The second leg of the rally concludes in the twisty streets of the Town of Gander in Central Newfoundland. This is one of the favourite parts of the rally for competitors as they navigate the residential streets with hundreds of cheering spectators lining the course.
Gander was once known as the “Crossroads of the World” due to its perfectly positioned airport. Once the largest on earth, with runways big enough to land the space shuttle, it was a strategic location for refuelling and a bustling centre during wartime. Celebrities such as Frank Sinatra and world leaders including Fidel Castro stopped there.
The airport made this community the focal point for human kindness and generosity as highlighted in the hit Broadway play Come From Away. Gander’s airport hosted 38 planes, carrying about 6,600 passengers, after they were forced to land in Canadian airspace after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The people of Gander and surrounding communities took them in and formed lasting bonds with these unexpected visitors. Come From Away is performed throughout the summer at the Joseph R. Smallwood Arts & Culture Centre.
Gander has a population of 12,000 people and is also a service centre to surrounding communities and approximately 80,000 people. The town is home to 9 Wing Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Gander, which includes 103 Search and Rescue Squadron. The North Atlantic Aviation Museum celebrates Gander’s rich aviation history by preserving and presenting stories and artifacts highlighting the town’s role in the development of Trans Atlantic Aviation.
The Silent Witness Memorial is located in a tranquil park dedicated to the memory of the 256 individuals from the U.S. 101st Airborne Division who lost their lives on December 12, 1985 in the Arrow Air Crash.
Gander has a number of restaurants and hotels to choose from including Jungle Jim’s, Rosie’s Restaurant and Bakery, Quality Hotel Gander, Albatross Hotel and Sinbad’s Hotel. The town is also a perfect base to explore central Newfoundland.