Bertrand Sails to Comeback Victory

Dennis Conner’s Stars & Stripes--no not that Stars & Stripes--opened the United States series of the World Yachting Grand Prix with a victory Friday on San Diego Bay.

John Bertrand, Conner’s tactician and alternate helmsman, sailed Conner’s Formula One yacht into a comfortable lead after trailing Scottish Enterprise for the first two legs of the 10-mile course, held in 12- to 20-knot winds.

“We tried to sail high and fast and got some very nice lifts and got stronger and stronger,” Bertrand said.

Scottish Enterprise and Beck’s, a German boat, were disqualified after a finish-line scuffle in which the Scots boat tried to force the German boat away from the finish line and the two boats touched. Another collision followed seconds later, when Beck’s ran into the stern of Scottish Enterprise at the two boats turned toward the line. Damage was minimal.

Finishing second was Hawasta, another German boat, with Olympic gold medalist Joerg Diesch at the helm.

Bertrand trailed Scottish Enterprise around the first weather mark, dropped to third at the leeward mark after a spinnaker collapsed, then sailed back into contention on the next weather leg.

Racing continues at 11 a.m. today near the Holiday Inn on the Bay. Boats sail as far down as Coronado.