TEAM SA back in the Mother City ...

Its been a long journey … Saturday, 23.08.08, at 21:27 pm Team SA landed in their home town … - and how was it?? What happened? That’s what we all want to know! All we do know at this stage is that their eyes were sparkling with pride, excitement and joy when greeting their families at the airport last night. …

… the return of Team SA to Cape Town is not the end of the project – but rather the beginning of the next step: On Sunday the follow up program starts, as part of which Team SA will reflect upon the Tall Ships’ Race and upon ways to use this experience for life. Team members will also support Cape Windjammers in editing photos, videos, and log entries which we will use to report back to all supporters. So, everyone, who is waiting on photos from Team SA, please be a little patient - we will start working on this on Sunday.

Team members will also pull their share to give back to SASLA, and to make this experience possible for other South African youths in the future. A number of activities are planned for this – so watch this space to be updated … from now on we will update this log once a week.

Speak to you soon with more stories from Team SA!

Antje

PS: Congratulations to Sakhe and his family: after more than two years of temporary housing they finally got the keys to their new house in Delft! - What a great suprise for Sakhe - his return to Cape Town could not have started better!

A million stories later ....

Date 22:08:08 Time 1o:17 GMT
The race comes to an end … and Team SA is about to head home – this time with millions of stories in their luggage … we cannot wait to hear it all …
Tonight the team will have the chance to sleep on Canadian Tall Ship Picton Castle, which many of you might remember from its previous visits to Cape Town.
Tomorrow night, at 21:35 pm Team SA will land in the Mother City! You want to welcome them back home? Join us at the International Arrivals Terminal!
See you there
Antje

Shabab Oman wins prestigious Friendship Trophy

Date 21/08/08Time 16:17 GMT
The Omani ship Shabab Oman won the prestigious Sail Training International Friendship Trophy today at the final prize giving for The Tall Ships' Races.
The Queen’s Commissioner...
to read full story click here

Royal presence at the Opening Ceremony and Captains Dinner

Date: 21:08:08 Time: 08:16 GMT
His Highness Prins Maurits of Oranje-Nassau van Vollenhoven together with the Princess Marilene of Oranje-Nassau brought some glamour to The Tall Ships' Races in Den Helder yesterday when they attended both the Opening Ceremony and the Captains' Dinner.
The Opening Ceremony drew a large crowd in front of the stage where the Prince and Princess joined Mayor Hulman of Den Helder and other local dignitories to watch a singer and orchestra. Mayor Hulman then welcomed the Captains and their ships to Den Helder and thanked them for bringing their vessels to the port for the biggest event that the city has ever seen.
to read the full story click here

Majority of vessels now in Den Helder with remainder due tomorrow

Date 20/08/08 Time 15:54 GMT
The majority of the 65 vessels that will be in Den Helder for the final four days of The Tall Ships' Races have now arrived.
To read full story click here

Youngsters from Bermuda want to repeat their experience across the Atlantic

Date 20:08:08 Time 13:38 GMT
The experience of sailing on a Tall Ship has so inspired four youngsters from Bermuda that all of them would love to repeat the experience. Not only would they like to sail again on a Tall Ship but they've set their sights on taking part in the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge next year and crossing the Atlantic to sail into Bermuda.
To read their story click here

Fleet start to arrive in Den Helder

Date 19/08/08Time 21:02 GMT

The fleet of The Tall Ships' Races started to arrive in Den Helder today with Cuauhtemoc (Mexico) and the provisional winner,Christian Radich (Norway), among the first. A number of the smaller Class C and D vessels also arrived into the small basin in front of the Naval Academy, including many of the provisional winners of their classes, which finished the race a few days ago.

To read full story click here

Team South Africa gets special feature on STI website

Team Sa has been interviewed by Sail Training International's Media +Public Relations Manager Corinne Hitching
Their interview is a special feature on the STI website.
And this is how it goes..
Date: 19:08:08 Time: 14:27 GMT
Four young people from Cape Town, South Africa, have just enjoyed an experience they say they will never forget. Valentino Scholtz, 17, Sakhekile Qoyi, 18, Shafeeqah Salie, 25 and Claire Bouah, 25, all earned the chance to sail on Christian Radich thanks to the South African Sail-Training for Life-Skills Development Association (SASLA). SASLA promotes and assists the provision of opportunities for training under sail to youth and adults to foster the development of sustainable life skills, constructive citizenship and the art of seamanship.
The four joined the ship in Bergen knowing nothing about tall ships and ....
please read full story here

