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BT GLOBAL CHALLENGE - SAVE THE CHILDREN ARRIVES SECOND IN WELLINGTON Wellington (New Zealand), Monday December 30th, 1996 After a closely fought battle with the winners of the second leg, Save the Children arrived in Wellington in second place, only 7 miles behind Group 4. Save the Children crossed the finish line at Point Jerningham at 03.08.13 hrs GMT today (16.08.13 hrs local time in Wellington) under grey, cloudy skies and light rain. A large group including representatives from her sponsors Serco plus crew family members had gone out to meet her on the water after she crossed the line, and as she came alongside in Lambton Harbour, the watching crowd shouted, whistled and cheered their encouragement. Champagne corks were popped and cold beers were passed onto the yacht, as the smiling crew waved and looked extremely pleased to be dockside once more. Save the Children had put in a very strong performance in the second and longest leg of the world's toughest yacht race. She had left Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) on November 20th in similarly grey, wet and windless conditions, and her crew then spent 40 days and 40 nights at sea before arriving in New Zealand. One crew member, Kurt Kinast, had to leave the yacht due to a medical condition before she rounded Cape Horn, Save the Children completed the remainder of this leg with a crew of only 12 volunteers and one professional skipper. She made news by being the first yacht to round Cape Horn on December 3rd, winning the Commercial Union trophy, and then promptly went on to distinguish herself once more by being the first yacht to sail through the Concert gate, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. At 29, skipper Andy Hindley is one of the youngest skippers in this race, but having sailed as a crew volunteer and watch leader in the last Challenge race four years ago, he had first hand experience of what his crew could expect. He also spent the two years prior to the start of the BT Global Challenge working as a training skipper, preparing crews to face the physical and mental hardships associated with racing around the world. Crew volunteer Sue Thatcher was especially excited to see Save the Children arrive; she had been due to sail with the yacht on the entire race, but unfortunately broke her ankle in an accident prior to the race start in September 1996. Sue flew out from the UK to welcome the yacht complete with a special, hand-embroidered flag she had made herself, and she will be joining Save the Children when she sets sail for Sydney (Australia) on February 9th 1997. For details of leg 2 winner Group 4 see previous race news report. For updated information on the BT Global Challenge : Internet site : http://www/btchallenge.com Fax database : 0990 321123 (+44 990 321123 from outside UK) Public enquiry bureau : 01703 212124 (+44 1703 212124 from outside UK) Recorded telephone information line : 0891 505550 (UK only) Ceefax page 388 (UK only) |
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