Fifteen File Cup Challenges : America’s Cup: South Africa, Britain are among the entries.

Syndicates from South Africa and Britain and additional challenges from Russia and Spain were among the surprise entries as the deadline for the challengers to enter the 1995 America’s Cup passed, the San Diego Yacht Club board of directors announced late Thursday.

A last-minute flurry of entries boosted to 15 the number of potential challengers for the regatta, in which the successful challenger will meet the American defender in the best five-of-nine series beginning May 6, 1995, off the coast of San Diego.

Chuck Nichols, executive director of America’s Cup ‘95, said he was pleased by the strong show of interest, given the economic climate around the world and the grumblings from past participants about the amount of money poured into the event.

“It shows me the event has certainly increased in its international appeal,” Nichols said.

There were early indications that many of the 15 groups would file challenge applications, but given the steep entry fee--triple the cost of the 1992 event’s $25,000 fee--yacht club officials didn’t expect all the prospective applicants would follow through.

“You wonder how many will come through with a $75,000 entry fee,” Nichols said. “That’s not something you do without thinking about it.”

Apparently, some past challengers thought about and allowed the idea to pass. Missing from Thursday’s entries was New Zealand’s Sir Michael Fay, who headed the failed effort of the Kiwis in 1992.

However, New Zealand will be represented by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, under syndicate manager Peter Blake, who held the same position with Fay’s challenge earlier this year.

Of the 15 entries received, 11 have put up a non-refundable deposit of $75,000 and have met the America’s Cup Deed of Gift requirements. The remaining four entries have submitted the entry fee, but their applications are subject to acceptance upon verification of certain aspects of the challenge.

“The response to the call for challenges has been tremendous,” said Fred Delaney, San Diego Yacht Club Commodore. “With representatives from all parts of the globe, the challenger regatta is shaping up to be a highly exciting and charged event.”

Syd Fischer, whose Challenge of Australia effort in 1992 was an also ran, complained bitterly of high operating costs this year, yet filed his fee on behalf of the Australia Yacht Club, which is one of two Australian challenges.

The other was filed by Southern Cross Yacht Club Commodore John Bertrand, who ended the New York Yacht Club’s 132-year winning streak in 1983 when he skippered Australia II to an upset of Dennis Conner’s Liberty.

Yacht Club de France, with America’s Cup skipper Marc Pajot, and Spain issued challenges immediately after Bill Koch’s America 3 successfully defended the America’s Cup against Italy’s Il Moro di Venezia on May 16.

Raul Gardini, Il Moro’s syndicate head, filed an application under Europa’s Yacht Club. Vladimir Koulbida, who was behind Russia’s first Cup effort that never made it to the starting line in 1992, is among the 15 entries. It is one of two Russian entries. France and Spain also have multiple entries.

The application from the Royal Cape Yacht Club of South Africa was the first from that nation.

Great Britain’s entry marked that nation’s re-entry into the America’s Cup.