Race Update 12: Race time limit reached - provisional results available

Date: 18:08:08 Time: 21:01 GMT
The race time limit was reached today at 1200 hrs GMT for Class A, 1230 hrs for Class B, 1245 hrs for Class C and 1300 hrs for Class D, which means all vessels are deemed to have finished regardless of whether they have crossed the finish line or not.
To check provisional results click here

Race Update 11: Race time limit brought forward to assist back markers

Date 18:08:08 Time 08:21 GMT
The race time limit has been brought forward to 1200 hrs GMT today (for Class A), 1230 hrs (Class B), 1245 hrs (Class C) and 1300 hrs (Class D) in order to allow sufficient time for the back markers to make it to Den Helder in time for the final four days of festivities which start on 20 August.
To read more click here

Race Update 10: More vessels cross finish line

Date: 17:08:08 Time: 19:42 GMT
A total of 15 vessels have now crossed the finish line with more expected overnight. Overall on corrected time, Christian Radich (Norway) with Team SA on board, remains in first place with Jolie Brise (UK) in second and now Sørlandet (Norway) in third. In Class A on corrected time, Christian Radich leads with Sørlandet in second place and Mir (Russia) in third. However, as there are more vessels yet to finish, this positions may still change.
To read full story click here

Race Update 9: Leaders hold steady as Akela takes line honours

Date: 17:08:08 Time: 09:14 GMT
The leaders in this second race of the series have remained unchanged overnight, while a number of vessels have crossed the finish line, with Akela (Russia) taking line honours.
Team SA on Christian Radich (Norway) remains in the lead overall on corrected time!
To read the full story click here

Breaking news: Clyde Challenger crew evacuated after leak causes flooding

Date: 17:08:08 Time: 08:10
All 13 crew members of the Clyde Challenger, one of the vessels taking part in The Tall Ships’ Races 2008, were rescued overnight from their stricken vessel in the North Sea. All are safe and well. The 18m cutter was competing in final leg of the race series, from Bergen (Norway) to Den Helder (Netherlands). She reported taking on water last night and issued a Mayday call at around 2150 hours.
Two search and rescue (SAR) helicopters were dispatched by the Humber Coastguard (UK) who coordinated the rescue with the race organisers, Sail Training International. The crew of the Clyde Challenger were taken on board another competitor in the Race series, the TS Loyal, in less than an hour after the Mayday. They were later transferred to the KV Andenes, a Norwegian Coast Guard vessel.
To read the full story click here

Race Update 8: Christian Radich hangs on to lead but southerly winds slow pace

Date: 16:08:08 20:04 GMT

Team SA on Christian Radich (Norway) is holding on to her lead overall on corrected time, but has been overtaken on the water by a number of the smaller vessels favoured by the southerly winds. Behind her overall is now the Class B Jolie Brise (UK), clearly intent on taking a second title, with Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway) in third place.

To read the full story click here

Race Update 7: Weather starts to favour smaller vessels as winds set to increase

Date 16:08:08 09:01 GMT
The lighter winds have begun to benefit the smaller vessels with the Class C vessel Esprit (Germany) now in the lead on the water. Team SA on Christian Radich (Norway) and Mir (Russia) are however close behind as are the yachts Akela (Russia), Antwerp Flyer (Belgium) and Rona II (UK) leaving the race for line honours still wide open.

To read the full story click here

Race Update 6:Exciting Race but still no e-mail from Team SA!

Date: 15:08:08 19:57 GMT
Race Update 6: Three vessels fight for the lead as wind turns south.
Unfortunately modern electronics do not work as planned and we still can't receive Team SA's Log entries. But we work on it and soon you will be able to read all about their adventures during the race! In the meantime follow the STI updates of the race.

Christian Radich (Norway) with Team SA on board is holding onto her lead overall on corrected time although Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway) is making a strong come back attack and closing the gap between them. In third place overall and in Class A is the Brazilian Cisne Branco which has been keeping pace with the leaders since the beginning of the race on Tuesday.
to read the full story click here

Race Update 5: Christian Radich holds onto her lead as winds lessen

Date 15:08:08 08:23 GMT
The winds have decreased in strength and are variable which has slowed the progress of the fleet considerably. The forecast is however for the winds to increase in strength but go to the south east over the next couple of days. Despite the lessening winds, Christian Radich (Norway) with Team SA on bord has held onto her lead overall on corrected time with Cisne Branco (Brazil) in second and Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway) back up into third place.

To read the full story click here

Race Update 4: Team SA in the lead!

Date 14:08:08Time 20:04 GMT
The competition is beginning to heat up as the vessels pass the first waypoint and head south. The wind has also veered to a more southerly direction which is slowing the square rigged ships and meaning more tactics will come into play. Christian Radich (Norway)with Team SA on board has now taken up the lead overall on corrected time as well as in Class A. Behind her is Alexander von Humboldt (Germany) with Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway) now in third.
to read the full story click here

Race update 3: Statsraad Lehmkuhl remains in the lead!

