AMERICA’S CUP : Four Syndicates Gain Approval

The America’s Cup Organizing Committee announced Friday that it has endorsed four syndicates, among them one that plans to use the Beach Boys in its promotional campaign, and dropped five others from consideration to defend the America’s Cup in 1992.

All the groups approved are based in San Diego County and led by members of the host San Diego Yacht Club.

Those approved include a syndicate headed by veteran America’s Cup skipper Dennis Conner and another called the Beach Boys America.

The Beach Boys’ syndicate is headed by real estate developer David Lowry and Beach Boys President Elliott Lott.

Also approved were Isler Sailing International, led by Peter Isler, Conner’s former navigator, and Triumph America Foundation, headed by Larry Klein.

Among the five failing to receive approval were both syndicates that had planned to include women on their crews, San Diego-based Betsy Ross and Santa Cruz-based U.S. Women’s Defense Syndicate. Also rejected were Advance America of Old Bridge, N.J.,; the Christina Group of Beverly Farms, Mass.; and Yankee Syndicate of Cleveland.

Tom Ehman, ACOC general manager, said the groups dismissed had failed to meet the committee requirements set at a meeting in San Diego three weeks ago, which included written evidence of the ability to raise $6 million in sponsorship by the end of the year and a $150,000 performance bond.