Betreff: RACE DAY
Absender: "Aroundalone"
Datum: 08. Feb 2003 22:48
RACE DAY
9th February 2003
08:00 local time: ItÂ’s a bright sunny morning here in Tauranga and the docks are already humming despite the early hour. The eleven yachts bob gently, tugging at their dock lines like race horses waiting patiently to be taken out of their stalls. At 09:00 the first yacht will be hooked up to a tow boat, and towed out to the start area. All the yachts are towed out because their engines have been sealed. Upon arrival in Brazil the engines will be inspected to ensure that the seal has not been broken.
The Prime Minister, Helen Clark, will arrive by helicopter at 11:00. She will be whisked out to the naval vessel HMSNZ Moa where she will fire the start gun at noon and then return to land for a quick meal before heading back to Auckland. The rest of us will return to the media center to get the stories, images and video clips out to the rest of the world as quick as possible. In a day the skippers will be eating freeze dried food; the rest of us will be eating airline food as the road show moves on to Brazil.
The skippers are assured of a perfect day for sailing. The forecast given out by the New Zealand Met Service reads as follows: "Inshore waters from Great Mercury Island to Mayor Island to Mt Maunganui. Variable 10 knots tending northerly 10 knots for a time this afternoon. Sea slight. indexly fine." It looks like the sailors can expect an easy exit from these fair shores. ItÂ’s good news for soon enough the wind will pick up and they will be roaring towards the Roaring Forties.
10:00 local time: Most of the boats are away from the dock and heading out to the start area. It has been a very emotional morning not only for the skippers, but also for the thousands of well-wishers who have come out to give them a big send off. Graham Dalton was give a rousing "Haka" by the local MaoriÂ’s, the voices carrying across the water while the "Waka" a traditional Maori war canoe paddled past. Simone Bianchetti waved from his boat, his face painted with a Maori tattoo. All in all itÂ’s a very festive atmosphere here in Tauranga and a fitting end to a successful stay.
--- Brian Hancock great.circle@verizon.net
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Emma Richards dankt für die Gastfreundschaft
Bernard Stamm ist ein Magnet für die Medien
Photos: Brian Hancock
Die Leute drängen sich am Steg
Brian Hancock photo
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