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)