Yachting: Finding race mate no easy matter

By Suzanne McFadden

James Spithill went door-knocking along the street where the America's Cup challengers live trying to find a sparring partner - but no one wanted to sail against him.

The Young Australia skipper - at 20 the youngest helmsman in cup history - has been frustrated by the reluctance of his neighbours.

"I guess I can understand it - it would be pretty embarrassing for them if we were out there beating them before the cup started," Spithill said.

"They have more to lose than we do. But their attitude only makes us want to beat them more."

Finally yesterday one of the challengers accepted the invitation from the very young Australians.

The Swiss Fast2000 crew, who have kept their distance from other boats since they launched in Auckland, will line up on an imaginary race course with AUS29 today.

Spithill has roped in umpires from the Louis Vuitton Cup pool to control their duel.

He thinks the Spanish might be keen to join in on the weekend in the final countdown to the challenger series starting Monday.

Young Australia are the underdogs, there is no doubt about it. The unenthusiastic challengers may have been concerned that the youngsters wouldn't give them much competition, or may not be so adept at handling their 1995 boat.

Spithill is not impressed with this thinking. "The guys are handling the boat well. If you forget about their age, they have big boat experience - they haven't just jumped out of a dinghy.

"And we're going to win a few races here. This boat will be in its element in the heavy airs."

Or maybe it has something to do with Spithill's no-fear attitude.

"I'll be aggressive in the starts. We haven't got anything to lose, so we'll push it as hard as we can.

"I'm definitely not scared of the boats hitting. Especially with this challenge, we have to give it a go."

New Zealanders have, believe it or not, adopted the Australians, who have a meagre cashflow. The crew were prepared to walk barefoot down Queen St in this afternoon's welcome parade until Auckland company Line 7 yesterday donated 30 pairs of leather shoes.

The young men have been given sausages, chickens, bicycles and free lunches. A local bar has taken them in, but some of the crew are only old enough to sup softdrinks.