18 File America’s Cup Challenges

Eighteen challengers representing 10 countries have applied to compete in the 1991 America’s Cup, to be held in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego, it was announced in San Diego Sunday.

Entry forms were received by the Saturday deadline from five Australian yacht clubs, three Japanese clubs, three from France and one each from England, West Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Canada and Spain.

A $25,000 application fee accompanied each form.

But Sail America, the syndicate managing the America’s Cup, acknowledged that the race’s fate remains uncertain because of a pending court challenge by a New Zealand millionaire, Michael Fay.

Fay wants to force the San Diego Yacht Club, the current Cup holder, to face just one competitor, the Mercury Bay Boating Club of Auckland, New Zealand, rather than have trial heats open to all nations.

The yacht clubs seeking to challenge Stars & Stripes in 1991 are:

Claremont Yacht Club, Cruising Yacht Club, Royal Perth Yacht Club, Royal Sydney Yacht Club, Royal Queensland Yacht Club, Australia; Akita Agricultural College Yacht Club, Bengal Bay Club Challenge, Nippon Ocean Racing Club, Japan; Deutsche America’s Cup Verein, West Germany; Royal Burnham Yacht Club, England; Royal Danish Yacht Club, Denmark; Societe Nautique de Sete, Yacht Club D’Europe, Yacht Club de Nice, France; Stenungsbaden Yacht Club, Sweden; Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Italy; Secret Cove Yacht Club, Canada, and Club Puerto Sherry, Spain.