Christopher Columbus still unable to find correct location
Penn Yan, New York (Combined News Services) ~ Organizers of the Peasantman Steel Distance Triathlons series announced yesterday that a Norse longship has landed on the shores of Keuka Lake in Penn Yan, marking the first time anyone has ever discovered the village.
The Norsemen, also known as Vikings, immediately began constructing ruins of old buildings at Indian Pines Park on the village's western edge. Others engraved messages of encouragement for the racers on large stones in preparation for Peasantman.
"We're just ecstatic that the Vikings have come to take part in the atmosphere of the Peasantman event," race founder Joe McMahon said today in a press release. "We're pretty sure that's what they're here for."
News of the Viking arrival comes as many residents of the newly-discovered village had been betting that Christopher Columbus would be the first to discover them, although some had put their money on Henry Hudson or even Sir Richard Branson.
Unconfirmed reports on Columbus' progress suggest possible sightings of his three ships somewhere near Santa Rosa, New Mexico, a small desert town approximately 150 miles east of Albuquerque.
"We certainly wish him luck on trying to find us, but I'm not pinning my hopes on it," said McMahon of Columbus' efforts. "The Vikings are here. And although we haven't been able to understand anything they've said, we think they've probably come in peace."
(Left) Viking ruins dicovered near Indian Pines Park, believed to have been built around 800-900 minutes ago.
(Above) A rock engraved with a Norse message of encouragement for the triathletes. A professor of archaeology says it simply states "Go!"