SCOUTING OUT the AMERICA'S CUP

Thanks to America's Cup veteran, Bill Koch (1992, 1995), two U.S. Sea Scouts were selected to attend the America's Cup 2000 races in Auckland, New Zealand, last February. This competition for yachting's oldest trophy pitted Italian Prada team challenger Luna Rossa, against defender Team New Zealand's NZL6O.

Katie Hagen of Slidell, LA, and Ornel Cotera of Miami, FL, both 17, got to see the competition firsthand, but they also played an important role as crew members of the volunteer safety patrol boats. Katie explains:

Ornel and I became part of the volunteer safety patrol system that managed the hundreds of spectator boats that followed the action on the Hauraki Gulf.

Every day, after a briefing at the Outboard Boating Club of Auckland, we would load the flags, buoys and gear into the patrol boats and head out. After the spectator boats started to arrive, things got a little hectic. Once the wind direction had been determined and we set the buoys (pronounced "boys" here), our job was to keep the spectators outside the course lay lines.

On my boat, our main duty was to lead the 13 race sponsor boats down the port lay lines. They were allowed 200 meters inside the lines so it was imperative that someone look after them. The best part about being the port leader is that I was on one of the closest boats to the action.

And Ornel filed this firsthand report:

All we had to do was walk out of the airport to know that the America's Cup 2000 is being held here. No, it wasn't the two practice boats on display across the street or the big banner pulled by a helicopter that says, "Good luck Team New Zealand." Everyone is wearing bright red NZ socks made especially for the occasion. I mean everyone is wearing them.

SUNDAY -- RACE ONE

The spectator fleet is incredible. Close to 1,000 boats line the course. At 1315 we hear the sound that everyone's been waiting for -- the horn and the start of Race One for the 2000 America's Cup.

Prada couldn't have had a better start. They cross the line right after the horn sounds but Team New Zealand (TNZ) soon follows. The excitement comes in the first leg when the two boats are dueling for clear air. In the end, TNZ rounds the mark first and that's the story for the remainder of the race.

TUESDAY -- RACE TWO

It's incredible how the Kiwis support the home team. There is a rumor that yesterday set a record for the most employees calling in sick. Everyone is out on the water watching the race, with their red socks on.

The two boats get into a tacking battle and TNZ ducks the Italians and gets in perfect position for the start.

Halfway down the course, we hear on the radio, " [ldots] there is blood." A piece of plastic fouled on Luna Rossa's keel. One of the crew was trying to clear it when the pole he was using swung back and opened a gash on his head. Now Prada has two problems, an injured crewman and the plastic still on the keel. They stop, a diver jumps in the water and at the same time the injured crew member is transferred to the ambulance boat.

Prada's problems aren't over yet. A sail blows off the foredeck and a spinnaker drum jams so they can't jibe on the downwind leg. The man repairing the drum must have been a Sea Scout because he is jury-rigging the problem with his Leatherman pocket tool.

The horns blast as TNZ finishes first, for the second time. But the spectator boats all stay and blast the horns as Luna Rossa crosses the line almost three minutes later.

THURSDAY

The wind is blowing four knots, about how fast the air comes out of the back of a vacuum cleaner. Even so, the number of boats on the water is incredible. Fortunately, we don't have many problems -- until the wind shifts 50 degrees. Then it takes 45 minutes to get the "boys" back into position and the spectator boats behind them.

But in the end, after hours in the hot sun, the committee cancels the race.

SATURDAY -- RACE 3

Right from the 10-minute warning, the two teams get into a battle. TNZ wants to be on Prada's starboard side for the start and they get it. NZL6O crosses the line one second after the horn and immediately pulls away on the starboard tack. Luna Rossa tacks one boat length over the line.

After the first mark, both boats raise gennakers for the downwind leg. Prada controls the situation by forcing TNZ toward the lay lines. But every time Luna Rossa jibes to shadow NZL6O, New Zealand jibes again, Out of the shadow.

This race isn't as easy for us as it is for the Kiwis. There's a wind shift, forcing us to swing the course 300 meters to port several times. In the end, the Kiwis win by 1:39, making the score 3-0.

SUNDAY

TV reports said we'd have winds 10 to 15 knots. Out on the water, no wind at all. At 1534 Race Four is postponed till Tuesday. One good thing, I got fed quite well. I've made friends with the captain of the Ericsson Communications-sponsored spectator boat and every day they supply us with an incredible meal -- salmon, curried beef, potato salad and more.

TUESDAY

Still no wind. There are maybe 200 spectator boats out now. For hours I sit in the boat, wishing I had a bathing suit. A message over the VHF changes my mind real quick. Two hammerhead sharks are in the area!