by Rod Hughes

Henry Raabe of Cartago had his worst day yesterday and could have lost his lead in the Tour of Costa Rica bibycle race if it had not been for the assistance of two able BCR-Puzza Hut teammates, Federico “Lico” Ramirez, who took the lead in the mountains to give him a breather and then, Jose Adrian Bonilla performed the same service.

Two days ago, Raabe appeared to have an unassailable lead but Francisco Colorado of the Greatwall team proved the hardier mountaineer, threatening to take away the lead in this, the penultimate state of the Tour.

by Rod Hughes

Heavy rains poured down all over the country Christmas Day but nowhere was hit heavier than the Atlantic slope. Flooding sent hundreds into emergency shelters and damaged roads and crops.

Reports of damage were slow to trickle in, but now they tell of four deaths, two missing in the Matina area on the Caribbean coast and two bridges swept away. More than 400 persons left their flooded homes.

The National Meteorological Institute said a change in weather today will alleviate the inclement conditions. Weather experts say that the rains are to be expected in December and January on the Caribbean and the flooding was not caused by hurricane conditions.

Four persons died when their vehicle was swept off the road and into a flooded ditch at La Perla, Siquirres, where 100 homes were flooded. Three dikes also suffered ruptures which added to the havoc.