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While
North Carolina sailing may not be widely known in Switzerland,
the international prestige of the Yacht & Tractor
Club gives Whortonsville front runner status in their
America's Cup bid
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The sailing
world has been in disarray since the Swiss recently won the America's
Cup in New Zealand. Much discussion has ensued about where Switzerland
will host the next America's Cup races - set for 2007. Switzerland
is landlocked, presenting serious challenges to water-based activities.
Motivated
by his concern for the history of the series, Whortonsville
Yacht & Tractor Club Commodore Nick Santoro has offered
to host the 2007 America's Cup.
"Beyond
being landlocked, there is another reason that this is the right
solution" states Santoro. "Switzerland has a long
history of neutrality. How can hosting a race at their place
be neutral? It wouldn't be - and they would tarnish their image
of fairness."
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"Swiss
sailors will enjoy the full amenities of the Yacht &
Tractor Club," Santoro proudly states.
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Santoro recently
invited the TownDock.net NewsExtra staff over to tour
his facilities. Upon arrival, Commodore Santoro showed his close
affinity with the Swiss people by offering a plate of Swiss
cheese.
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Nick
Santoro uses his 37- function Swiss Army knife to prepare
a plate of Swiss cheese
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While Whortonsville
has extensive sailing facilities, Nick knows he cannot stage
an event of this magnitude alone. He needs the help of Oriental,
some 10 miles south. Officials and business owners in Oriental
have been quick to offer support.
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Emily
Daniels displays "square knots - an introduction."
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An America's Cup
boat has a crew of 16, yet in the recent Swiss victory only
three crew members were actually from Switzerland. While Switzerland
has a population of 7 million people, only three of them know
how to sail.
"We're here to help" says Emily Daniels of Oriental's
School Of Sailing. "Everyone at the Sailing School has
purchased new uniforms to make the Swiss students feel comfortable"
stresses Daniels, "and we have introduced a two step program
to prepare America's Cup crew members."
In Cup Crewing 101
Daniels says prospective Swiss sailors will learn many of sailing's
lesser known performance tricks, like the crafty square knot.
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Jim
Nixon and Emily Daniels show some of the course materials
in Cup Crewing 202.
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Cup Crewing 202
includes winching, tailing, plus how to pose for press photos.
Still, just learning to sail isn't enough. The area must present
itself as a place that will make affluent Swiss yachtsmen feel
at home. The Bean , Oriental's coffee shop on the harbor, has
joined the effort.
Bean proprietor Diane Stewart says all Bean employees will be
required to adopt "culturally sensitive Swiss hairstyles",
designed to make Swiss guests feel at home. The Bean will also
begin offering Swiss Miss for the 2007 season.
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Diane
Stewart with Swiss Miss - now with Mini Marshmallows
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Other food service
interests have joined in. Scoots, known for pizza and sandwiches,
will actually rename itself for one year to aid the Swiss in
enjoying Pamlico society.
Ralf Heit
says he will rename his business to "Scoot's Chalet",
and promote an extensive "Apres Sail" theme.
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Ralf
Heit shows off the new "Scoot's Chalet" logo,
along with his famous Swiss Meatball Sandwich
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