Yachting: Nine confirm for cup battle

Nine yacht clubs have lodged challenges for the next America's Cup, to be sailed off Auckland in February 2003.

The challengers met the $US150,000 ($346,350) entry fee by Thursday's 5 pm deadline.

A 10th challenge, from America's Oracle Racing Syndicate, which has hired New Zealander Chris Dickson, is still expected but they will have to pay the late entry fee of $US300,000.

An 11th entry, probably from Spain, is a possibility.

Confirmed challengers are Italy (two), United States (two), Switzerland, Germany, Britain, France and Sweden.

The challengers will race for the Louis Vuitton Cup from late next year until early 2003. The winners will then battle Team New Zealand for the America's Cup in a best-of-nine series starting on February 15.

Confirmed entries for challenger series: Yacht Club Punta Ala (Prada syndicate) Italy, Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia (syndicate to be advised) Italy, Seattle Yacht Club (One World) United States, New York Yacht Club (Stars and Stripes) US, Societe Nautique de Geneve (Swiss Challenge) Switzerland, Dusseldorf Yacht Club (Illbruck Challenge) Germany, Union Nationale pour la Dourse au Large (Le Defi) France, Royal Ocean Racing Club Britannia (GBR Challenge) Britain, Gamla Stans Yacht Sallskap (Victory Challenge) Sweden.

- NZPA

Herald Online feature: America's Cup