Etihad Stadium Supermaxi mast is in – now for the tuning

by Etihad Stadium Events on 24 Dec 2009
The heavy lifting has been done, and the replacement mast for the Etihad Stadium Supermaxi is now in place.

The crew and project team downed tools at 4:30am this morning and grabbed a few precious hours of sleep.

All have now re-surfaced and work is underway to get the boom attached to the mast to allow the mainsail to be installed.

Because of its size and weight, it needs a large percentage of the crew to lift and man-handle it.

For Skipper and owner Grant Wharington, waking up this morning and seeing the mast in the boat was a very welcome sight.

'Oh good, it wasn’t just a dream that it (the mast) went in 'he joked.

As one deadline is met, another looms with Christmas Eve now on the doorstep, and the crew, whilst anxious and committed to getting everything sorted with the boat, have also got family commitments to attend to.

'A lot of us have got kids, and because of this crazy week we’ve had, there’s not been a lot of quality time with them in the lead up to their most exciting part of the year, Christmas Day – so we’re hoping to get everyone on their way mid afternoon so they’re home in daylight hours ' Grant said.

There are a number of jobs that need to be done this morning before the boat can be taken for a test sail.

Once out on the water, Grant and his crew will be able to ascertain what further tuning and adjustment needs to be made to the rigging before they get onto Sydney Harbour again on Boxing Day for the start of the 2009 Rolex Sydney Hobart.

One things is for sure, they will be catching up on some sleep on Christmas Day before re-grouping on Christmas night in Sydney.