A Day at the Races? For Many It’s Simply A Wednesday at Work

This might just be another Wednesday to you, another hump day, another 24 hours that must pass in the weekend interim, but, mind you, this day is historic: Today San Diego is host of its first America’s Cup race, abbreviated as it might be.

The high noon sailing showdown in the waters off Point Loma--pitting the New Zealand against the Star & Stripes--marks the first time that sailing’s most coveted trophy has been contested on the West Coast in the Cup’s 137-year history. In fact, this is the first time in this country that Cup competition has ever taken place west of New York.

So what are local folks doing to commemorate such a momentous occasion? With some exceptions, apparently not much.

An informal Times poll of local VIPs, politicians and average working stiffs reveals that, while everyone is aware of the race, few will have the opportunity to do anything about it. A Wednesday, after all, is still a Wednesday, and for most that means business as usual.

Asked to reply to the question “What are your plans for the first day of the America’s Cup races?” the responses were as follows:

Bob Emery, mayor of Poway (and a social studies teacher at Hidden Valley Middle School in Escondido): “The America’s Cup will be way down on my priority list. I’ll be teaching Wednesday. It’s the second day of the school year.”

Bob Burgreen, acting police chief: “I have a Police Department to run, so I won’t be watching any of the America’s Cup. Wednesday is going to be a day full of meetings.”

Lee Grissom, president of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce: “It’s my birthday, and I have been a friend of Dennis Conner’s since the first day of the first grade, so most of my day will be spent at the race, although not on the water. I’ll spend most of the afternoon at the America’s Cup Task Force headquarters.”

Brian Bilbray, county supervisor: “I’m giving a talk in Bonita on the America’s Cup, then I have a couple of meetings to attend.

After that, I’m going to head to the race.”

George Bailey, county supervisor: “Wednesday will be business as usual for me. I have a regular board meeting scheduled, but I’m having the race taped so I’ll get a chance to see it anyway.”

Tom Page, president of San Diego Gas & Electric Co.: “Business will keep me from watching the America’s Cup, but I expect exciting races. They’ll mark a new era of sailing competition that will continue to demand the best innovative technologies and top human performance.”

Clair Burgener, retired congressman: “I’ll be conducting a state Personnel Board hearing in Sacramento. (Burgener is president of the board.) We have an all-day hearing and meeting. I will be attending the second race on Friday. In fact, quite a few of the board members from San Diego Trust & Savings Bank will be there that day.”

Edwin Miller, district attorney: “I happen to be the current chairman of the country’s Executive Working Group--a combination of six prosecutors, six attorney generals and six members of the Department of Justice. Wednesday we will be holding our meeting in Washington, D.C., and I’ll be chairing that meeting. On Friday, though, we’re going out on a Coast Guard boat to watch the second match.”

John Duffy, county sheriff: “I have numerous business meetings scheduled throughout Wednesday. I’ve had a couple of offers to go out to view the race, but I will not be able to take advantage of those offers because I’ll be busy throughout the entire week.”

Author Hughes, president of University of San Diego: “I have a boat, but I don’t plan to go out and watch from it. It’s a work day, so I’ll be working like everybody else, I suppose. I am interested in the race, and I plan to watch as much as I can on television.”

Richard Huffman, Superior Court judge: “I certainly have an interest in the America’s Cup, but unfortunately I will be in court working.”

Suzanne Strassburger, executive director of the Escondido Visitors and Convention Bureau: “The first race starts at 12 noon Wednesday, and my staff and I are going to be working. But we’ll be here giving out America’s Cup information to people who come by or call for it. We’ll also be telling people about things to do in North County while they are here.”

Father Joe Carroll, president of the St. Vincent de Paul Center: “Basically I have a full day Wednesday. I have a St. Vincent’s board meeting in the morning and an affair in L.A. in the evening. I may go to part of the race activities for a little while to see what’s going on.”

Maureen O’Connor, mayor of San Diego: “Wednesday will be a very busy day, so I won’t be in attendance at any America’s Cup activities. The morning will keep me busy with a series of meetings on city issues. Later I will chair an important (City Council) Rules Committee meeting, where we will discuss financing badly needed improvements for Balboa Park.”

Kim Fletcher, chairman of Home Federal Savings & Loan: “I’m going to go out to the America’s Cup, like several hundred other people are, to see the race. I’ll be going out on a boat with some friends from the Yacht Club.”

Debbie O’Reilly, law clerk: “I’m going to work late to miss all of the traffic, because I live in the Pacific Beach area and I don’t want to be bothered with all of the race enthusiasts who will be in my area.”

Sen. Pete Wilson (R-Calif.): “Unfortunately, my legislative schedule prohibits me from being able to attend any America’s Cup activities. I will be on the Senate floor all day long.”

Sen. Alan Cranston (D-Calif.): “I’ll be working on the nation’s business in Washington. However, I have confidence that Dennis Conner will take care of the nation’s business in the America’s Cup.”

William Murray, novelist and New Yorker magazine staff writer: “I’m going to be sitting at my desk working on a couple of books and then I’ll go to the Del Mar Race Track, as I always do on days the track is open, and pick some winning horses. I’m totally uninterested in the America’s Cup. I believe it is a farce.”