PNG Fleet ready to set sail for Coral Sea Classic start.
by Tamzin Wardley on 28 Mar 2001
RPYC Club house Marina, Coral Sea classic. RPYC
The Papua New Guinea entrants are gearing up for their delivery trips down to Cairns and Townsville from Port Moresby.
The yachts are planning to sail together to Australia over the Easter weekend. Most will be departing PNG on the Thursday before Easter (to avoid that Friday omen) and expect to be in Townsville by Easter Monday.
Last minute preparations can be seen on yachts all over the marina as inventories get checked and rechecked. New equipment is being installed and long-distance items are being pulled out of storage.
The search for life rafts in-service, flares and charts is hotly contested with most yachts sailing to Townsville with an ever increasing shopping list. Chandleries in the far north should expect to be swamped once they arrive.
The yachts are regular travellers to the east coast of Australia with many of them competing in previous Hamilton Island race weeks and Cairns' local regattas.
Delivery crew will be taking advantage of the half price Air Niugini fares on offer to the race participants. They will be returning home to PNG and then flying back down to Townsville for the start of the race series on Wednesday May 2.
The recent unrest in PNG between the defence force and the government has not upset preparations for the 2001 Coral Sea Classic.
'The unrest was very localised and became a media event rather than any real disturbance' according to Race Director, Tamzin Wardley.
'We are quite used to events like this and no-one pays too much attention. It's all just part of living and working in PNG.'
'The government and defence force agreed on terms and everything is now back to normal.'
The Royal Papua Yacht Club is planning a great welcome for the visiting yachts and crews. 'We intend to show our overseas visitors what PNG is really about and not what you see in news snippets. The country's Tourism Board and the club are preparing a cultural evening yacht-club style and look forward to introducing our visitors to our club members.
Information about the race can be obtained from the hosts of the race the Royal Papua Yacht Club or from the yacht racing website sail-world.com.au
TAMZIN WARDLEY PH# 325 5166; FAX# 323 5330
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