THE SIDELINES : 3 Groups in America’s Cup Trials

Three U.S. syndicates were approved as official defense candidates for the next America’s Cup by event organizers, who also have a television package for the 1992 regatta.

Beach Boys USA, Team Dennis Conner and the reorganized Triumph America were confirmed Monday by the San Diego Yacht Club’s defense committee as the only groups still eligible to compete in defender trials. Representatives of those syndicates met with the defense committee and demonstrated that each has raised at least $5 million of their projected budgets, which range between $20 million and $25 million. The winner will represent the United States under the banner of the defending San Diego Yacht Club in the 28th defense of the America’s Cup.

The ESPN cable network has signed an agreement with the America’s Cup Organizing Committee for the domestic and partial North American rights to telecast more than 100 hours of trials and final series, officials said.