Sea Scouts from around the world headed to sun filled Miami, Florida where they competed for the third annual William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup, July 23-29, 2006. This youth sailing regatta is open to men and women between the ages of 14-21 who are actively enrolled in the Sea Scout program. The five-day event was held at the Coral Reef Yacht Club in the Coconut Grove section of Miami. Teams from the United States and 20 countries tested their seamanship and leadership skills aboard Vanguard 420?s, as they sailed on the waters of Biscayne Bay.

Scouts not only got a chance to meet some of the world?s premier sailors, but they also learned tips from several top collegiate sailing coaches. Prizes were be awarded for camaraderie, sportsmanship, and, of course, sailing. The winning sailors earned the right to have their names permanently engraved on one of youth sailing?s top prizes ? the William I. Koch Cup.

The third time was indeed the charm for the Sea Scouts of the Del Mar Ship from Newport Beach, California. Defending champion Corey Kemp, (skipper) and Jonathan Harada (crew) held off a strong challenge from a determined New Zealand team to keep the William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup.

More than 60 Scouts from around the world competed in the six day sailing regattaWind conditions ranged from six to seven knots at the start of the regatta to a strong 15 to 20 knots on the final day.

Scouts from across the United States and as far away as Australia, New Zealand, and Norway, competed in a series of match races for the rights to have their name etched on a silver trophy that resides in the Boy Scout Museum in Irving, Texas.

The event is held every two years and is open to young men and women between the ages of 14 and 21 who actively belong to a Sea Scout Ship. Founded 1912, the Sea Scouts are a division of International Scouting that is designed to teach young men and women leadership skills through seamanship.

Scouts competing in the William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup were divided into two flights. Stronger sailors competed for the right to claim the Koch Cup, designed by Asprey Garrards, and more novice sailors competed for the Kiwi Cup, a Maori carving that was donated by New Zealand Sea Scouting.

Kemp, 19, of Westminster, CA and Harada, 18, of Fountain Valley, CA beat Hayley Anderson, 15, and Emma Reeves, 16, of Christchurch, New Zealand. Daniel Halloran, 18, and Niko Waldschmidt, 18, of San Diego, CA placed third in the Koch Cup fleet.

The winners of the Kiwi Fleet were Andrew Scheuermann, 17, and Danielle Meeker, 16, of Alexandria, Virginia. Second place went to Kari Guderud, 17, and Marius Helland, 15, both of Norway. John Lindahl, 15, and Matt Muecke, 18, of Knoxville, TN placed third.

Chevrolet, a division of General Motors Corporation, which helped underwrite the event, awarded sportsmanship trophies for both fleets. The winners of the Chevrolet Sportsmanship Award for the Koch Cup were Joe Strumolo and Daniel Glashausser of Wayne, New Jersey. The Chevrolet Sportsmanship Award for the Kiwi Cup went to Kari Guderud and Matt Helland of Norway.

Information on the 2008 Sea Scout Cup will be coming soon—we hope to see you there!

###

KOCH CUP WINNERS

Finshing in a strong second was Hayley Anderson, 15, and Emma Reeves, 16, of Christchurch, New Zealand.

Daniel Halloran, 18, and Niko Waldschmidt, 18, of San Diego, CA placed third in the Koch Cup fleet.

KIWI CUP WINNERS

The winners of the Kiwi Fleet were Andrew Scheuermann, 17, and Danielle Meeker, 16, of Alexandria, Virginia.
Second place went to Kari Guderud, 17, and Marius Helland, 15, both of Norway. John Lindahl, 15, and Matt Muecke, 18, of Knoxville, TN placed third.

CHEVROLET SPORTSMANSHIP TROPHY WINNERS

Garret Dvorsky, regional sales and marketing manager for General Motors Southeast Region presents the General Motors Sportsmanship Award to Daniel Glashausser, left center, and Joe Strumolo, both of Ship 104, Wayne, New Jersey.

Garret Dvorsky, regional sales and marketing manager for General Motors Southeast Region presents the General Motors Sportsmanship Award to Norwegian Sea Scouts Marius Helland, left center, and Kari Guderud.