TEAM USA Arrives on a High Note in Palmerston, NZ

US Jr Team is welcomed at the Palmerston Airport by the St. Mary's School welcoming committee. Photo 2006 © Chris Smith .

Palmerston Time- 2:30pm Wed July 12

We are all settled here in Palmerston North, NZ.

We had a 30 hour trip starting in our home towns. We met at LAX and had a 12hr flight into Auckland.

We hopped on a puddle jumper and got to Palmerston where we were greeted by our pen-pals from St. Mary's School. There were no missing bags or kids--which is a nice start to a journey. Our two local team liaisons who have been assigned to help us during our stay greeted us and got us to the hotel. The hotel is great, internet in the room,two restaurants, sauna and fitness downstairs. We are right down the street from the main square and walked over to see what we could find. We found a mall with lots of
goodies. We hit the food court and the kids indulged in some local lamb kababs. Preston and I just bought a french press for our home brought dunkin donuts! We are heading over to hit this afternoon at the main venue. We are the 3rd team to arrive behind England and the Netherlands.

This is certainly the best tourney set up Preston Quick and I have ever been a part of. Things are obviously very well organized and we are in for an amazing experience. We can walk to the courts! Its a warm 50 degrees and sunny. Off to the courts for our first hit.

Mark Froot with the St Mary's school wecomers. Photo 2006 ©Chris Smith