Veteran America's Cup skipper Dennis Conner will sail his first race of the challenger series today when he helms Stars and Stripes against Mascalzone Latino.
Conner, 60, has not sailed in a cup race since the early rounds of the last Louis Vuitton Cup three years ago.
Hesaid before the challenger series started that, while he would love to sail USA66, he would not be on the boat if he thought it would harm his team's chances.
"I am under no illusions here at the effort it takes and the level of preparedness, and I think it would be a big disservice to my crew if I attempt to sail the boat," he said last month.
Regular helmsman Ken Read has been rested for this morning's race, but is on the crew list for Stars and Stripes' race against Oracle later today.
Team Dennis Conner, representing the New York Yacht Club, are favoured to beat the Italian team, with Mascalzone having won just one race so far.
