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| Press Release |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2002
Release: No. 004-02
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Sports Commissioner Podziba Announces
6th Annual Liberty World Challenge
Outrigger Canoe Competition on June 29th, 2002
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New York City Sports Commissioner Kenneth J. Podziba announced today that New York City will be the site of the 6th Annual Liberty World Challenge on Saturday, June 29, 2002. The daylong event will include 100 outrigger canoe teams participating from all over the globe. The Liberty World Challenge is poised to become one of the largest competitive sporting events on the water and the event represents the revitalization of a once thriving culture of athletic events in the New York City Harbor.
“The concept of setting this ancient tribal sport against the background of New York City’s modern skyline has made the Liberty World Challenge a premier international paddlesports event and attraction, drawing the world’s best watermen,” said Sports Commissioner Podziba. “We are delighted to welcome the participants and spectators from around the world to New York City; the competition promises to be an exciting and entertaining afternoon for all New Yorkers to enjoy.”
Six person teams, with athletic skills ranging from Olympian to novice, will race 16 miles passing national monuments in the New York City Harbor including the Statue of Liberty. The route will begin at Pier 84 and competitors will head down the Hudson and continue up the East River, past the South Street Seaport, turning clockwise at the Brooklyn Bridge. The competition will eventually lead the participants behind Ellis Island and up the New Jersey shore. The winner will be declared when competitors cross the pier-head between the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum and Pier 84.
NY1 and 1010WINS will provide in-depth television and radio coverage of the race, and will provide a live feed back to the crowds at Pier 84. A number of activities including live music and concessions will be hosted at the Pier throughout the day. Spectators can get a closer look at the action on the Circle Line Statue of Liberty Ferry, the official spectator boat for the public and media.
In 1996, Roger Meyer, head of New York Outrigger, founded the Liberty Challenge in association with Va’a, Inc. productions, a non-profit educational organization committed to connecting people to the water through the traditions and excitement of outrigger canoeing. Unlike traditional canoes, outrigger canoes are sea faring canoes and include built-in stabilizers to maintain balance through the rough waters of the open ocean. New York Outrigger, Manhattan’s only outrigger canoe club, is the official host organization.
"The popularity of the sport has grown tremendously over the past five years. Outrigger canoeing gives New York City a chance to enjoy l'esprit de coeur and teamwork in the New York City Harbor,” said Executive Director Roger Meyer.
For more information about the Liberty World Challenge, visit their web site at www.libertychallenge.org.
Contact:
Todd Adest / Michael Daniels (Sports Commission) (212) 487-7120
Roger Meyer (Liberty World Challenge) (212) 426-8866
Circle Line (Press and Spectator Boat) (212) 802-0888
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Last Updated On:
Thursday, June 13, 2002 | |
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