America’s Cup Trials : South Australia Wins and Is Sold
South Australia’s America’s Cup effort is so impoverished that it has sold its 12-meter to a Swedish syndicate for money to continue the current campaign.
The Swedes, who plan to use the boat in 1990, must be pleased with the sale. Wednesday, South Australia upset one-time cup favorite Australia IV by 1 minute 36 seconds, demoting Alan Bond’s top boat to third place in the final match of the second defender series.
In other races, Kookaburra II edged Australia III by 24 seconds, and first-place Kookaburra III trounced Steak ‘n Kidney by 3:18.
South Australia’s upset coincided with the announcement by the South Australia syndicate that the group had sold the boat to keep the campaign alive. South Australia had been expected to withdraw.
The Swedish group is headed by Pelle Petterson, who masterminded Cup challenges in 1977 and 1980 for the Royal Sweden Yacht Club.
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