Admiral's Cup challenge in need of funds

Sailing

The British challenge for the Champagne Mumm Admiral's Cup next month appeared to be in a state of collapse last night as the Scottish backers for the biggest of the trio of boats warned they may have to pull out, writes Stuart Alexander.

Stephen Baird's Regatta Team Scotland is the only group to have come forward with a big boat, the 47-footer Numbers, but the team's spokesman, Duncan McLeod, said that if they could not find any sponsorship by this weekend they would withdraw. So far no interest has been shown.

"I wish they had told us earlier," said the chairman of selectors, Robin Aisher. "Now it's a question of phoning up your friends around the world to see what's available."

A group of Royal Ocean Racing Club members is thought to be ready to back a 40ft boat but, with the first race a month away, any effort would be makeshift. The only boat to qualify so far is the Mumm 36, Group 4, but the rules require three- boat teams in the size categories specified.