Canada II May Be Cup Field Surprise So Far

Eleven days before the first round of racing starts off Western Australia, the America’s Cup challengers are sizing up one another with practice races and test sailing.

Reports from Perth indicate that the surprise boat of the group is Canada II, which is by far the most impressive of the updated old boats, with Olympic Finn class bronze medalist Terry Neilson at the helm.

Canada II “obviously is a strong challenger,” said Eagle skipper Rod Davis.

Eagle, the Newport Harbor Yacht Club entry, also sailed with Golden Gate’s radical U.S.A. boat, which has a a six-foot rudder just aft of the leading edge of the bow, quite visible when the boat lifts off a wave.

In straight-line testing, Eagle, using its practice sails, seemed to be quicker than U.S.A. upwind but slower downwind until the breeze freshened, when Eagle pulled away slightly.

The winds over the Indian Ocean race course have been erratic in velocity and direction and the weather is cold, overcast or rainy, making meaningful practice difficult.

At last count there were 35 12-meters from 17 syndicates in Fremantle--probably the most ever in one place at the same time. About 28 were expected to be measured to compete.

America’s Cup Notes The tank test model of Eagle, the Newport Harbor Yacht Club’s America’s Cup entry, will be on display at a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Newport Beach Nautical Museum, 1714 W. Balboa Blvd.

Donations of $25 and up will be accepted toward the syndicate’s fund-raising goal of $8.5 million. The 22-foot model was used for extensive computer testing of the design under simulated conditions. It is a scale of the new 12-meter’s hull and has been painted with the same Eagle logo on its sides.

Eagle has added three-time America’s Cup competitor L.J. Edgcomb to its administrative staff in Fremantle.

Edgcomb, 34, of Newport Beach, was bowman on Courageous’ successful defenses in 1974 and ’77 and its unsuccessful bid in ’80. He will serve as adviser and communications link between the syndicate board and operations director Gerry Driscoll.