Wind sends off sailing races to Jakarta

Wind sends off sailing races to Jakarta

BENOA, Bali (Agencies): A strong easterly wind, the noise of
Balinese gamelan and mystical traditional local dances gave the
official send off yesterday to the 141 sailing ships of all
colors, shapes and sizes in a race to Jakarta.

Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Tanto Kuswanto sounded the siren
in this tiny southern Bali port overlooking the Indian Ocean to
launch the ceremonial start of the two races, one for the 22 tall
ships, and another for the 119 yachts taking part.

The actual yacht race began later in the day after they all
gathered at the starting line just outside the sea entrance to
the port. They will cover 630 miles on their journey to the
Indonesian capital.

Admiral Tanto once more flagged off the start of the yacht
race from on board the KRI Banten, the Indonesian navy warship,
by firing his gun in the air.

The tall ship race is slated to begin today with a starting
line in the Java Sea slightly to the north of Sapudi Island about
150 miles from Benoa.

Yesterday, the tall ships had to negotiate their way through
the rough Lombok strait. Once reaching the starting line, it will
be a straight line sailing to Jakarta, covering 480 miles in all.

The regattas are two of the three major events in the Arung
Samudra 1995 event which is held as part of Indonesia's 50th
independence anniversary. The third will be the parade of 41
warships from 18 countries at Tanjung Priok harbor on Aug. 16 on
the eve of Independence Day. The sailing ships taking part in the
race will be joining in the fleet review.

A golden trophy awaits the winner of the tall ship race, which
will be presented by President Soeharto on Aug. 16. A trophy from
the Arung Samudra organizing committee awaits the winner of the
yacht race.

Given the strong winds, some of the participants were
confident that they would make it to the finish line, just off
Kerawang, in West Java within three days. The organizers have
given the participants until Aug. 15 to complete the race.

"Everything is going smoothly. We haven't had any complaint,"
Admiral Tanto told reporters after the launching ceremony. "We
hope every ship will reach the finish line within the schedule."

One of the main centers of attention during the race no doubt
will be Chile's pride, the 113-meter BE Esmeralda which is one of
the world's largest tall ships. Its 48.5 meter mast certainly
makes it the tallest in the world. It is also one of the oldest
in the pack.

Indonesia is represented in the tall ship race by several
vessels, including the Navy's training ship KRI Dewa Ruci and the
large schooner Phinisi Nusantara.

Other participants, as listed by the organizers, include the
Golden Hawk (Britain), Atlanta (Singapore), Saweri Gading
(Indonesia), Adventure (New Zealand), Orsa Maggiore (Italy),
Akagore (Japan), Maruta Jaya (Indonesia), KAL Taruna Laut
(Indonesia) , STS Leeuwin (Australia), KLD Tunas Samudera
(Malaysia), STS Young Endeavour (Australia), Sojourn (Australia),
and Ambasi (Indonesia).

The yacht race has drawn international participation from
Australia, Germany, the United States, Canada, New Zealand,
France, Norway, Britain, Japan, Sweden, Spain, Hong Kong,
Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, the Netherlands, Finland and
host Indonesia.

Both races have been given international recognition, with
juries sent from their respective associations, the Australian-
based International Yachting Race Union and the London-based Sail
Tall-Ship Training Association, according to the organizers.

The Indonesian Navy, which is the chief organizer of Arung
Samudra 1995, has deployed eight of its warships, two planes and
two helicopters, to escort the participants and ensure their
safety on their voyage to Jakarta.

Along the way, the Customs agency coast guard will join them
in clearing the way for the racers.

Some 800 members of the Navy's Search and Rescue team are on
board some of the warships ready to deal with any emergency.
There is also a unit of the marine's frogmen, an underwater
salvage team and a hospital on board the warships. (emb/msa)