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Tahiti Officially Welcomes World ARC Yachts



Tahiti Officially Welcomes World ARC
01 May 2008

At the Tahitian equivalent of a civic reception the crews of the World ARC yachts gathered at dusk under the specially decorated craftsman’s village outside the Tahiti Tourism offices to be officially greeted and welcomed to Tahiti and French Polynesia.

Following the official welcome by the President of Tahiti Tourism, Mr Jacques Teheiura, the Deputy President of French Polynesia, Monsieur Jules Yenfa, then thanked World ARC for visiting the archipelagos recognising the significant contribution made to the local economies, especially in these difficult times of declining traditional holiday tourism.

Traditional dancers in TahitiThe Mayor of Papeete, Mrs Bouteau Nicole, congratulated World ARC on choosing Papeete as a stop for the route of the Rally, was delighted to see so many international visitors to the City, and emphasised that there would be a warm welcome waiting in two years time for World ARC 2010.

New berthing facilities for yachts have recently been installed in the main harbour at Papeete, adding to the excellent marina at Tiana also run by the Port Authority of Papeete. Speaking on their behalf was General Manager, Terri Vallaux, who was given an enthusiastic applause when later thanked by World Cruising Club’s Managing Director, Andrew Bishop.

Andrew Bishop responded on behalf of the World ARC participants presenting the Vice President and other distinguished guests with a plaque in recognition of their support for the visit of the event, before awarding prizes for the leg from the Galapagos to Hiva Oa, the yachts first landfall in French Polynesia. Prizes were awarded for first place in each class to Candella (Multihulls), Nutella (Class C), Kasuje (Class B), and Akoya (Class A). A representative from Tahiti Pearl presented beautiful prizes to Whitbread and Ideal, two of the yachts (drawn at random) who had participated in the Tahitian Canoe “races” run that afternoon.

Bringing the fleet of 37 yachts together for the Papeete rendezvous after cruising the Marquesas and Tuamtos has proved extremely popular; plagued by engine problems, and a delayed departure from Galapagos, Annamare was given an enthusiastic welcome having arrived only two hours before the party, whilst special thoughts went to the crew of Maalmani similarly delayed, and due within a couple of days.

Rounding off the official welcome was a magnificent display of Tahitian dancing by a troupe of beautiful local girls, performing before an extremely appreciative audience! Their act was compared by an amusing artist who sang both in accompaniment and solo in a wonderful baritone voice. Participants were in awe at the special show and were delighted with what had been a very special official welcome to Tahiti and French Polynesia.


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