Yachting: Conner denied third title in a row

America's Cup yachting legend Dennis Conner flew from the United States to Auckland for the weekend just to defend his Auckland Etchells-class championship title, but got pipped at the post by an old arch-rival.

Conner looked to have sewn up the regatta at Pine Harbour yesterday, but rival cup skipper Chris Dickson toppled him in the final race, denying Conner a third straight title.

The regatta of three-man boats took on the face of a mini-America's Cup, with a handful of cup sailors among the fleet.

Herald Online feature: America's Cup