Italian Boat Sustains Hole

SAN DIEGO — The newest Il Moro di Venezia boat sustained a hole in its starboard side after a collision with the jury boat before the start of Sunday’s practice race for America’s Cup challengers.

Almost drifting in light wind, Marc Pajot sailed France’s new Ville de Paris into the lead at the first mark, but then the wind died completely and the race was abandoned.

Il Moro spokesman Stefano Roberti described the damage as a hole two feet by a half-foot and two feet above the waterline. The race would have been the first serious test against other challengers for the Italians’ fifth boat--the one they’ll sail in the Cup--but they were towed back to port immediately after the incident.

According to Roberti, the starting area was sloshy despite the light wind, and a wave carried Il Moro into the extended rear transom of the power boat.

Challenger of Record Committee Chairman Stan Reid said skipper Paul Cayard, in turning downwind as he passed the stationary 40-foot cruiser, swung Il Moro’s stern into it.

It was to be the final race of the weeklong series.

“We had a very satisfactory series,” Reid said. “The only worry I have is the weather. (Because of light wind) we sailed the full course in only half the races.”