14.8.08 10:23 GMT Statsraad Lehmkuhl remains in the lead!
The Class A ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway) remains in the lead overall on corrected time with Christian Radich (Norway) close behind in second and Cisne Branco (Brazil) in third. These three look set to battle it out between them for the honour of winning the race and their class.
Team Sa on Christian Radich still in third place but....
To read the full story click here

Race Update 2: A battle between two Norwegian rivals hots up!

Hi there!

We got a message from the Christian Radich! Chris, one of the mentors on baord told us that just for a few minutes they were within signal range of Aberdeen ... so far the ship has not had easy internet access due to the fact that the sails are blocking the signal - this will change when they tack!

That means that the log entries from our Team SA will still come!

In the meantime here the latest race news:

13.8.08 22:08 GMT A battle between to Norwegian rivals hots up!

Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway) was holding on to her lead overall on corrected time with Norwegian rival Christian Radich still hot on her heels in second place.......

to read the full story click here

Race Update 1: Statsraad Lehmkuhl takes an early lead

13.8.08 8:59 GMT Statsraad Lehmkuhl takes an early lead - Christian Radich in second position!

The Norwegian Class A ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl has taken an early lead on corrected time in the second leg of the Tall Ships's Races 2008. At the 6:00 am GMT position report she was in the lead both in her class and overall with Norwegian rival Christian Radich in second place and Morgenster (Netherlands) in third place.

The northerly winds that finally helped the fleet accros the start has increased slightly and ... click here to read the full story ...

The fleet crosses the start line ...

12.8.08 23:26 GMT Fleet crosses the start line as the sun sets

The Tall Ships' Race fleet finally crossed the start line after a two hour delay because of a lack of wind! As the hour approached ... click here to read the full story ...

The Race starts with a Parade of Sails!

It seems that there is a bit of load shedding going on in Bergen as well, or there is a problem with the internet connection of the ship ... we are not 100% sure what the matter is, but so far Team SA has not been able to send their log entry to us ... we trust they will be able to sort out the problem over the next few days. So long we update you with the latest news about the race as recorded by Sail Training International the organizers of this unique event!

What a beautiful sight ... wish I was there ...
Antje


12.08.08 13:44 GMT The Tall Ships' Races Fleet leave Bergen in Parade of Sail
Bergen's own Tall Ship, Stadsraad Lehmkuhl led the parade of Sails out of Bergen today after 4 days of festive activities. From 8 am this morning ... click here to read the full story on the Sail Training International website.

Team SA arrived in Bergen

Hello there!

Team SA has arrived in Bergen ... late in the evening. They had a good flight and made the connections in Amsterdam. In Bergen they made their way their way to the harbour where they were welcomed by the Christian Radich and alocated to their bunks and watches on board. Late in the evening they went to the Crew Centre located in the Vikinghallen, from where they sent us a quick message to say all is good and well, and extremely exciting! Tomorrow they will start their day with the Parade of ships participating in the race and later in the day the race will start ... good luck to the Christian Radich and of course Team SA. Make South Africa proud!

Team SA casts off – our sincerest thanks to all TEAM SA Sponsors!

Last night 23:25 pm … the big moment has come – Team SA casts off for the Tall Ship’s Race!

Family, friends and representatives from participating organisations gathered to wave good bye to Team SA 2008, on their way to Bergen Norway, where they embark famous Norwegian Tall Ship Christian Radich. The vibrancy of excitement and nervousness, mixed with some tears in some mum’s eyes, made the right background for a touching farewell.
Time to thank the many individuals, organisations and companies, who have come on board to sponsor Team SA 2008 and made this project possible!
We are honoured by your willingness to give and share … and we would like to congratulate you! Good choice for your investment into South Africa! Claire, Shafeeqah, Sakhekile and Valentino are four promising young leaders, working hard on their skills to face the many challenges of this country. With your support you allow team members a life-changing experience and the opportunity to further grow and give back to their communities!

WACTH THIS SPACE TO FOLLOW THEIR JOURNEY: TEAM SA WILL UPDATE THIS BLOG ON A DAILY BASIS (if there is no load shedding on the other side of this world :) )

For their generous financial support many thanks to:

Sail Training International
Anonymous sponsor from the UK
Jewish Maritime League South Africa
Pennypinchers Longbeach
Trinity Project International
Christel House SA
Judi Tucker, Peter and Lynne Tucker, Sigrun Kabutz, Bettina Kabutz, Mike de Pauw, Nicolas Theopold, Ian Gelderboom, Sanna Räisänen, Tania Vollperg, Friederike Subklev, Claudia Batschari, Richard Boom and Mr or Ms Anonymous!

