BONJOUR L'ESTONIE

Markko MÄRTIN does it again

SPAIN - CATALUNYA

Martin takes Rally Catalunya win for Ford
BP-Ford World Rally Team claimed its second world rally victory in two weeks when Markko Märtin and Michael Park won the Rally Catalunya in Spain today. Their Ford Focus RS World Rally Car finished this penultimate round of the FIA World Rally Championship in the mountains north of Barcelona 23.2sec ahead. The result confirmed that Ford will finish second in the manufacturers' series.

Final positions :
1. M Märtin/M Park EE Ford Focus RS 3hr 40min 43.8sec
2. M Grönholm/T Rautiainen FIN Peugeot 307 3hr 41min 07.0sec
3. C Sainz/M Marti E Citroen Xsara 3hr 41min 21.5sec
4. S Sarrazin/P Pivato F Subaru Impreza 3hr 43min 34.2sec
5. P Solberg/P Mills N Subaru Impreza 3hr 43min 50.5sec
6. D Sola/X Amigo E Mitsubishi Lancer 3hr 44min 49.5sec
7. G Galli/G D'Amore I Mitsubishi Lancer 3hr 44min 49.7sec
8. M Hirvonen/J Lehtinen FIN Subaru Impreza 3hr 45min 15.5sec
9. T Gardemeister/P Lukander FIN Skoda Fabia 3hr 45min 21.4sec
10 N Vouilloz/D Giraudet F Peugeot 206 3hr 45min 28.8sec

Skiing in Otepää Vald

Accommodation at Kuutsemäe

Lili Vaiksaar
Arula küla
Otepää vald 67301 Valgamaa

Telephone : 00372 56 600 738

Ostriches Farm

Ostrich Breeding

No need to go elsewhere, there are ostriches too in Estonia.

Description : This farm in Central Estonia gives you the opportunity to observe ostriches, peacocks and different chicken breeds. The farm also has a bee farm.
You can make an omelette from ostrich eggs right there, at our nice barbecue site. Souvenirs are sold at our farm shop (feathers, leather products, T-shirts, honey, etc.)

Telephone : 00372 56 657 199
[email protected]

Cigarettes Baltes

Corsican Rallye

Markko Wins

Markko Märtin and Michael Park today won the Rallye de France after their BP-Ford World Rally Team dominated the asphalt event on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. Their Ford Focus RS World Rally Car crossed the finish line in Ajaccio with a lead of 2min 02.0sec after three-days of flat-out driving over slippery mountain roads.

The Focus RS led the rally, round 14 of the FIA World Rally Championship, from the first of the 387.80km of competition. Märtin and Park won seven of the 12 speed tests.

This was the first asphalt success for the new-design Focus RS and the first sealed surface victory of Märtin's career.
His other three wins have all been on gravel.
The 28-year-old Estonian climbs to to third in the drivers' series
while his victory consolidated second place in the manufacturers' standings for Ford.

Markko Martin (EST/Ford Focus), vainqueur:
«C'est un super moment pour moi de gagner sur l'asphalte pour la première fois. Cela a été un week-end brillant et nous avons eu un rallye impressionnant. Dimanche a été un jour plaisant mais il a fallu passer par des moments très durs vendredi et samedi. Quand j'ai débuté ma carrière, j'avais trois objectifs. L'un était de gagner en Finlande, l'autre de gagner sur asphalte, de préférence en Corse, et enfin de devenir champion du monde. J'ai réussi à atteindre les deux premiers, il m'en reste un à obtenir. En Corse, nous sommes enfin parvenus à tirer tout le potentiel de la Focus sur asphalte. C'était important pour moi de gagner ici et tout le mérite en revient à l'équipe. J'ai vécu un triste été mais maintenant tout va mieux, très bien même».

Cell PHONE new operators

Estonia to get additional cell operators

Bravocom has declared its intention of becoming the first virtual operator in Estonia beginning in January 2005.
Bravocom estimates that after the portability of cell phone numbers is introduced, Estonia can expect 20 new operators.
Estonia currently has three cell phone operators, each with its own network.

EURO Coin

Euro-coin

The Bank of Estonia issued a reminder that the deadline for design entries for the national side of Estonia's future euro-coins is Tuesday, October 19th.

Both individuals and groups may submit entries for the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 eurocent coins and 1 and 2 euro coins.

A jury will select the 10 best designs and the winner, as in Eurovision, will then be chosen via phone voting. Winners will be announced by December 17th.
The ten best designs will be awarded 20,000 kroons and the winner will receive 50,000 kroons.
Estonia's transition to the euro will not take place before the first half of 2006.

European Commissioner KALLAS

Kallas faces Europarliament

Estonia's future European Commissioner Siim Kallas passed the three-hour cross-examination by the Europarliament budgetary committee, his final step before starting work as administrative affairs, audit and anti-corruption commissioner. Kallas should start work in that capacity on November 1.

Kallas promised modern security, an end to wasted money, no tolerance for corruption, openness in official proceedings and better protection to those who reveal corruption. MEPs showed the most interest in how Kallas plans to protect those who reveal corruption.

Kallas said that he would create an atmosphere where critical remarks are welcome and officials who make their positions public are protected. Kallas was accused by some of being too vague in his answers.

VIDEO of Tallinn. mpg

Feel the Touch of Tallinn

is an 4.30 minute video with musical background introducing Tallinn as a modern city with a unique medieval flavour.