Q & A / DENNIS CONNER : 'I Have My Work Cut Out For Me'

But if you just want to win a sailboat race, it's Conner.

Cherish whatever you get of the other qualities, because with Conner you never know. DC may not light up a room; he just energizes it. Like a live grenade.

He told ESPN last week, "Probably 'big, bad Dennis' is not the way it really is in real life. I have a good sense of humor, and I really do enjoy people.

"But when you deal with the public and the media you have to learn to distance yourself somewhat and have your guard up, because someone will take advantage of you."

Bill Koch is trying to take advantage of Dennis. If money were water, Dennis would be left high and dry as Koch sailed off to meet the America's Cup sunrise on his own private pond.

They start their defender trials Tuesday with Conner the underdog, four boats to one.

"I'm not whining or crying," he says. "I'm going to play the game as hard as I can. I have a few things going for myself, too."

Sounds as if Conner has Koch right where he wants him.

Q: Considering Koch's multi-boat advantage, how do you expect him to sail the series, strategically?

Conner: "I guess he could sink me, then he'd have the whole thing to himself."

Q: He says you still owe him a ride on Stars & Stripes he bought for $1,000 at a fund-raising auction.

Conner: "Anytime he wants. I've already invited him several times. I don't have any secrets. They watch me every day with their helicopter. There's nothing they're gonna learn that they don't already know."

Q: Apparently, lacking a trial horse, you have been trying to learn things about the other boats.

Conner: "Not really."

Q: Then what was the Swedish masquerade with the blond wig about?

Conner: "It was a joke. Yeah, I really thought I could disguise my boat and all of my crew."

Q: The challengers didn't seem to appreciate your joke.

Conner: "How about the employee that's getting paid to be the mouthpiece? (Challenger of Record Committee Chairman) Stan Reid's just an employee. Don't get him confused with the challengers. There's no one upset with me."

Q: Well . . . New Zealand skipper Rod Davis didn't seem amused, either.

Conner: "Rod Davis used to be an American . . . couldn't cut it in America. I don't lose any sleep about Rod Davis. I have to beat Bill Koch before I worry about anybody else."

Q: With the wig, I thought you looked more like Koch. It seems now that he's going to be your trial horse, whether he wants to be or not.

Conner: "Or vice versa."

Q: When does the Conner mystique--the Conner psyche--become a factor?

Conner: "I haven't seen that going around this time. Bill Koch's a mature adult. I like Bill Koch. I'm a fan of Bill Koch."

Q: You wanted him to compete against. But did you think he would be this strong?

Conner: "Absolutely. I think he's good for the Cup. San Diego is darn lucky to have him."

Q: Is he too strong?

Conner: "How can he be \o7 too\f7 strong? I want the best American to win this event. If that's Bill Koch, more power to him."

Q: If he beats you, will you help him against the challenger?

Conner: "Absolutely. I think he's done a darn good job. He's certainly added more than any single individual on the American side for a long, long time."

Q: One edge you have is your veteran crew. Why do they keep coming back?

Conner: "It's not for the money. They must enjoy it. They must be happy."

Q: Are you a good boss? Your crew says you never yell or scream.

Conner: "I'm not too long on the compliments, either. I guess the bottom line is that they enjoy the experience. In spite of what the media might think, I have a very wicked sense of humor, and so does (tactician) Tom (Whidden). For whatever reason, they feel they're part of an intimate family. We really like each other. It's a bonding.

"But the thing about our guys is that they're winners. We're already winners. We're not training to be winners. Nine of these guys have won the America's Cup. They know how to win. They've been through some tough times together. It's like going to war. When you start spending 17 hours a day, 31 days a month for 17 months in a row, together, you have a very special relationship."

Q: Are you aloof from the crew?

Conner: "I'm one of the guys."

Q: What is the mood as the races approach?

Conner: "We've all been there. I've sailed in, what--140 trial races? After you've been to the starting line 140 times . . ."

Q: Do you still get fired up?

Conner: "It'll probably be there come next Tuesday, but right now I don't have too many butterflies."

Q: Are you confident?

Conner: "I know I have my work cut out for me."

Q: Less confident than in other campaigns when your resources were more evenly matched?

Conner: "Not necessarily. I certainly knew I was in trouble in 1983 racing against Australia (II). She'd won 48 races out of 49."