Keelhauled: Unsportsmanlike Conduct and the America's Cup

Though the America's Cup race began as a competition between two yacht clubs, it has popularly been seen as a contest between nations. For most of its 135 years, it was a genteel sport pursued by wealthy individuals; recently, it has become a caldron of corporate intrigue, and in 1983, according to Riggs, plunged to the nadir of sportsmanship. The author covered that race for the Providence Journal; here, he reviews the history of Cup competition, focusing on the changes since 1970 and, specifically, on the events of 1983. Riggs catalogues attempted sabotage, theft, spying, false press releases, psychological warfare, rule-bending and -breaking, manipulation of the media. He concludes that the New York Yacht Club was victimized by the Australian team and by a too-credulous press; that the NYYC was willing to engage in private deception, but balked at the public lie. Riggs also looks at preparations for the next race, to be held in 1987 in Australia. Photos. (May 15)