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New Zealand lodges America's Cup challenge

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) Emirates Team New Zealand has filed a challenge for the 35th America's Cup ahead of Friday's deadline.

The challenge was announced at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, which backs the sailing team.

Team New Zealand took a soul-crushing loss in the 2013 America's Cup, blowing an 8-1 lead and allowing Oracle Team USA to win the final eight races to retain the oldest trophy in international sports.

Other teams expected to enter are Britain's Ben Ainslie Racing, Italy's Luna Rossa Challenge, Sweden's Artemis Challenge and Team France.

America's Cup officials won't officially announce challengers until the teams have been vetted. Once accepted, teams must pay the first $1 million installment of the $2 million entry fee for the 2017 regatta.

Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton says the Kiwis ''look forward to working with the other teams to create a great event.''

The Kiwis have clashed with Russell Coutts, a New Zealander who is CEO of Oracle Team USA and director of the America's Cup Event Authority. Coutts uninvited Team New Zealand from a recent competitors meeting in London because he felt it didn't want to work within the published protocol.

The Kiwis are known to oppose Bermuda as a potential venue to host the challenger semifinals and finals, and America's Cup match.

Bermuda is competing against San Diego to host the final rounds of racing. Coutts will pick a venue in the coming months.