'CRUISE MISILE' FINISHES FIRST IN DARWIN-AMBON YACHT RACE

Ambon, July 21 (ANTARA) - The "Cruise Misile" reached the finish line of the Darwin-Ambon yacht race first in Amahusu, Nusaniwe, Ambon, on Tuesday.

Manned by skipper Huxley Wayne Edward and five crew the yacht touched the finish line at 10.15 local time or 11.13 am Australian time.

All the crew underwent health checks especially for possible contraction of swine flu before being allowed to land.

Ambon city administration's secretary H.J. Huliselan put shawls on them to welcome them upon landing.

Huxley said he was very glad to be able to come to Ambon and become the winner of the 600-mile race for the second time.

Huliselan meanwhile said that actually ten yacts would participate in the race but one had cancelled because it failed to get a license from the Australian government because of document problems.

All the participants are expected to arrive on Thursday.

The Ambon administration plans to hold a welcome ceremony Friday morning at Pattimura Park.

All crew of the nine yachts would be welcomed to a dinner held at the Ambon mayor's residence Friday evening and a gala dinner with officials of the Maluku province at the governor's house on Saturday evening.

The yacht crew are also scheduled to hold friendly games with Amahusu villagers and visit several tourist resorts on Sunday.

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