Delivery

by John Curnow on 5 Sep 2016 Just making sure no one saw Deliverance as the headline. There’ll be no banjos and canoe trips here, thank you. Moreover, it was a combination of the time of year, some of the phone calls I had taken over the weekend, and the 20 hours I had put in behind the wheel that l converged together to deliver me to this point. (Absolutely fully intended, in case anyone was wondering).

Reflecting now, it was probably the countless dashes down the road that ensured this subject was going to be top of mind. Maybe a part of my mind had wandered off to thoughts of boat trips, as a way to keep myself entertained over the drone from the tyres as they loped along the concrete ribbon.

Now that boat watching season is complete, at least for the racers, I was also reflecting upon how all the craft that had gone up would either be now, or very soon, returning once more. Interestingly, I had seen the sportsboat, Where’s Wal?, at the top of the F3 only a short while ago, or at least that’s what it felt like…So whether on the road or their own bum, the traffic will once again be flowing, only this time back South.

At any rate, two calls from sailing friends certainly solidified it all, and now here we are with this editorial. The first was telling me how his delivery out into the Pacific isles was back on and that he was taking off soon, now that the rig check was complete and the stick was back in.

I think he actually wanted to tell me how they had cranked the big girl up in the first sail since and she was going to despatch her miles out into the big blue with aplomb. If the whole delivery thing had not been solidified in my mind at that point, it soon was when I learned that his brother had just been onboard for Wild Oats XI’s return to Sydney.

Now the second nautical mate had wrung up to talk about a range of things and I also learned that he was still out there plying the seas delivering boats to locations near and not so near. I could not believe he had recently retired from his day job. I think I always knew he had one, but he is one of those sailors you just always think never had one, for he was just meant to be around boats….

BTW, should anyone be interested, the package pictured here was delivered safe and well to its new owner. He was delighted with his delivery skipper, for it arrived all as it started off. A million pieces and about as many hours required to now restore it and get it back on the road. Good luck to him!

Right then. Talking about delivery, here’s one about either staving off the ultimate version, or provision of critical services, depending on your outlook. Back in the day, not too long after Sean Lewicki had created the Heaven Can Wait regatta, I had been fortunate enough to attend both the dinner and the regatta itself. The former had stars appear, like Tom Slingsby and Nathan Outteridge, and then there was one where a hitherto unknown, but terrifically affable beanpole was one of the guests of honour. Today he has a Silver Medal around his neck and everyone knows the name, Will Ryan.

In terms of the regatta, the all-in start was a delight to witness, as too those competing in the One Lap Dash of Lake Macquarie. The latter was great to see, as Five Ohs and Foiling Moths charge around. Reminds me, must go and see if the record still stands…

The 2017 iteration of Heaven Can Wait is on February 18 and 19. There is still the dash, plus the 12 and 24-Hour as many laps as you can muster categories. It looks like all manner of craft can now get involved with a Dinghy Dash and Short One Lap Dash on offer. See the website! for details…

Proceeds will go to the Hunter Branch of Cancer Council NSW, and specifically, the delivery (yes, there’s that word again) of their Home Help Program, which provides support to terminal Cancer patients who, because of their condition, are unable to fulfil their domestic duties. Nice one – well done!

As a total aside, Australian Etchells crews are doing well early in the account at the Worlds in Cowes. Cool. Keep it up please John Bertrand, Chris Hampton and their crews. So whilst talking Etchells, remember the season opener, if you will, is the Etchells Queensland State Championship on October 1 to 3 inclusive. Should be a good hit out, as always. Accordingly, there is simply the proverbial plethora of material for you to explore and review.

Now if you would like to receive the Sail-World newsletter each week, then please go to the 'Newsletter' button at the top of the Sail-World home page and enter your details. Simples...