San Diego
San Diego Mayor Maureen O’Connor was denied a chance Wednesday to argue in court against a two-boat race for the America’s Cup next fall.
She flew cross-country to appeal last month’s New York State Supreme Court decision, which ordered the San Diego Yacht Club to meet New Zealand’s surprise challenge in huge boats with 90-foot waterlines. The match could cost San Diego, proposed site of a multinational 1991 Cup regatta, more than $1 billion in lost revenues if the Cup were lost.
But O’Connor was barred from speaking before Justice Carmen Ciparick because the city had failed in court papers to request time for oral arguments. She flew home in the afternoon and city officials said she probably will not return Monday, when the arguments were scheduled.
The city wants to take the case to the appellate level on grounds that loss of the Cup in the unexpected challenge would injure the city. Conner’s Sail America Foundation and the San Diego Yacht Club have indicated they will not appeal and are preparing to defend the Cup in September.
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