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BT GLOBAL CHALLENGE - "CREWS NEWS" FROM WELLINGTON Thursday January 9th 1997 Now that the fleet of the BT Global Challenge has arrived safe and sound in Wellington (New Zealand), the focus of activity for the crews has changed from highly competitive sailing to maintenance, repairs - and relaxation. The first thing crew members did once they arrived in Wellington's Queen's Wharf was have a drink or three (bottles of champagne and cans of beer were on hand to welcome the thirsty sailors), hug family and friends who were there to greet them, and then sit down to a hearty meal. As the reality of being back on dry land began to sink in, each crew volunteer and skipper was given a free telephone card by global telecommunications company and yacht sponsor Concert, to be used in ports of call for the duration of the race. Given that the BT Global Challenge sailors will be away from home for up to 10 months, the chance to call family and friends for free is very welcome - and they have all started to make good use of their cards. Rod Stevens, an Australian crew member sailing on Save the Children, jumped off the yacht and straight onto a telephone to call his father in Australia and his girlfriend in Germany, both of whom were very pleased to hear that he and his fellow crew members had arrived safely in New Zealand, just under 3 hours after leg winner Group 4. Having taken care of the important things, 31 year-old Rod then tackled his next priorities - a McDonalds McChicken burger and fries (said Rod : "it tasted like heaven"), and five solid hours of TV watching in the comfort of his modest hotel bedroom (Rod was reported to be happy to watch anything and everything, including Lost In Space, ESPN's Body Shaping, and Crimson Tide). He ate his first steak after six weeks at sea on December 30th at a Save the Children crew dinner, after which he went back to his hotel and slept for 13 hours, which must have been sheer bliss after working a watch system that allows no more than 4 hours sleep at a time. On January 5th, all the BT Global Challenge crews and skippers were invited to a special "Welcome to Wellington" ceremony. A traditional Maori welcome called a powhiri (pronounced "paw-fi-ree") was organised, including a haka, the traditional challenge to arriving guests. The chants of the haka, familiar to everyone who has watched New Zealand's All Blacks rugby team, filled Wellington's Town Hall and the fierce gestures and facial expressions of the Maori warriors were an awesome sight. All the skippers were then invited to "hongi" or press noses with the Maori warriors, according to the traditional welcome for visitors. Afterwards, the mayor of Wellington, Mark Blumsky, welcomed the crews on behalf of Wellington City Council at a delicious afternoon tea, followed in the evening by the Lambton Harbour "Welcome to Wellington" party at the Rockpool Restaurant on Queen's Wharf, where over 400 people danced and rocked their way into the early hours of the morning. With the serious business of eating, drinking and partying taken care of, the crews then made sure their yachts were ready to be taken out of the water and given a thorough maintenance and safety check, which is standard procedure at this stage in the race. Each yacht will be inspected for damage to the keel, rudder, fairing and paintwork; all masts will be removed and checked for cracks and fractures, and all the yachts' rigging will be replaced. Full details of the maintenance and repair programme - plus latest "news of the crews" from New Zealand - will be given in the next race news report, to be posted next Thursday January 16th. Meanwhile, race organisers The Challenge Business are busy looking for people who would be interested in filling places on various legs of the BT Global Challenge. Because this would mean joining the race when it is already underway, volunteers would not be able to benefit from the training that is usually organised for BT Global Challenge participants, and for this reason, The Challenge Business is particularly keen to hear from people who already have some sailing experience. Those with a medical background - as well as sailing experience - are particularly encouraged to apply! Anyone interested should contact Helen Wybrow at The Challenge Business on 01579 348387 (dial +44 1579 348387 from outside the UK). |
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