For their donations in kind that helped us to keep the overall budget down many thanks to:

Alvin Kushner from Cape Rainbow Tours for the bus, petrol and driver for visiting Team SA home communities
Mike Ormrod of ORMS PRO PHOTO WAREHOUSE for partial sponsorship of a digital camera with water case
Dan Moreland, Captain of Canadian Barque Picton Castle for offering free accommodation for the last night in Den Helder
For stunning equipment for all team members, including track suits, fleece waist coasts, long sleeve sport shirts, short sleeve shirts, small sport bags, beanies and scarves for the cold nights on watch, as well as wrist watches to never be late on duty we would like to thank:

Anthony Weinberg from New Balance South Africa, Morne Strydom from First Ascent; Marlene Coetzee George and Prudence Hendricks from the Sport Science Institute & Laureus Sports Foundation; Mrs. Gaironesa Diedericks from the Diedericks Fund, Alice Sinnett (private) and Brett van Eyssen from Aquarius Embroidery.

Most of all, very special thanks to Ruben Coetzee from the Chrysalis Academy, who inspired the above people, companies and organizations to contribute to the stunning equipment for TEAM SA! What a sterling job you did! Team SA takes a deep bow and will proudly present the team wear on all occasions!

One more night to go ...

Cape Windjammers Offices, 9 August 2008, 4:15 pm

Today is our last team meeting before we depart. Its a bit overwhelming! We are excited even a bit nervous. Antje has done a great job in managing the project! We are also lucky to get more sponsors in New Balance, First Ascent, the Sports Science Institute and Laureus Sports Foundation, Diedericks Funds, Aquarius Embroidery and Chrysalis Academy who have put their hands together to equip us with stunning team wear! We have spent the morning going through the programme for the coming days - very packed.
I hope that all goes well that we gain as much from this programme, represent SA and are able to give back to community.... Thank you to all those who have contributed to this project! Team SA thanks you!
Shafeeqah

Today is Woman’s Day!
Yippie! This is so exciting!! Today was our last meeting and it is the final preparation for the big day tomorrow.
When I arrived it was like Christmas … today we received a cool rugsack each filled with goodies … scarf, beanies, tracksuit, shirts, waist coast, watch etc …! We were discussing the itenary for the travel, our responsibilities, plans for our trip and Shafi learnt how to use the XO laptop today.
I am soo excited! Plus!! Ruben from Chrysalis Academy who helped us to get our team wear, gave us a very good motivational speech and now I feel that we are really heroes, because he called us role models for SA youth! Claire

Almost there ...

Saturday 2 August, Cape Windjammers Offices, Woodstock

Today, we discussed more preparations for our trip to the Tall Ships’ Races. YEAH! Unfortunately Shafeeqah could not be here, but we still managed to get our things together. And since we are a team, we backed up for Shafeeqah today and will brief her about all our actions today. Our Visas have been approved, so our main concern right now is that we get all the flight and bus connections so we will be on board in time and not miss the race …

It still hasn’t sunken in yet for me that we are going …

The exciting part was learning to use our new XO Mini Laptops, sponsored by the One Laptop Per Child Project. Click here to find out more about this project. Only 3 projects in South Africa were selected to be part of Phase 1 of the testing phase of this very new tool. And Cape Windjammers was one of the few lucky! The laptops will help us to write a daily log. If all the inter connections on board work, you will be able to read our daily log on this blog. So keep watching!

And more good news today! New Balance sponsors track suits for TEAM SA and the company Watersign is sponsoring the embroidery for the TEAM SA label! That’s fantastic! Thank you so much! Many many thanks also to Ruben Coetzee for facilitating this! You are a star! Watch this space to see us in our team wear!

Claire – signing out

A dream comes true

My people. It's Valentino. The 30th of July was like a dream come true. I was on television and interviewed on the live show Hectic nine-9. Do you know what that means for a young man of my CALIBER? I was there at the studio as a representative for the Tall Ships Race team, together with Lona and Nadine, who were on a local sail-training voyage in June. We were joined by Alex from the great organization Cape Windjammers. When I met the presenters of the show, they greeted me with my name - and I did not even know them - - I felt very welcome. I felt like I am at a place where I was born to be. Maybe one day I will be there to do the real thing - you never know what can happen in the future. I went through all that procedure that a professional has to go through for getting ready for the show: we git the make up and we had to run through what we will say. And when it came to the live show, the presenter asked me the questions, and I just started speaking as if I am in the business for a long time. Thanks to everybody who watched the show out there! I'll leave you with these words - GOD COMES TO ThOSE WHO WAIT.
Valley- signing out