'Dewa Ruci' wins President Cup

'Dewa Ruci' wins President Cup

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Navy's sailboat Dewa Ruci was
declared the overall winner of the Arung Samudera 1995 tall ship
sailing race yesterday, although it was not the first to reach
Jakarta in the 480-mile regatta across the Java Sea.

With the decision, Dewa Ruci will receive the President Cup
and the $2,000 first prize.

The decision followed a recommendation from John Hamilton, a
jury member from the Sail Training Association, that took into
account the handicaps of the top finishers, Antara reported.

BE Esmeralda, the Chilean Navy's training ship, was declared
first runner-up and the Akagore of Japan came in third, receiving
$1,500 and $1,000 respectively.

The decision was announced yesterday by the chief executive of
the organizing committee, Vice Admiral F.X. Murdjijo at the
Marine Village in the Tanjung Priok harbor complex.

The first finisher, Maruta Jaya, did not qualify for the top
prizes but was awarded the Coordinating Minister for Political
Affairs and Security Cup as a consolation and a $2,000 prize for
being the fastest ship in the race.

Various prizes from the ministers of foreign affairs, defense
and security and the secretary of state were awarded to the
participants.

In addition, BE Esmeralda was declared the Most Favorite
Vessel, Dewa Ruci "The Friendship Vessel", Leewin of Australia as
the "The Cooperative Vessel" and Iskra of Poland "The most
spirited vessel".

The tall ship race of 22 ships was held to mark Indonesia's
50th independence anniversary. There was also a yacht race, from
Benoa in Bali to Jakarta, involving 119 vessels. (emb)