Jeudi 24 août 2006
4
24
08
2006
06:06
-
Publié dans : médias
Pour la régate entre Huahine, Raiatea et Tahaa en 2006, plusieurs Yacht Club étaient invités (France, Japon, Nouvelle-Zélande). Parmi eux, le Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, venu avec une équipe de tout premier ordre, dont le Commodore.
Un beau salut néo-zélandais, en complément de l’article de David Charlesworth, Commodore du Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, paru dans le magazine Breeze, numéro 147 de Mai-Juin 2006 :
The ‘galley hand’s’ view of the regatta
Stunningly beautiful volcanic islands, hot steamy tropical, towering thunder clouds, dramatic lightning, flashes, thunderclaps and torrential rainstorms accompanying 30 knot gusts of wind, then brief contrast of wallowing in fluky wind puffs.
Inside the reef, steep sided hills luxuriant vegetation, abundant and lush flowering bushes. Vegetable gardens terraced up the slopes behind the villages and beaches. The travel brochure photos of the seas are true to colour; the sea is warm and clear, almost soupy at times it is so warm. The race starts with the colour of spinnakers against the vivid green of the land and the creaming noise of the Ari Tahiti Nui executive jet doing a series of low altitude runs over the fleet almost touching the masts.
Smiling, friendly people with beautiful flower head-dresses and leis, works of exquisite art, music and food, beautiful wahines both young and old. Noisy, flamboyant, casual, all in French but very hospitable. Food — poisson cru, mahimahi, chiken, pineapple and pawpaw, taro, finger bananas. Crusty french baguettes available daily in all the villages. Many french and NZ foods available, but at a price. Great swims at the end of the day off the boats, but not enough time to go snorkling. Sunsets beautiful.
At the end of the event, we all agreed it was a great sailing experience in the most beautiful surroundings one could imagine in a culture a little different than ours, but very warm and friendly. We can recommend it of any our sailing members who wish to do a regatta with a difference. More than a race, this is a sailing extravaganza, a Polynesian festival.
– Bronwen Charlesworth.
Téléchargez la totalité de l’article du magazine Breeze :
http://www.tahitipearlregatta.org.pf/PDF/breeze147.pdf
