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Neptune Day at VOR

Turning tadpoles into sea wolves at the equator crossing ceremony

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All Volvo Ocean Race teams have crossed the equator, which means we have a unique opportunity to see the bald head of yachtsman of the year Peter Berling being shaved or Brazilian Olympic champion Martin Grael being pelted with rotten fish and noodles . The tradition of initiating "tadpoles" (yachtsmen who have never previously crossed the equator) into experienced "sea wolves" dates back more than 400 years. The day a boat crosses the equator is referred to as Neptune Day. On that day, one of the experienced sailors dresses up as Neptune and forces the youngsters to undergo a series of tests, usually involving dousing them in slop and shaving their heads.

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