Torch Relay - Day 7 - New Gelderland

Today we will travel to the 7th leg of the relay at New Gelderland!

For the first time the magic of the Simlympics graces the shores of New Gelderland in the form of the seventh leg of the torch relay of the XI Simlympiad. In an effort to spread the magic, the torch will visit two of the country's most important cities, the capital Hamilton and the largest city of Victoria, traversing the country's south east on a high speed rail journey.



The torch arrives first in Hamilton from Mosman, New Bordeaux, via Hamilton & Calder International Airport:



This composite map shows the route the torch takes through both cities:




The cyclists arrive at the Hamilton Athletics Stadium, where spectators await the first transfer and a short ceremony. Entry to the stadium was free:




After meandering through the city, the torch arrives at the Justice Halls, the country's national courts, where more crowds await:




Peeking through downtown's high rises as the torch traverses the city streets, accompanied by the enthusiastic lunchtime crowds:




After going under the river via Parliament Walk tunnel, the torch arrives at the bottom of Parliament Hill, where crowds wait to catch a glimpse of some of New Gelderland's past Simlympic heroes on their way to hand the torch to Prime Minister De Vries for her short leg of the relay:





Thousands gather at Hamilton Central station at 5:30pm as the torch prepares to depart. After short speeches from prominent local sporting figures, the torch boards the train heading for Victoria:




The sun has begun to set as the torch arrives at Victoria Central Station at 6:42pm. Enthusiastic crowds gather in anticipation of the evening's celebrations:




Office workers and bankers pour out of their buildings into the central square in the largest CBD in the country to see Phillip Montgomery, New Gelderland's newest sporting hope, collect the torch at Central Subway station:




Montgomery carries the torch by bicycle northwards towards Centenary Park, where the route loops back southwards through the wooded parkland:




Arriving at the Victoria Expo Centre:




The torch arrives at the LTU arena where the Horizon Cup Final is taking place between Hamilton FC and Elden City. The torch is run onto the field held by both captains at half time. The Hamilton FC captain was by far the happier, as his team were 1-0 up at the time:




As the whistle blows for the second half to begin, the torch is making it's way down Victoria's famous shopping street, Manchester Road. Unfortunately, the crowds there prevented Mr Martin Ecclestone from buying a last minute gift for his tenth anniversary. It proved to be the final nail in the coffin in his marriage, and Mrs Ecclestone kicked him out. Mr Ecclestone however is only one of the very few citizens not enjoying the festivities:




The torch arrives at it's final stop on the historic waterfront. A firework display begins and crowds take advantage of the festival atmosphere by partying under the city lights as the torch is paraded up and down the waterfront by prominent New Gelderlanders. Even the football supporters have now arrived to join in with the celebrations, though the fans of Hamilton FC were a little disappointed that their team threw away their half time lead. Elden City won the cup with a deserved 3-1 victory. Plenty of beer, music and dancing flowed onto the waterfront as the fireworks cracked over the bay:



The torch eventually slipped out quietly as the city partied on the waterfront, making it's final bicycle journey through the quiet suburbs on the way to Victoria international Airport, where it is to board a plane to Vanire Cap-Pele, Novland for the eighth day of the torch relay of the XI Simlympiad.

The day's statistics:

Total number of;
Wasp stings: 63
Bee stings: 0
New relationships begun: 27 (thanks to fireworks and beer)
Relationships ended: 1 (sorry wasn't enough for poor Mr Ecclestone)
Tonnes of trash: 21 (including ticker tape & confetti)
Gallons of ale drunk: 502
Approx number of cumulative spectators: 194,000 (53,482 at the Horizon Cup Final)
Participating athletes: 91
Participating Prime Ministers: 0.5 (Prime Minister De Vries suffered from lactic acid part way through her short run)
Newly wealthy Ice cream van owners: 53
Number of street cleaners working overtime tomorrow: All of them!

very nice

another FANTASTIC relay!

That was magnificent !

I have to admit now that we're getting good more experience at these relay events they are getting better and better.

Very nice relay. I loved the statistics.

Great relay!

Excellent

Very good post. Excellent crowd photoshopping, by the way.

Great Relay!

Thanks everybody! That was fun

Wow, one of the most nicely done relays I've seen.

Impressive .