Eagle Gets No Challenge From France

Eagle had an easy time against Challenge France Wednesday in the America’s Cup challenge series, as the Newport Beach entry was ahead by 4 minutes, 50 seconds on the final leg when Challenge France withdrew.

Eagle, skippered by Rod Davis, is now 6-10 with 14 points.

Dennis Conner’s Stars & Stripes had an equally easy time beating Heart of America by 4:40. Tom Blackaller’s USA beat Azzurra by 3:58.

The day’s most competitive race was Italia’s 37-second victory over Canada II, which came from behind to lead at the last mark but was overtaken on the final leg. America II had a tight fight with White Crusader until the British boat snapped a spinnaker pole on the first reach and fell behind by the approximate final one-minute margin. New Zealand beat French Kiss by 2:23. Protests by White Crusader and French Kiss were dismissed. The victories kept America II and New Zealand atop the standings with 31 points each. White Crusader is third with 23 points. Italia is fourth with 22 points and Stars & Stripes fifth with 21.

Eagle races Heart of America and Stars & Stripes faces Italia today.