Stripes, N.Z. Enter Finals 4-0

FREMANTLE, Australia —  Dennis Conner’s Stars & Stripes sped to a 43-second victory over U.S.A. and New Zealand dealt the final blow to French Kiss to advance to the finals in the America’s Cup challenger series.

Conner, the 44-year-old San Diego helmsman who lost the trophy to Australia in 1983, and Chris Dickson, at 25 the confident but brash skipper leading his country’s first Cup quest, wrapped up the four-out-of-seven series without a loss. They will meet in the challenger finals Jan. 13.