Who’s Shipshape? : Taking an Early Look at the Competition for America’s Cup Race in October

A 12-meter sailboat with a rudder in the bow and another with a “double chin” and a “torpedo transom” are only a couple of the aberrations that may surface when America’s Cup competition starts off Perth in October.

But who’s to laugh? Remember the winged keel.

Gary Jobson, the world-class sailor who will be ESPN’s analyst for the America’s Cup, has toured the camps and says the Golden Gate Challenge’s second new boat, to be christened June 24, is “really different.”

The nameless boat is designated R-1 or, playfully, “R2D2.” Not only is it rumored to have a rudder up front but, according to Jobson, “a very different kind of keel.”

Golden Gate general manager Ron Young wouldn’t confirm or deny the rumors. He just laughed.

“But it is revolutionary, no question about it,” Young said. “Like nothing you ever saw. As high-tech as there is.”

However, Britain’s second Crusader is anything but conventional. An elongated, overhanging “torpedo transom” gives it a 75-foot length, about 10 feet longer than the usual 12-meter. The gimmick is that the overhang doesn’t count against the 12-meter rating because it’s not part of the waterline--until the boat heels going upwind. Then, theoretically, the longer waterline provides a significant advantage.

The boat, which also has what has been called a “double chin” for a bow, is due to be launched late this month. The skipper-tactician will be Harold Cudmore, who won the Congressional Cup off Long Beach in March.

But Jobson doesn’t believe either Golden Gate or Crusader will reach next January’s final-four round from the current field of 12 foreign challengers.

“You’d have to say Dennis Conner will be there,” Jobson said, “and probably John Kolius with America II (New York) because they’ve worked so long and hard. (Eagle’s Rod) Davis could make it, Buddy (Melges of Chicago’s Heart of America) could make it, and New Zealand has a good shot.”

Jobson rates Conner’s Sail America program slightly ahead of America II.

“Then there’s a gap, with Chicago, Davis and (Golden Gate’s Tom) Blackaller pretty close, with Blackaller maybe a little behind the others.”

Jobson gives Courageous, the highly modified defender of the Cup in 1974 and ‘77, little chance.

“Of the six American syndicates, five are doing great,” Jobson said. “I’d put Courageous way down, the old boat bends so much on the water. (Skipper Peter) Isler’s the strongest thing going for them.”

Isler thinks he’d have a better chance if his syndicate would buy one of the extra new boats from Conner or America II.

Jobson was Melges’ tactician until he resigned recently to work full time with ESPN’s advance coverage. Melges still hasn’t named a replacement, but Jobson thought Dennis Durgan would be an ideal choice.

Durgan, who was Conner’s tactician on Freedom’s successful defense in ‘80, recently resigned from Golden Gate.

“That’s exactly the kind of guy Buddy needs,” Jobson said. “Buddy’s good in heavy weather, but he’s new at keel boats and new at match racing.”

The French, Canadian and Italian syndicates also fall short in match-racing experience, Jobson said, but that’s where New Zealand, with young Chris Dickson, and Britain, with Harold Cudmore, appear strong.

Conner has been keeping a low profile in Hawaii, but Jobson was impressed by his program, despite recent reports of dissension in the camp and a desperate appeal for funds mailed to members of affiliated yacht clubs last week.

Conner wrote that his third new boat, Stars & Stripes ‘87, due in July, “promises to be the fastest 12-meter ever built . . . (but) frankly, we don’t have the money to pay for her.”

This marks the moment of truth for all those 40-odd clubs that took a short-cut to be part of Conner’s America’s Cup campaign a couple of years ago.

Jobson said that, besides finances, “My impression is that Dennis is doing pretty well. I spent a day as his tactician. He seemed pretty relaxed. But his ’85 boat is faster than his ’86.”

As for the Newport Harbor Yacht Club’s hopes with Eagle, Jobson said: “I think this kid (tactician Doug) Rastello is a real plus, a good thinker.”

Rastello, 34, is a year younger than Jobson.

“I just hope they’re not putting too much pressure on Rod Davis in trying to do too much with public relations, fund-raising, running the boat and sailing,” Jobson said.

America’s Cup Notes Gary Jobson, who was tactician on Courageous for Ted Turner’s successful defense in ‘77, will defend his Liberty Cup match racing title in New York Harbor June 18-22. Eagle crewman Hart Jordan will be his bowman. In a prelude celebrity event, Jobson will be tactician for the Chicago Bears’ Willie Gault. . . . Golden Gate’s first USA boat has been practicing on the open ocean outside the bay. “It’s rougher than Perth out there,” general manager Ron Young said.