Fay Insists on San Diego as America’s Cup Site

New Zealand’s Michael Fay rejected the Sail America Foundation’s plans to stage the America’s Cup off Long Beach in September and insisted that the races be held in San Diego.

“The real reason for this announcement by Sail America is to put the challenger at a disadvantage,” Fay said from Auckland. “It is consistent with their previously declared intent to ‘jimmy the rules,’ disregard the Deed of Gift and try to guarantee themselves a victory.”

At issue reportedly is the design of the New Zealand boat, which is expected to perform better in the lighter wind off San Diego in the fall. The Long Beach winds at that time of the year are generally stronger. Fay did not directly mention court action to put the races in San Diego, but said, “after consideration of racing sites around the world, we saw no reason to move the races out of that city.”