| La Palma goes bananas
As the price of bananas continues in freefall as far as local producers are concerned, the sector in La Palma has announced it is to dump 675,000 kilos in a bid to rebalance the saturated mainland market and improve prices. The island is heavily dependent on its banana industry and producers have decided drastic circumstances call for drastic measures. The crisis they face is said to be the worst anyone can recall. Of the 3,379,000 kilos scheduled to be embarked for the mainland last week, some 20% had to be shed simply because so much of the fruit was on offer throughout Spain. Farmers here claim the situation is unsustainable. The 21 céntimos they receive per kilo is not enough to cover costs. Nevertheless the price per kilo in the shops is currently around 2 euros, a massive mark up for the retailers of around 400% and at 2 euros a kilo, bananas are just not shifting with the consequence that a backlog of epic proportions is forming in La Palma where the lack of rain is adding to the costs borne by producers.
Superyacht Cup sponsors
Swiss watchmakers Ulysse Nardin has signed as title sponsors of the Superyacht Cup Palma for a further two years. The event, to be held in Dique del Oeste, Palma, Mallorca from 16-19 June 16 -19th, has already attracted 40 entries and organisers hope that up to 60 yachts over 30m loa will be on the startline.The latest entry this week is Eleonora, the magnificent 'modern classic' gaff-rigged Schooner, inspired by the legendary Westward, which was designed by Nathaniel Herreshoff and launched in 1910, Eleonora was built in the Van de Graff Shipyard in Holland and launched in 2002. At 162 ft including the bowsprit, Eleonora wil be a spectacular sight under full sail racing in the Bay of Palma. Yachting World, 15 March 2007 Back to the news index Visit the features archive Back to the Supersail World homepage .
T-Mobile's Unlikely Cleanup Rider
The telecom has tapped VoiceStream founder Bob Stapleton to get its team back on track
In the insular world of pro cycling, Bob Stapleton stands out. For one thing, he's an American in a sport run primarily by Europeans. For another, the new chief of the T-Mobile (DT ) racing team comes armed with an impressive résumé and an MBA from the University of California at Riverside--even if he doesn't yet have any Tour de France trophies. .
Eto'o rested for Barcelona's King Cup game
Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o will be rested for King's Cup match against Real Zaragoza on Wednesday, the Primera Liga leaders said on Tuesday.
The Cameroonian striker was ruled out of the 16-man squad for the second-leg of the competition's quarter-final in order to restore full fitness.
"The results show that he is recovering positively from the injury. He needs to maintain the dynamics of the treatment up until now and this needs to be carefully measured," Barca medical team said on the club's official website.
Eto'o made his first start against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday and played an inspirational role in the Catalans' 3-0 victory as he scored and dished out an assist.
The former Real Mallorca striker hugged coach Frank Rijkaard to clear the air between them following the dispute that happened after the Dutch boss accused Eto'o of refusing to come on as a substitute in a league game against Racing Santander.
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