Heaven Can Wait builds big lead in Hayman Island Big Boat series.

by Ian Grant on 13 Aug 2000 Popular Sydney 'Old Salt' Warren Johns has justified the time and expense for modifying his yacht Heaven Can Wait.

John's and long term friend Sir James Hardy were on deck today when principal helmsman Jamie Wilmot steered her to a convincing line and handicap win to lead the Hayman Island Big Boat championship.

Heaven Can Wait has returned triumphantly to the top circle of ocean racing after spending several years at her Sydney hard stand.

However Warren Johns who had finished with a deserved third place in the 1993 World 50 footer series was determined to return with his faithful ocean racer.

He commissioned Englishman Hugh Welbourn to create the line drawings for the modifications carried out by Boatspeed at Gosford (NSW).

The results have proved outstanding in her first full scale races in the Hayman Island series clearly winning line honours in all three races sailed to date besides recording a convincing title lead with the impressive 1-1-3 on corrected handicap.

Despite being still relatively untuned Heaven Can Wait clearly excelled in the 40 n/ml Border Island race today finishing over 16 minutes ahead of Kevin Pearce in Ausmaid and Cruz Control co skippered by Maynard and Vicki Smith.

As expected Warren Johns was 'stoked' with the result as explained by helmsman Jamie Wilmot who also skippered the sloop prior to her modifications.

"Heaven has always been a good performer upwind, she is now stiffer and faster than before with an added 3knot improvement in speed downwind; she just feels great". Wilmot said after today's impressive win.