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On race day, 21^st Dec 2000 we had TV coverage on the Today Show. Steve Lieberman & Tracey Grimshaw, interviewed Captain Con Eliades & ALF Tas Chairman James Markos on board the Cat, followed by the departure of the Cat & release of the pigeons. Evening TV news coverage was achieved across Australia that day. Southern Cross & WIN news covered the reception function held at the Ferry Terminal in George Town, to greet the Cat. This included a sausage sizzle & face painting (courtesy of George Town Rotary & Lions Clubs), C&W music by Jim Welch (included a commemorative song he wrote) & a release of pigeons. The Today Show reported the race outcome on 22.12.00 & newspaper articles were printed that day in The Examiner & The Mercury.

The race was won by The Cat which completed the 420 km journey in 6.5 hours (65 kph). The first pigeon returned 2 hours later (Highland Lass, 47 kph, belonging to Stephen Ponsonby of Ulverstone). The pigeons were the favourites but were delayed by a warm north-easterly wind.

This event raised the profile of The ALF in Tas & nationally, & it raised approximately $20,000 for medical research into lung disorders. The event required an enormous amount of work from a lot of supporters, to whom The ALF is very grateful. We do not have the resources to stage it again it this year; …perhaps next year, if the Bass Strait catamaran service continues & especially if it is available earlier than December (which is after the usual pigeon racing season). Thank you again to everyone who helped us with this novel event.