Πρόσκοποι επισκέπτονται τα σκάφη του Volvo Ocean Race

Source: http://www.volvooceanrace.org/news/article/2008/november/CT/SCOUTS-VISIT/


Saturday 08 November 2008, 13:30 GMT

“Wet!” laughed Ian Walker, the Green Dragon skipper.

“Awesome!” was the response from PUMA’s Rob Salthouse.

“Fun, great fun!” was the way Delta Lloyd watch captain Stu Wilson put it.

Those were the answers provided by the three Volvo Ocean Race sailors who had been asked to describe the race in one word.

With the sun beating down from a crystal clear sky, four Volvo Ocean Race crew members submitted to a probing public inquisition from the assembled scouts.

“It’s fantastic to see all of the scouts here today, wearing their colourful uniforms so smartly,” said Ian Walker to a big round of applause. “I was once a cub scout for two or three years and then I was a scout…so maybe the scout movement isn’t bad training to sail around the world!”

The questions ranged across topics like safety – What do you do if the boat sinks? What about sharks? – to sponsorship and team organisation – How do you pay for all of this? Are there any women on the teams?

The opportunity for the scouts to come down to the race village and meet the sailors and see the boats was arranged through an alliance between Volvo and the scouting movement worldwide. Similar events will take place in many of the remaining stopovers.

But today’s session, in front of a rapt audience, was an opportunity for the sailors to enjoy a close interaction with local youths and reflect for a moment on opportunities afforded by their chosen careers as yachtsmen.

“We’re very lucky people to get this fantastic opportunity to sail around the world and meet new and interesting people,” Walker summed up. “This is my first time to Cape Town and we’ve been made very welcome. Too welcome in fact. We don’t want to leave!”