Cup Selection Timetable Changed

The committee representing America’s Cup challengers announced a revised timetable Monday for their selection series to determine which syndicate will compete for yachting’s most prestigious trophy.

The challenger of record committee’s action follows recent withdrawals of Japan’s Bengal Bay Yacht Club and Great Britain’s Port Pendennis Yacht Club, leaving 10 syndicates to compete next year.

The British Challenge’s withdrawal from the selection series, also called the Louis Vuitton Cup, will become official on Aug. 1 unless financial backers step forward before then, syndicate head Peter DeSavary has said.

“Because of the unfortunate withdrawal of probably two of our challengers and the current problems in Yugoslavia, which may cause a further withdrawal, a change in the first draft schedule for the Louis Vuitton Cup was required,” challenger committee executive director Ernie Taylor said.

“If the challengers remain at 10 or is reduced to nine, the Louis Vuitton Cup will commence at the earliest on Jan. 25, 1992. It is possible that further withdrawals will take place, and if there are only seven or eight participants the (series) could commence as late as Feb. 1, 1992.”

The committee also has decided to run two non-compulsory observation fleet regattas in late December and early January, Taylor said.

The winner of the challengers’ fleet racing series will oppose the winner of a separate defender’s series in the America’s Cup finals. That best-of-seven match racing series is scheduled to begin on May 9 off San Diego.