Latest from Splash Worlds in Split, Croatia

by Mat Evans on 23 Jul 2007
Mat Evans reports on the build-up to the Splash Worlds in Split, Croatia

Hello to everyone in NZ

Today, Sunday the team will start the regatta with the practice race. We have 40 plus degrees and it has been absolutely inervating. The sailors will stay in their accomodation for as long as they can to stay cool.


The wind is only a very mild sea breeze that does not stay in for very long. Perhaps 2 hours at the most from 2pm onwards It promises to be a light weather regatta.

Mark Kennedy is doing a great job of preparing the team. We are really lucky not only to have Mark but also the great coaching that lead up to leaving NZ.

We have our opening ceremony tonight and we are ready to give the World
Splash community a passionate HAKA.

We all went to a meal at Jake Jakobsons partners place last night. Grant has sponsored our team with accomodation, a 44 ft keeler for the parents to watch races from and another associate has supplied us with a new RIB. The generosity of these people is amazing .

The culture here is quite different from NZ and I think the sailors are really enjoying the experience

The focus is now on sailing and the preparation on the water has the team ready and excited. I will keep you posted with results.

The schedule is for two races a day starting Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday rest day on Thursday and then they split into gold and silver fleet.
Friday and Satrurday sailing is for the cup

I am finding myself very busy so please excuse me if I am a little late at time with updates

Today is Friday.

I am sorry I did not report yesterday, but it was a really busy day- The boats arrived and we had all sorts of work to do to prepare. Mark Kennedy was not impressed at the condition of the boats, and especially the masts.

We were lucky that we were first in and picked up some fairly straight masts. They went for their first training sail yesterday and came back and checked boats for water etc. All the boats were dry.

Mark and I worked in the local sail loft last night and put tell tales on all the sails.

The heat is almost intollerable. 40 degrees plus. We are struggling to keep up with the demand of water and fluids to keep them hydrated

We still have more work to do on the boats, and Mark is working through this in a process. Later today the sailors will go out for another practice. Mark proposes to work on starts. Jake has a 44 ft keeler for the parents to go out on and a really flash coach boat (brand new )

Everyone is in good spirits, but this European keyboard is driving be crazy

Alison is going to send you some pictures

Today Wednesday 18

Mark Kennedy arrived last night and he is on the job preparing them for the regatta.

The boats arrive tommorrow.

He and the sailors met this morning with Luca Radelic who ave the sailors a lesson on the local conditions and what they may expect during the regatta. Mark was invaluable with the technical translation.

All the sailors have gone out on a 44 foot boat that SMI have chartered for the parents to be on during the regatta.

They are going out to look at the conditions. When the sea breaze comes and from where etc etc.

I should have some pictures for you tommorrow, I hope

All are in good spirits.

Bye for now

Matt