Heaven Can Wait regatta - Enter NOW!!

by Heaven Can Wait Media Centre on 24 Sep 2010 Heaven Can Wait charity yacht regatta on Lake Macquarie during the October long weekend (next weekend) will raise funds for men’s cancer research and support program. The Notice of Race is online and online entry is available now.

Commodore Shaun Lewicki asks 'Can everyone please enter their boats as early as possible, like NOW!! to maximise the Charity Fund raising.'

Up to 80 sailing boats – yachts, multihulls, skiffs, dinghies, Foiling Moths and others – racing around Lake Macquarie on Saturday October 2 and Sunday October 3.

This fleet will face the starter off Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto, racing a 28.5 nautical mile course around the lake in the Heaven Can Wait (HCW) charity yacht regatta.

The regatta consists of two events: a 'One Lap Dash' once around the course, and the HCW 24 Hour Race, in which boats sail around the lake as many times as they can over 24 hours.

Boats can enter either or both races.

While the bulk of the One Lap Dash fleet will sail 3-5 person crewed 'sportsboats' – lightweight keelboats carrying giant spinnakers – yachts and trailer-sailers, there is also a growing fleet of skiffs, which can literally leap from the water in strong conditions, as well as other skiffs, dinghies and now the spectacular 'foilers' being sailed by the likes of Tom Slingsby and Nathan Outteridge sailing Moths. (Just spoke to Nathan who hopes to see five Moths!)

The longer-distance HCW 24 Hour Race will see larger yachts slogging it out around the course over 24 hours, with all the challenges of night-time sailing, in-shore navigation, proper watchkeeping and fatigue management.

Multiple World Champions Tom Slingsby and Nathan Outteridge wil be sailing their own Foiling Moths in the One Lap Dash, and are also lending their strong support to the HCW fundraising activities, through sponsorship of their boats in the race, along with being guest speakers at the Heaven Can Wait Charity fundraising dinner at Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto the night before the race (Friday, October 1).

This will be a great opportunity for sailors racing in the event to hear these young world-class sailing stars – and there will be plenty of time for questions and answers.

Bookings for the Heaven Can Wait Charity Dinner are open NOW on the event website at www.heavencanwait.com.au.

Skippers and crews of boats who have entered the HCW Charity Regatta will get first priority when booking for this dinner.

The HCW Charity Regatta is now in its fifth year. Conceived and set up by Lake Macquarie sailor and cancer survivor Shaun Lewicki, the event raises funds for men’s cancer programs run through the Cancer Council NSW – with some monies also going to Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie, which provides on-water support and rescue services.

Last year, the event raised nearly $22,000 for the charities it supports.

Entry to the race is just $30 for the One Lap Dash and $50 for the 24 hour race (or $70 for both) – with entrants paying these fees required to raise minimum amounts from crew, friends, family and supporters.

Detailed information, including the Notices of Race and other documentation, along with online Entry is available at www.heavencanwait.com.au.

Or email info@heavencanwait.com.au, ph 0419 236 704.