Warrnambool Whaleboat Race

America 2, Australia 1
http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/whale-boaters-hunt-for-racing-glory/1756975.aspx

"AMERICANS harpooned the Australian Whale Boat Racing Championships...won the mixed and women's sections...
...The Warrnambool Surf Lifesaving Club was named Australian Champions  and 'held up the men's honour'...
Twenty teams from Warrnambool, Portland and Timboon took part and seven from America."

Warrnambool rowers have been invited to San Francisco to compete in a whale boat race
from Alcatraz to the San Francisco waterfront in June.



"Your counterparts can not keep out of our local media. Here they are having fun in their training sessions..."


All the whaleboat action of old, without the bloodshed
http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/all-the-whaleboat-action-of-old-without-the-bloodshed/1753916.aspx

Trans-Pacific challengers arrive in force
http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/transpacific-challengers-arrive-in-force/1753417.aspx

"...Thursday night our time we have a Welcome to Warrnambool for all the crews and you can have a look at the venue for this on our web cam. This will be on from 530pm our time, so have a look in and see some serious welcoming going on.

http://www.flagstaffhill.com/?id=webcam

Hope things are well."

Peter Abbott

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Here's a link to an interview with Tom Adrick, Cox'n of the Row'd Warriors (APL)
by ABC South West Victoria (local radio)
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/02/16/2820852.htm?site=southwestvic
 

And here's an email message giving a update (check the web cam link)....

 

From: BAWRA@yahoogroups.com [mailto:BAWRA@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Peter
Sent: Monday, February 15, 2010 2:37 AM
To: BAWRA@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [BAWRA] Monday Update - Warrnambool

 

As you are acutely aware, we have only 6 more sleeps until the big day. The American teams have started to arrive and from my observations this morning they are planning to make a fair go of it!

As you have seen, Peter Abbott has organised a BBQ at the Flagstaff Hill this Thursday evening to welcome the team, it will be a great opportunity for us to show them our great Australian hospitality - before we burn them out of the water!!

USA readers be aware that the BBQ area will be viewable on our web cam http://www.flagstaffhill.com/?id=webcam from 530pm Warrnambool time.   [
WOOF THINKS THAT MIGHT BE 10:30 PM SOMIRA TIME ]

Thank you to everyone for being so organised and getting the registrations and payments in by the close-off date last Friday. There are just a few teams where the individual forms still need to come in - can you just let me know where you're at with that please.

Peter has also sent out the rules and regulations again so as all captains can ensure that their teams are up to speed. I have had a few enquiries to clarify certain points of rule. To go over them again;

1. Team Sweeps: This year's Race Committee has determined that the sweep will reflect the category i.e. the sweep in the women's category will be female, the sweep in the 'Mixed' will be either etc. * Please note: The committee have had to make one exception here - the under 17 Girls Surf Club team will be allowed to have a male sweep due to the age of the team and the inability to provide a Junior competition for them - this is a ruling that will be reviewed for next years event.

2. Strapping: Competitors are permitted to use pillows, cushions, etc on the seating and ARE permitted to strap themselves into the seats. However, please be conscious of the time it takes to do this due to the amount of teams and races required on the day.

3. Buoy Turns: When undertaking a port turn your oars and the hull of the boat ARE permitted to hit the buoy. However, you ARE NOT permitted to allow the buoy to be submerged on your turn. Peter Abbot will be Stewart on the water on the day and will allocate a time penalty on any team that allows the buoy to go under their boat. Also be aware that if you prefer to take a wider birth you must stay within you 'lane' and avoid any contact with other boats. We are hoping that the buoys will be in the water by Wednesday at the latest.

4. Race Committee: The race committee reserve the right to make final decisions and no correspondence will be entered into.

If you have any further questions please let me know - we hope to have the actual race schedule out to you by Thursday morning so as you can start to plan your day.

For our USA friends we organised Tom to be interviewed on ABC radio Sunday here in Warrnambool. This is the national broadcaster and the interview will be aired soon and posted on their web site. I will let BAWRA know where to find this interview.

Good luck, and I look forward to catching up on Thursday evening for a snag and a few frothies! ;)

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