Thursday, August 30, 2007

South Pacific Games - Sailing

It seemed like centuries ago when Samoa won the bid to host the XIII SPG. Since the planning stages Christian the Kraut and my better half was arm twisted in to being Sailing's Competition Manager. Much to our delight and relief at Samoa Sailing Association (SSA), he reluctantly agreed. Phew!!! Raema and I had to work hard on the Kraut.
After much trial and tribulation the competition has now started in earnest. Sailing is based at Aquasamoa Watersport in the beautiful Aggie Grey's Lagoon Beach Resort & Spa.
Monday saw the Technical Meetings and Sailors Briefings underway. Ralph Roberts & Andre Raoult are the ISAF Judges on hand to keep an eye on proceedings with David Brookes as Technical Delegate....
Lunch turned up finally after a hundred calls, just when everyone was packing up to leave. I had to get this little spot of bother sorted out...good luck.
Tuesday: what a pain in the ass when the first laser race was due to get underway....some of the lasers center-boards did not fit, either the boards were too thick or the holes where they're suppose to sit were too narrow....someone will pay for this screw-up after the event. Teething problems with the catering continued....o the joy of trying to soar like an eagle when flying with turkeys.
Our laser men and women posted some fantastic results despite the 20knot winds. Our Hobie teams did not fare too well. Hopefully better luck and improved positions will come in the latter stages
Meal...ummph... another bloody cock-up. Today NO MEALS turned up and everyone had an assinine excuse about some breakdown of communications etc., Hello, lets try to break down the egoes and perhaps then we can achieve some positive results. Again another visit to the catering who assured things will be ok.
Some good news at last: I found out where the drinks are kept for volunteers and servicing of VIPs. As far as Im concerned all the athletes are VIPs not the holidaying lot who usually make up most of these sports delegations.
Wednesday:Got a chance to do final shopping and harrassing prior to heading out to the venue. Hearing the results made all the headaches & frustrations worthwile. But lo and behold, the sad catering saga continued, finally the food that was suppose to arrive at 11.30 arived after 1300hrs after much carrying on over the phone. Decision was made to screw all previous arrangments and uplift all meals ourselves.
The Hospitality Team of Misty Agnes Humrich and Lyvia Black got things sorted out and kept everyone tanked and fed with coffee/tea etc. and beautiful platters of fresh fruits galore. Seine arrived later with lots of Banana Loafs....ummmm. All the participating countries have commented so highly about the care given to them by our Hospitality Team. I doubt very much other participants are getting half as much care and support from the host sports personnel. Well done ladies.
Day ended with a few bottles of wines with some of the visiting dignitaries to wrap up a super day of sailing. On the Rocks for a final one and off home for a few JBs & Cokes.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

So another Sassy hits the blogging scene:) Great to see Mutti continue to fire on all 12 cylinders. Strangely enough, I've been wondering the last few days about my own blog....and now Mutti comes along with hers to inspire me to keep writing.
Thanks for the updates on the SPG...I'm following it everyday and keeping an eye especially on the sailing...wish I was there.

Viel Spaß

Damien