Soviet Syndicate Unhappy With Assignment to Mission Bay

The challengers are seeing red, but the America’s Cup Organizing Committee could be turning red before the final chapter is closed on the debate over whether a syndicate from the Soviet Union has received fair treatment in its bid to race.

The Leningrad Yacht Club’s Red Star Syndicate, one of 12 challengers attending a weekend conference in San Diego, has been cleared by the ACOC to put a boat in the water for the first round-robin trials races, scheduled for February, 1992. But for now, the Soviets won’t be permitted to dock their boat in San Diego Bay like the others.

A Soviet representative, speaking for the first time on the issue, said Saturday the San Diego-based ACOC recently struck a “compromise” with the U.S. Port Security Commission and assigned Mission Bay as Red Star’s base.

“We’re disappointed with that,” said Doug Smith, the San Diego representative who went on to criticize the ACOC’s decision and methods. Smith said the ACOC failed to discuss its position with the Soviet group before it initially agreed to the ban July 23.

“I was a bit miffed that ACOC would make a proposal like that without first making me privy to that information,” Smith said. “I decided to take issue with it. We’ve been in touch with the highest levels of government in Washington. The word is getting out.”

San Diego is one of 12 U.S. ports closed to vessels from certain Eastern Bloc countries because of its sensitive military installations. The Soviet Union has 12 ports closed to the United States as part of an apparent joint security agreement. But Smith said conflicting statements he has received from two high-ranking Navy officials involved in the decision have left him confused and determined to seek clarification.

Smith said one official told him the ACOC’s edict was based merely on the joint security policy. The other said the policy did not apply, only the concerns of the city, the Coast Guard and the Navy.

Smith said the Soviet yachtsmen will be allowed to participate in all activities related to the America’s Cup, many of which will take place in San Diego Bay.

“We told (government officials) they would be more than welcome to inspect the vessel at any time, whether it be announced or unannounced,” Smith said. “And if they decided it’s in their best interest, they can place an observer on that boat. So far (the proposal has) fallen on deaf ears.”

Stan Reid, chairman of the regatta committee, the organizer of challenging syndicates, said his group will consider taking action if alternatives are not considered for the Soviets.

“We haven’t taken any action yet,” Reid said. “But it’s something that we’re going to have to think about. I’m staying in San Diego the next few days, and I hopefully will meet with some of the authorities who have placed those restrictions on them. Should I have the opportunity, I will make the point.”