America's Cup officials confident of a crowd

By JULIE ASH

America's Cup officials are confident they will have at least 10 challengers in Valencia in 2007.

Less than two months before the first deadline, only six teams have signed up - BMW Oracle Racing, Emirates Team New Zealand, Italy's +39 and Team Luna Rossa, France's K-Challenge and South Africa's Team Shosholoza.

"We will certainly arrive to ten or twelve teams in the next year," Michel Bonnefous, head of America's Cup Management, told La Tribune de Geneve.

The first deadline for entry is December 17, by when teams have to pay a €1 million ($1.8 million) bond, €50,000 ($90,700) for the challengers' commission and US$25,000 ($36,350) for America's Cup Properties Incorporated. The second entry deadline is April 29, but a late fee of €200,000 is charged.

Probably five or six teams outside those confirmed as starters have a realistic chance of mounting a challenge, but it appears all are struggling to find sponsorship.

French challengers Le Defi have competed in the last two cups and are one of the eight teams now competing in pre-regatta races in Valencia.

Headed by Luc Gellusseau, Le Defi came to Valencia sporting a Renault logo on the hull of their race boat which led to speculation of a sponsorship deal.

But it now appears the company has done no more than lend cars to the syndicate.

Britain's GBR Challenge were relying on a major sponsorship deal with HSBC bank which fell through two weeks ago.

The San Francisco group Sausalito Challenge tried a different tack in their hunt for sponsorship by trying their luck on the web through the ebay motors site.

It appeared Sausalito were talking to Peoplesoft, a company Larry Ellison's Oracle is understood to be about to take over, but nothing has been announced.

Spain more than anyone needs a team in the regatta, as it is hosting the event.

A challenge called El Reto, headed by Agustin Zulueta - formerly of Bravo Espana - and Pedro Campos, could be Spain's best bet.

Sweden's Victory Challenge have been dormant since the last cup but are still pursuing sponsorship money and a German team, by the name of Fresh17 is also in the mix.

There may also still be life left in Vincenzo Onorato's Mascalzone Latino which made their cup debut in 2002.

Plenty of speculation surrounds New Zealand ace Russell Coutts. He is locked in a bitter dispute with his former boss, Alinghi head Ernesto Bertarelli, but if Coutts can manoeuvre his way out of that he could be the surprise package in the challenger series.

He has been reported as being keen to start his own syndicate or team with Paul Cayard, but time is ticking away, and either option is probably now a long shot.

"Mr America's Cup", Dennis Conner, and his famous Stars and Stripes syndicate are unlikely to be on the startline in 2007.

Conner, who has won and lost the America's Cup more than anyone in its 153-year history, has admitted his chances are not looking good.

"I don't have an extra US$200 million in my checking account," Conner told the San Diego Union Tribune.

"I would say that unless someone steps up soon, I will be retired. I simply cannot raise $200 million."

Yesterday's round of fleet racing in the third cup pre-regatta was postponed because of strong winds. Two races are scheduled overnight [NZT] on the final day of the event.

Defenders Alinghi have a one-point lead over Team New Zealand. Team Luna Rossa are third, ahead of BMW Oracle Racing, K-Challenge, Le Defi, Team Shosholoza and +39.

* Julie Ash was assisted to Valencia by Emirates Airline.