Il Moro Is Media Favorite to Win

SAN DIEGO —  A consensus of reporters covering the America’s Cup thinks Il Moro di Venezia will defeat America 3 in the best-of-seven match starting Saturday.

Of 29 international journalists surveyed by The Times, 18 thought America 3 was the better boat and 15 thought America 3 had the better crew, but 22 picked Il Moro to win--10 by a score of 4-2.

That appeared to be a tribute to Il Moro skipper Paul Cayard, who received 26 votes to two for America 3’s Buddy Melges (one even) in voting for best helmsman.

The predictions ranged from a 4-0 win by Il Moro by three foreign journalists to a solitary 4-1 win by America 3 by Robert Keeley of Yaffa Publishing in Australia.

American reporters favored Il Moro, 8-3.