The two cup boats that have been the pre-regatta favorites - the Italian yacht Il Moro di Venezia and New Zealand - proved to be worthy of their reputations.

A rescue effort by two competitors in the Whitbread Round the World Race succeeded last night in finding the damaged Italian yacht, Brooksfield.

All three Italian yachts led their classes in the 605-mile Fastnet race, the final stage of an event the United States has not won since 1969.

Today, the crew for the Italian yacht was right in step, and the result was the closest victory in America's Cup history, and one of the most dramatic.

Devlin arrived at his home in an Italian yacht, a prize he had captured early in his career.

But the Koch team hung on, covering Il Moro as the Italian yacht struggled unsuccessfully to pass.

At the end of racing today, both the Swedish and Italian yachts were flying protest flags.

The Italian yacht has been considered more of an all-around boat than the others, but the new keel may change its performance characteristics.

Sequana, the defender yacht chosen by the CVP in 1901, steered by Eugène Laverne was beaten, as well as the Italian yacht Dai-Dai.

Winston was awarded a time adjustment of 21 hours 28 minutes 30 seconds by the race jury for turning back to assist the Italian yacht Brooksfield, which was disabled on Dec. 3.