Yachting: Golden Gate join race for America's Cup

San Francisco's Golden Gate Yacht Club will mount the 10th challenge for the America's Cup, the holders of the "Auld Mug," the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, confirmed today.

The Golden Gate club, who will be partnered by Oracle Racing Team, paid an entry fee of $US300,000 ($NZ702,000) - double that of other challengers who entered the race for the cup prior to a deadline in March.

The final date for entries is March 1, 2002.

Two challenges have been received from the United States, two from Italy, and one each from Switzerland, Germany, Britain, Sweden and France.

The winner of a challenger series will take on cup defenders Team New Zealand in early 2003.

- REUTERS

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