Big Time

It's been fun to see the juxtaposition of entries from the high polished Hugo Boss's sponsored entry skippered by Alex Thomson, UK to the grass roots Corinthian entry of Tim Troy, the Velux 5 Oceans excitement is building...

Alex Thomson's Hugo Boss jumped off the blocks with 15 to 20 knots gusting southerly under heavy skies. Mike Golding followed with Bernard Stamm (Cheminees Poujoulat) who within 1h 45 minutes had taken the lead. 22 hours into the Velux 5 Oceans race, Espana's Unai Baresko is leading Alex Thomson
followed by Shiraishi in 3rd place.

The Getxo harbor is quieting down though 2 entries are feverishly working out solutions to their challenges. Tim Troy, US, unable to depart due to failure of the 180 inversion safety test, is still looking at sailing to La Rochelle to add the required 600 lbs to his boat canted keel, and came back within the 7 days. Graham Dalton, NZ, and his crew are attending to the damages suffered in a storm last week while coming into Bilbao. His Open 50, the newest entry dry dock is still generating much curiosity.

Both of them opened the ceremony, With visible emotion and palpable determination, under the compassionate eye of Richard Simmonds, UK's sailing broadcast personality, Dalton Graham and Tim Troy offered each other's support in the set backs that came between their boats and the start date.

Defending champion Switzerland Bernard Stamm was the first departing skipper to take the stage with great spirit and charisma for what was a moment genuinely full of emotion and yet fun. Each departing skipper was asked to select a music track they would like to be introduced to. Honors were given to Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, with: Can't stop me now by Queen. It's time to have fun. It's not the best weather we have seen, but this is racing, let's go!
It's about having a good time.

Hugo Boss's Alex Thomson selected; Paint it Black by the Rolling Stones, clad in a black HB suit worn with silver and black snake snickers... see pix! Wearing his aviator glasses, and framed with 4 models, one could wander if we were in Cannes for the Film Festival or in Bilbao for the start of the longest and most challenging sporting event? Certainly the splashiest for the start of what he called "the most daunting race" he has ever been on!
Mike Golding ran up the steps propelled by Star Wars , after a sweet good-bye to his young son.

Kojiro Shiraishi was most gracious regarding the welcome and support he received during his extended stay.
The local hero, Unai Basurko, was greeting with immense cheers from the thousands who came to send off the fleet, and this continued on the water has hundred of spectator boats came to witness this momentous start, with a predilection to circle around him with boisterous horns to voice their support ? You will never sail alone? was one of the banners flown.

Their first 48hours are to be a most challenging start of this first leg of 12000 miles to Fremantle, AUS, as they will navigate the heavily congested Cape Finistere under weather conditions expected to be brutal.

VOILA...

Bruna Shidler
Water-Wizards

0/23/06