Tuesday, July 5, 2011

  Longest line of socks: New Zealand sets world record (Video)

AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- To encourage schools, organisations and individuals throughout New Zealand to celebrate leadership in action and to remember a great New Zealand leader, Sir Peter Blake, more than 30,000 socks from around the country were gathered; the Sir Peter Blake Trust was able to string a line stretching over three kilometres with the help of Westpac staff, community groups and schools - setting the new world record for the Longest line of socks .

  Photo: The World's Longest Line of Socks. Photo: Maarten Hall ( enlarge photo )

  The Guinness world record for the longest line of socks measured 2,324.08 m (7,624 ft 11 in) and was achieved by the Erlebnispark Tripsdrill (Germany).

Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the most socks sorted in one minute: 19 pairs, achieved by Joanne Wright (USA) at the offices of Dunnhumby USA in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

  The world record attempt was organised by the Sir Peter Blake Trust and supported by Foundation Partner Westpac, PBT Group, Gallagher Group and Placemakers, as part of Red Sock Day celebration.

  Sir Peter Blake liked to wear his red socks for good luck, and during the America's Cup Challenge of 1995 New Zealanders supported the boat by putting on their own red socks.

  Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand and Lady Susan worked alongside Wellington Phoenix players and coach Ricki Herbert, volunteers and local school pupils to peg up the socks.

The Sir Peter Blake Trust brought back the red socks in 2010, and over 80,000 New Zealanders celebrated with us on Red Socks Day.

  The record attempt was measured by a qualified surveyor, witnessed and filmed.

  Some of the socks used in the record attempt will be donated to Christchurch schools.

Sir Peter Blake Trust chief executive Shelly Campbell says red socks are still symbolic for Kiwis.

  The record attempt is part of the trust's annual Leadership Week which runs until July 8.

 "Peter set a few world records, so we thought it would be great to set one of our own this year."