NZLYT Optimist Worlds 2014 Team Update

by John Jennings on 19 Oct 2014 John Jennings reports from the build up to the Optimist Worlds in Argentina:

Generally speaking a quiet few of days down and around CNSI as the sailors to adapt to the new scenery, conditions and time zone.

First of all an editorial repair to previous article: for those of you keen to know the dinner plus taxi for 3 set us back the equivalent of NZD60. More staggering was the prices found in a Maxi Kiosk (something between a dairy and Four Square) for branded vodka, gin and whisky, all around NZD 7-8 a bottle!!.

Monday in Argentina was a public holiday, equivalent to NZ’s Labour day, but seemingly somewhat more passionately 'celebrated' as the locals recommended avoiding downtown BA due to likelihood of vigorous and vociferous union action.

The sailors took delivery of their Riotecna optis, all branded with the name of Argentina’s sailing icon (Santiago) Lange. Lewis in particular was delighted to be reacquainted with the brand of opti that has served most of his opti career to date. Boat setup was pretty straightforward. Whilst waiting for the breeze to show any semblance of activity the sailors adjourned to the football pitch and had an impromptu match against the Brazilians which went well for NZ as the Brazilians found the physical kiwi approach difficult to deal with; not quite Neymaresque but a fair bit of squealing going on. Against most predictions the breeze did come in, albeit quite light, so Crystal rounded up the troops and took them out for their debut sail on a river (Rio de la Plata), brown water, and in South America. On the water they again hooked up with the Brazilians who seemingly extracted some slight revenge in the early dial-ups on but the universal feedback was that the rolling/ooching technique being employed would get short shrift in NZ.

Meanwhile one of the multitude of friendly locals gave us a grand tour of the main club building which was a little like taking a step back in time to W. Somerset Maughan or colonial times. MBSC should take note of some of the features observed for incorporation into the new clubhouse. In the Caballero changing room one encounters a man (presumably a woman in the Damas) who for a small fee will provide towel, shampoo, soap etc. all the while keeping the place tidy and no doubt keeping an eye on proceedings. There is a gym, lounges, and two restaurants, which despite their upmarket appearance are still remarkably cheap by NZ standards. All of this is available for us to use as we wish. Rumour has it the joining fee for the club is USD100k with a USD1k monthly subscription (not suggesting MBSC take that bit on-board although I noticed my Kohi cohort didn’t bat an eyelid).

Another prized asset is the CNSI’s training vessel, classic lines, plumb bow aside but only around 3 years old; puts the club’s plastic optis to shame.

Whilst the sailors have been out and about on the water the parents have taken in some of the local sights. Tuesday, hopped on the tourist train up to Tigre (lies on the Parana Delta which together with the Uruguay River form the River Plate). Definitely something of a tourist trap with any number of vessels of all shape and size attempting to coerce you to join them for a tour of the delta. Some great old buildings and once again plenty of evidence of the strong British influence 100 years or more ago that elevated Argentina to the commercial power it once was. Couldn’t help noticing a large poster whilst there advertising Deep Purple being in town on 8 November; might have to stay on a while!

Wednesday in the opposite direction on the tourist train line, i.e. back towards BA. Nothing too spectacular to report except from one stop could see the kids out on the water albeit a long way off. Don’t think we needed the 'Prohibito Barearse' sign to put us off going for a swim; the shore line wasn’t particularly inviting, ditto the brown water of the Rio. Carried on to the end of the line, Maipu which seemed to be just on the outskirt of downtown BA so definitely had a different look and feel, i.e. more city than suburb.

Unfortunately, followed that up with our first downer of the trip so far with a diabolical meal at a bar at the train station. Gave it a generous score of 1.5 out of 10 only because I always like to leave room for further extremes. Suffice to say however that never one to pass up an opportunity to turn adversity to advantage we have given the place a thorough recommend to the Ozzies and Singaporeans.

Thursday featured a cultural afternoon exploring the local Cathedral (300 years on the sight but not the original building) and a contemporary art gallery.

Friday was a day-off for the sailors so we all got adventurous and caught the regular train (75c return!) into BA. Justine (correction to JB’s nickname as recommended by Mrs B no less) and Crystal have been there before but for the rest of us a wide-eye experience at times; pretty much everything is on a grand scale that is difficult to comprehend when compared to little old NZ. The slum just before reaching the rail-way station was bewildering – if you had told me it was the result of a war zone I would have believed you. Checked out a mall (quite upmarket and all 'labels'). Carried on to the Avenue de 9 Julio and the Plaza de La Republica – that is one seriously big piece of tarmac - and completed with a quick wander around La Recoleta Cemetery – very different to anything any of us had seen before seen before.

For those who have attended this event in the past (not me) a familiar face would be Amperes Calee who has put this event together for the last 10 years.

If any Ford Falcon aficionados out there its fascinating to see so many (in excess of 20 to date) 1960s variants on the road; can’t recall the last time I saw one in NZ. Mind you a bit like the footpaths, roads, houses etc. they are not necessarily in the best state of repair.

Majority of the teams are now on location and the action clicks up a notch or two on Saturday with the Pre-Worlds regatta.