Heaven Can Wait Charity Sailing Regatta highly successful

by Melvyn (Mel) Steiner on 22 Nov 2013 Once again, the Heaven Can Wait Charity Sailing Regatta held on the weekend – November 16-17, delivered challenging weather conditions despite a change in the date of the 2013 event aimed at running the event in kinder and warmer conditions.

The race start was spectacular – 56 boats in a blaze of colour with a spinnaker start off Bolton Point heading towards Speers Point, a site not seen in the area for some time. The start was initiated from Solar Sailor – well known catamaran ferry on Lake Macquarie, with a canon being fired to get the yachts on their way.

Weather conditions for the start were pretty good – no rain and around 15 knots of breeze, but the forecast was not looking good – strong winds and rain were predicted and the forecasters got it right. By nightfall, winds were picking up and it was’nt too long before short duration rain squalls caused white outs with visibility down to just metres in some cases. Almost constant rain was a feature in between the squalls. By Sunday morning, the winds were easing, but heavy rain had settled in.

Of the 56 boats that started, 52 competed in the One Lap Dash – a 30 Nautical Mile handicap sprint around the lake, 23 competed in the 12 Hour Race and 18 in the 24 Hour Race – the latter two being handicapped distance over time races where the aim is to travel the greatest distance in the 12 or 24 hour period. The 24 Hour race – particularly in the conditions for this year’s race, is by all accounts, a test of endurance.

Star performers in the One Lap Dash included Nathan Outteridge on his moth - Halyz, taking line honour’s in Division 1 and Matt Bonser in his Melgas 24 – Watch Me, taking out line honour’s in Division 2. Handicap winners were Shaun Carroll in his trimaran – Morticia in Division 1 and Scott Kennedy and crew on their Shaw 650 - Barely Legal in Division 2.

The standout performer in the Division 1 distance races was Shaun Carroll’s trimaran – Morticia, taking line honour’s in both the 12 and 24 Hour races and handicap in the 12 Hour race. Handicap winner in the Division 1 24 hour race was Justin Brownbill’s Sydney 36 – Botany Access Cocomo. Shaun Carroll travelled in excess of a staggering 250 nautical miles in the 24 hour race period.

Division 2 winners saw Malcom Thomson’s Young 88 – Pistol Dawn taking out line honour’s in both the 12 and 24 Hour races as well as handicap in the 24 Hour race. Graeme Booker’s Sonata 26 took out the handicap winner for the 12 Hour race.

The Team’s trophy went to Balmain Sailing Club represented by Malcom Thompson (Pistol Dawn – Young 88), Lindsay Fletcher (Dream Weaver – Hunter 33) and Michael Meehan (Play On – Seewind 1000).

Of course, the Heaven Can Wait Charity Sailing Regatta is not all about yacht racing. It is about raising money in support of the Hunter Branch of the NSW Cancer Council and more particularly domestic support programs that assist cancer patients whilst they are recovering. A small amount of the funds raised also goes to Marine Rescue who provide on water rescue support during the running of the event. Funds raised this year are still being tallied but are expected to be in the order of $35,000.

Pre race arrangements for the Heaven Can Wait Charity Sailing Regatta, include a charity dinner held on the Friday night before racing starts on the Saturday. A normal feature of the dinner are interviews with current and upcoming local yachting personalities. This year we were blessed with yachting royalty with Liesl Tesch – Paralympics gold medalist from the London Games. Nathan Outteridge – currently second placed in the Moths worlds, 49’r gold medalist and skipper of Swedish Americas Cup contender – Artemis. Haylee Outteridge - Nathan’s sister and Rio Olympic hopeful, and finally Kyle Langford – wing man on the successful challenger for the Americas Cup – Oracle. All of these sailing stars were interviewed in depth by local boating columnist – Mark Rothfield, keeping the audience totally entertained for over an hour. Other dinner highlights included a charity auction and the raffling of a five day bareboat charter in the Whitsundays provided by Charter Yachts Australia – that prize having been secured by local yachtie, Simon Rock.

A first for the Heaven Can Wait Charity Sailing Regatta this year, has been the significant sponsorship and support from local business’s and charity support groups. Thanks must go to major sponsor in both financial and resource terms – Marmong Point Marina, secondary sponsor – Centennial Coal, plus Lifestyle Marine, Delta Energy (Vales Point), Wangi Workers Club, Belmont 16’s and local and surrounding Rotary Groups who not only provided donation support, but also provided resource to do much of the hands on work to bring this event to fruition.

The support of the Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto, cannot go unnoticed. A change to the organization of this year’s event saw the Royal Motor Yacht Club take over responsibility for both the organization and running of the regatta. And without their support, the event would not happen.

Dates for next year’s event will be decided and published very soon with the hope of increasing the numbers and making it an even bigger spectacle in 2014, so stay tuned.