Scott Crabbe
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 15/00) - "There's no lesson that can compare to what the sea has to offer."

That old adage is about to be proven again on behalf of three Northern women taking part in the Tall Ship Millennium Challenge.

Sharon Dubriel, Naomi Hannotte and Katherine Rozenstraten are representing Yellowknife and the NWT as they prepare to set sail from various ports across the country and the globe.

Hannotte is preparing to represent the NWT, along with the rest of the country. She departs on April 16 from Southhampton U.K. and arrives in Cadiz, Spain on May 5.

"I have a lot of pride in Canada," Hannotte says.

"I think it'll be good to have some representation from the NWT."

Five hundred young people from Canada will take part in the Tall Ship Millennium Challenge, which is entering the A-class square rigged Tall Ship race in the Tall Ships 2000 events.

The largest fleet of more than 150 square-rigged and other training vessels are coming together to blend an international group of young people. These participants will not only get the opportunity to experience global cultures and traditions, they'll be gaining a once in a lifetime lesson in line hauls and navigations.

"I've never been sailing, but I've been around water my whole life," Rozestraten said.

Born and raised in Yellowknife, Rozestraten has been scheduled to leave from Cadiz Spain on May 5, and arrive in Hamilton Bermuda on June, 11.

"Sailing teaches you discipline and teamwork and this will also teach me how to survive out there in open waters. It's an adventure of a lifetime."

A national fund of $800,000 has been set up through a variety of sponsors. The total cost for each Canadian participant is $4,000, $2,500 of which is raised by each individual through corporate sponsorship or other means.

"The $2,500 covers transportation costs to and from ports," Alex Mulder, a director of the challenge, said.

"We decided to set a flat rate to make it fair for everyone. If we didn't then someone from Yellowknife would have to come up with a significantly greater amount of funds to get them to the Halifax port, than someone from Toronto who may have to raise a couple of hundred to get to Halifax or $400 to get to Europe."

Twenty three different crew changes will see sail trainees leave from a variety of different ports including Hamilton, Bermuda, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia and New York City, to name a few.

Departure schedules are spread throughout the spring and summer. Dubriel will be the first of the three to leave.

"I just found out at the end of February and I'm leaving in two weeks," she said.

Dubriel will be departing from Southhampton, U.K. and arriving back at the port six days later.

"I just thought it'll be an awesome experience to be able to sail on a tall ship."

The Northern crew will be sailing aboard the Eye of the Wind. Originally built in 1911 for the South American hide trade, she is one of two vessels represented by Canada -- Picton Castle being the other.

To ensure equal representation from all parts of Canada, a certain number of positions are available in each province and territory. Currently there are 17 positions left to fill from the NWT.

Interested applicants must meet a deadline of April 1. More information on the challenge can be found at their Web site, www.tallships.ns.ca