Gillawa's ode to Maluka

by Anna Van Haaren/Rolex Media Centre on 28 Dec 2006 Gillawa, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race wooden-spooner for the past two years, has been killing time in the back of the fleet by composing a poem. Crew member Anne van Haaren penned the ode to Gillawa’s fellow ‘little’ boat, Maluka, which is the oldest and smallest boat in the fleet.

Anne said the Gillawa crew is in good spirits although skipper David Kent is nursing a head cold.

'It’s very, very cool although we have good breeze of 10-15 knots, gusting to about 18 knots,' said Anne.

'The sea swell is about 1-2 metres and it’s a little slow going.

'We don’t think we’ll get there (Hobart) in time for New Year’s Eve, we’re thinking New Year’s Day.'

Gillawa is currently second last in the fleet with Alex Whitworth’s Berrimilla, which seems to be caught without any breeze, the last boat.

Both boats are positioned between Eden and Green Cape, although Berrimilla is well out to sea while Gillawa is hugging the coast. Based on its current speed and position, Berrimilla will arrive in Hobart on 28 January which could be the longest Sydney Hobart journey in the history of the race. Maluka is currently 59th in the fleet sailing off Gabo Island at the entrance to Bass Strait.

There are still 69 yachts at sea in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, with the front runners expected to arrive at Constitution Dock late this evening.


POEM BY GILLAWA CREWMEMBER ANNA VAN HAAREN

The mighty Maluka passed us by,
Shiny new sails and looking spry.
For a while there we kept her stern,
As night fell we were soon to learn
That off she went like a well oiled shot
Dreams of competition with her?
Gillawa, I think not!
No competition, alas with our tired old sails,
No matter how many bods we put on the rail.
Ah well, Maluka – here’s to you!
May you sail the seas long as wooden boats do.