Aussies no boat, no mast Flying Dutchman Europeans
'Norman Rydge and Richard Scarr in Croatia for the Flying Dutchman European Championship'
FD Worlds 2006
As always the best laid plans come unstuck. Norman Rydge and Richard Scarr are in Croatia for the Flying Dutchman European Championships in a town called Rebac.
Richard Scarr reports:
'After a 35 hrs of travel we arrived at a small airport (smaller than lets say Hobart airport - no offence!) two hours drive from the venue. At customs we had a issuse with our sails as they were boxed up, but with a little bit of paper work (any paper work seems to work) we were let go.
'Arriving at the venue we looked around for the club, mmmm none to be seen. We asked around 'where is the sailing club?' at the local tourist centre. They pointed to the car park accross the road as this was to be the temporay boat park, which mind you is in a great spot.
'OK so we found a hotel, made a call to find out what time our container would arrive. Well it seems there was a public holiday and that all business were closed for the Friday and then the boat was still stuck in customs, so no boat for five days!
'So our sail maker Bruce Hollis, Norman and I have been touring around all the local spots. Such a great place to have an event..... not much wind.
'Our boat is meant to arrive tomorrow (Tuesday) by Schenkar (Erick from Schenkar Sydney the the only guy we trust to get the job done right); our mast we sent by courier.
'So instead of five days of flat out sail testing with Bruce, we have been flat out doing fitness sessions and tourist stuff, but we are really looking forward to getting the boat tomorrow and hitting the water to 'go do a 100' (for those that have never been coach by me that means going out and doing a 100 tacks and gybes till you get it right.)
'The regatta starts in four days so will keep you up to date with all that is happening here at Flying Dutchman Euros!'
by Richard Scarr
