The opening ceremony
Minka of Southampton - Cruising Log
Edmund Wigan
Sat 2 Jul 2011 09:38
|
The ceremony was an informal affair held outside
the marina office and facilities. Lena was pressed into action as a
translator.
 There were speeches by a few old boys in Russian.
The best bit was when one chap spoke for 15 minutes and Lena translated this as
"He says welcome".
 This young man is the organiser and skipper of the
lead boat.
 This is Elena who did all the administration and
sorted out my invitation. She is also First Mate on the lead boat. She was
awarding each Skipper a wall plaque to commemorate them taking part. 1st on
the right is Astrid who is the crew on the German boat (her skipper has yet
to arrive) then an unpronouncable Russian then Michael.
The ceremony was completed with the raising
of the Regatta flag......far right below.
 Before the ceremony Lena and her friend came to
stick a logo on Wiliwaw.
 Michael helped.
There is a press conference now (1300) a technical
inspection of the boats and then a dinner tonight at 1900. Tomorrow they are
taking us on a sightseeing trip and then we leave here at
23.30.
|