Full Sail Ahead

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U.S. boats have never been bested in the 119-year history of the America's Cup, but this year's competition from abroad promises to be the stiffest ever. While the American boats have just begun their shakedown cruises, the Australian challenger, Gretel II, has been in the water since February racing against the original Gretel, challenger in 1962.

Though Gretel II has had her problems, at last report she was "finding her groove."

In Europe, seemingly all Gaul has rallied behind L.'Association Francaise pour la Coupe de L'America. Baron Marcel Bich, head of the Paris-based Bic ballpoint pen company, has spent four years and more than $2,000,000 developing his country's first cup contender. He even went so far as to commission Britton Chance Jr. to design a new 12-meter to be used as a trial horse for the challenging French sloop.

Christened France, she is being shipped to Newport to race Gretel II in late August for the right to challenge the U.S. defender in a best-of-seven series beginning Sept. 15. For competitors and spectators alike there is one long, furious summer of sailing ahead.