Students to join Atlantic Challenge

Students to join Atlantic Challenge

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Eighteen students -- all from the Surabaya Technology Institute
(ITA) -- will set out for the Atlantic Challenge in the United
States, with a mission geared more toward the spirit of
friendship rather than competition.

It sounds like a competition to cross the Atlantic Ocean, as a
participant, at Tuesday's press conference at the Kartika Chandra
Hotel, admitted that he mistakenly perceived it to be.

"The Atlantic Challenge features the boats, taking the
prototype of those used by France in its attempt to sail across
Britain's sea in 1796," Muhammad Habibie, one of the team
members, said.

When held for the first time in New York in 1986, the Atlantic
Challenge saw only participants from France and the United
States.

The number of participating countries has since been growing
and the upcoming race, which will take place in Rockland, Maine,
will see 10 countries with 17 boats.

Habibie said that the competition, which is scheduled for July
11 to July 17, would incorporate nine tests of seamanship,
including the rowing race, sailing race, oar and sail race, man
overboard, slalom, jackstay transfer, captains gig, navigation
and knots and splices.

The two latter events are carried out on land. The competition
will cover a total of 20 kilometers.

"The spirit of the race is not about competition but
international friendship. To become the fastest participants is
not the goal of this race. What we should show is team
cooperation and leadership," Habibie said. He was accompanied by
another two members of the team, Anjar Ciptandini and Mangoloi M.
Siallagan.

Anjar said that among the team members for each participating
country, six must be under 21 years of age.

The uniqueness of the competition is that the participants
have to design and build their own boats, but with common
specifications.

As for the students, they said they had finalized 95 percent
of the layout of their boat, which is 11.76 meters in length.

The boat will be launched in Surabaya, East Java, on May 21
before it is shipped over on June 5.