Columbia Beats Sceptre by Mile To Take 3-0 Lead in Cup Races

Great Britain's last flickering hope of taking the America's Cup died yesterday in the lashing backwash of Columbia's stern.

The trim Yankee sloop, slashing relentlessly through 22-knot winds which sometimes raised waves as high as six feet, handed Sceptre her third straight setback.

She needs only a triumph today for a sweep of the historic yacht racing series.

Her sleek bow awash with silver spray, Columbia slipped across the finish line a mile and a quarter or 8 minutes, 20 seconds ahead of the broad-breasted challenger.

Again it was sheer murder. Columbia, with weatherbeaten Briggs Cunningham at the helm, raced to a 600-yard lead on the first six-mile windward leg of the 24-mile course. Cunningham increased the advantage with brilliant sailing both into the wind and with colorful spinnaker runs.

The skippers of both yachts decided after yesterday's rout they would race again today.