SHORT TAKES : Spanish Prince Calm at Helm

AUCKLAND, New Zealand —  Prince Felipe, the crown prince of Spain, was left alone at the helm of a racing yacht today when his mischievous crew suddenly scurried below deck.

Felipe, 22, showed no concern, but his bemused smile delighted the contingent of Spanish photographers snapping the prince’s every move from an accompanying news media boat.

“It certainly caught His Highness by surprise,” said David Barnes, the skipper of KZ7, a 12-meter yacht that challenged for the America’s Cup off western Australia 3 1/2 years ago. “He thought it was a great joke, and called out that he would give us a yell if he got into trouble.”

Felipe, heir to the throne, hopes to compete in the 1992 Olympic Games at Barcelona. His father, King Juan Carlos, has twice represented Spain as an Olympic yachtsman and has competed in two Fastnet races off England.