America3 Near Extinction

America3 was pushed within one race of elimination from the America’s Cup, and an international jury was to decide whether Dennis Conner could sail on in the regatta.

Kevin Mahaney’s Young America, which has clinched the first spot in the Citizen Cup defender finals, won by 1:11 over America3’s Mighty Mary.

That kept Conner’s Stars & Stripes ahead of Mighty Mary 3-2 with three racing days left. Mighty Mary’s only remaining race is against Stars & Stripes on Friday. Conner could lock up the finals spot by beating Young America today.

On shore, America3 officials raised several questions about Conner being allowed to change his damaged keel in the middle of the semifinals.