By JULIE ASH
Funny how words can come back to bite you.
Dennis Conner sailed out of America's Cup contention yesterday, possibly for the last time.
The 60-year-old plans to consult his wife, Daintry, and friends before making firm plans for his sailing future.
And while the phrase was not uttered at Conner's conciliatory
media conference last night, many mused about another famous press conference - the one back in 1988 where Conner told Kiwi KZ1 designer Bruce Farr: "You're a loser, now get off the stage."
Down 0-3 in the best-of-seven series, Team Dennis Conner left the dock yesterday morning to the sound of Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run.
But they trailed fellow Americans OneWorld around every mark, and lost by one minute, giving OneWorld a 0-4 win in the quarterfinal repechage of the challenger series. Conner's only hope of a last life in this regatta is a legal challenge lodged against OneWorld.
Sweden's Victory Challenge were also eliminated from the racing, losing to Prada by the same margin.
"I am sorry we didn't do better for our fans," said a disappointed Conner.
"We were up against a very well-sailed boat and I'd like to congratulate Peter Gilmour and James Spithill for a job well done."
Conner won the America's Cup four times, in 1974, 1980, 1987 and 1988. He lost it in 1983 and 1995, but his competitive endurance has won him new respect over the years.
"I think Dennis has this in his blood," said long-time friend and team tactician Tom Whidden. "He likes to sail, and I think he would have a tough time not coming back."
The America's Cup Arbitration panel meets next week to hear evidence in Team Dennis Conner and Prada's claim that OneWorld be thrown out of the event for using other teams' design information. If it ejects OneWorld, Team Dennis Conner may get a lifeline.
"We are going to stay together until we see the results."
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