SAILING : Conner May Decline to Race New Zealand in Semifinals

SAN DIEGO — Awaiting Dennis Conner’s decision, the sailing community twists in this seaport’s fickle winds--breezes that Conner sometimes seems to generate.

Will he or won’t he?

Conner qualified for the semifinals of the first International America’s Cup Class World Championship by finishing third in the fleet-racing phase Wednesday but indicated afterward that he might not compete.

Conner must announce his decision by 9 this morning.

The match racing starts Friday with two semifinal races. Italy’s two Il Moro di Venezia boats will meet in one; New Zealand will race Conner or the fifth-place Nippon Challenge in the other. The winners meet Saturday for the title.

Conner said: “At this point our indication is that we set out to learn a lot about the competition and how our boat fit in with the fleet.

“We feel we’ve accomplished our major goal of sorting that out, and I’d say at this point we’re leaning to passing on the final competition. As most of you know, we have some limited resources, primarily in the area of sails.”

With those limited resources--including a new, untested boat--Conner was reluctant even to sail in the event but finished sixth, fourth, fourth and second (Wednesday) among nine boats and was leading Tuesday by three-quarters of a mile when the time-limit ran out.

“If we had to make the decision right now we’d pass and wish the Japanese good luck with our spot,” Conner said.

Nippon skipper Chris Dickson said, “We’d certainly welcome the opportunity. One thing that does concern me is that there’s a party tonight and my crew was on an alcohol ban--so, D.C., let’s not take too long on the decision.”

“He’s not going to sail,” Dickson said. “He’s learned all he’s needed to know . . . (and) he doesn’t want a Kiwi showdown right now.”

Because the two Il Moros--one driven by Paul Cayard, the other by John Kolius--are compelled to sail against each other in the semifinals, Conner would have to meet New Zealand.

Wounds from that bitter, litigious matchup in 1988 pitting Conner’s catamaran against the Kiwis’ big monohull haven’t healed. If they must be re-opened, the real America’s Cup in ’92 may be a better time.

But another consideration is that if Conner pulls out, there will be no American boat competing, and Conner said a few days ago that he considered himself to be the “host” skipper for the event.

“I’d like to do everything I can to support the event,” he said.

“But my first consideration and our mission all along is to have the overall picture in mind, and I don’t want to do anything silly at this point to jeopardize what few assets I have left.”