America’s Cup Target of Threatening Letters

Life went on as normal at the America’s Cup after a public warning from anti-terror police at Auckland, New Zealand, after letters containing cyanide crystals and white powder were seized by postal workers.

The threatening letters, addressed to the U.S. Embassy and the British and Australian High Commissions in the capital of Wellington, referred to “actions” that could occur if Iraq was attacked. The letters mentioned the America’s Cup races. Police said a small quantity of cyanide was in one of the letters, but wouldn’t identify which diplomatic mission received that letter.

Enough cyanide to kill 20 people was sent in a threatening letter to the U.S. Embassy shortly before the New Zealand golf open in January 2002.

Police could not rule out the possibility that the latest letters were sent by the same person, as “there are enough similarities to raise in our minds a link,” said assistant commissioner Jon White, head of New Zealand’s counterterror squad.

The powder in the three letters was tested for anthrax, but none was found, White said.

Wednesday was a scheduled day off at the America’s Cup, which has been stalled for more than a week by uncooperative weather on the Hauraki Gulf. The last American yacht was eliminated in January. Two Americans sail for Alinghi of Switzerland, which has a 3-0 lead over Team New Zealand. One of the Kiwi boat designers is an American.

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Tennis

Argentina’s Gaston Gaudio defeated Spain’s David Sanchez, 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, in the Mexican Open at Mexico City.

Spain’s Felix Mantilla upset fifth-seeded Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (1), while Peru’s Luis Horna beat Ecuador’s Nicolas Lapetti, 6-2, 6-1. On the women’s side, Italy’s Flavia Pennetta beat Spain’s Paula Garcia, 6-3, 6-2, while Spain’s Marta Marrero beat Venezuelan Milagros Sequera, 6-1, 6-2.

Kenneth Carlsen, Martin Verkerk and Mario Ancic were upset in the first round of the Copenhagen Open at Denmark.

Fifth-seeded Carlsen was ousted by Switzerland’s Michel Kratochvil, 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-4.

Sixth-seeded Verkerk lost to Anthony Dupois, 6-4, 6-4, and qualifier Tomas Behrend beat seventh-seeded Mario Ancic, 6-4, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2).

Pro Football

The St. Louis Rams will pay quarterback Kurt Warner a

$6-million roster bonus by Friday’s deadline, the team’s president of football operations said.

“Kurt’s getting the full $6 million,” Jay Zygmunt told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

There had been speculation that because of Warner’s age (31) and his potential impact on the salary cap, coupled with backup Marc Bulger’s rising status, the team might trade one of the quarterbacks.

Denver cut starters Chester McGlockton, Kavika Pittman and Denard Walker as the team trimmed payroll before the free-agent signing period.... Detroit released receiver Germane Crowell and kick returner Desmond Howard.... Baltimore signed guard Edwin Mulitalo to a seven-year contract.

Miscellany

Ice dancers Loren Galler-Rabinowitz and David Mitchell of the U.S. won their qualifying group at the Junior World Figure Skating Championships at Ostrava, Czech Republic. In the men’s competition, Evan Lysacek of Chicago was in first place after the short program.

Two-time U.S. champion Tasha Schwikert withdrew from Saturday’s American Cup gymnastics competition at Fairfax, Va., because she hasn’t recovered from arthroscopic ankle surgery. She will be replaced by Annia Hatch.

Formula One denounced complaints about new rules by two of the sport’s biggest teams as “vague claims and confused criticisms.”

With less than two weeks before the season’s first race, International Automobile Federation President Max Mosley sent a letter to the Williams and McLaren teams. He accused them of acting irresponsibly by contesting the changes.

McLaren and Williams, along with Ferrari, are the wealthiest teams in F1. The two are upset that many of the changes made by the federation will take away their advantage in high-priced technology.

The UCLA women’s basketball regular-season finale against Oregon Saturday will start at 2 p.m.

The game time was changed from noon to accommodate Fox Sports Net.

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T.J. Simers is on assignment playing poker.