2019 Heaven Can Wait Charity Sailing Regatta: Less than one week to go
by Melvyn Steiner 18 Feb 2019 12:38 NZDT
23-24 February 2019
The dates again, are February 23 and 24 with the Heaven Can Wait Charity (Auction) Dinner to be held on Friday February 22nd.
Around 40 boats entered so far – it all happens in the last week which is a nightmare for handicappers.
Having said that, our handicappers have been working tirelessly to develop handicaps for all boats previously entered in the Heaven Can Wait Regatta as well as boats that have not entered but may still be considering entry. Handicaps are based on performance history in previous Heaven Can Wait appearances as well as appearances in the Lake Macquarie R K Robertson Series and club point score races. You can view the handicap list by going to the Latest News page on the Heaven Can Wait website.
The NOR and Sailing Instructions are now available to view and download. You can view these by going to the Latest News Page on the Heaven Can Wait website.
And don't forget, if you are fundraising via the Doitforcancer site as part of your entry, the amount of money you raise will be used to bribe and corrupt the handicappers into adjusting your handicap for the One lap Fundraisers Dash – a One Lap Dash race held inside the real One Lap Dash, for which there is a Special Trophy which not only recognises your sailing prowess, but also your fundraising skills.
There are still seats available for the Charity Dinner which - as previously advised, is shaping up to be a ripper with some exciting guests to be interviewed by well-known ABC Newcastle sporting commentator – Helene O'Neil. Guests include local yachting personality - Kyle Langford - Americas Cup participant and more recently, Volvo Round the World Ocean Race participant. Kyle will join local yachting personality - Tom Braidwood who also has been a competitor in a number of legs of the Volvo Round the World Ocean Races including the most recent race, and Erica Kirby – International Protest Judge and Protest Committee member present for the Wild Oats / Commanche Protest hearing following the 2017 Sydney Hobart Race. The Charity Dinner will be held on Friday February 22nd at the Royal Motor Yacht Club at 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start. You can book tickets now by emailing Jan Richardson at or calling her on 0419 902 466. Tickets are $60 each and include a 2 course meal and some wine. Payment is by credit card – do not include your Credit Card details in the email – Jan will call you for details. Just make sure your contact number is on the email. What a line-up – You need to be there!
Pre-race entertainment will once again be provided by well-known Hunter region aerobatic pilot – Paul Bennet of Paul Bennet Air Shows. Those who participated in last year's regatta will recall Pauls stunning aerobatic work over the waters in front of the Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto and I am sure he will be equally as stunning for the 2019 regatta.
The Heaven Can Wait Regatta is no ordinary regatta. It is not only a event that involves some pretty challenging – even endurance level racing, but it is also a major fund raising event for the Hunter Branch of Cancer Council NSW and specifically their Home Help Program. The Home Help Program provides domestic support to both recovering and terminal cancer patients who - because of their condition, are unable to fulfil their domestic responsibilities. A small amount of the funds raised also goes to Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue who provide on water support during the running of the regatta. So, by entering this regatta, you will not only have a great sailing experience, but you will also be Doing the right thing and helping a charity that helps so many other people in need.
The Entry System is open and you can register by going to www.rmyctoronto.com.au/hcw-race-entry. Don't forget - this is a fund raising event and as a competitor you are expected to raise funds in support of the charities. You can do this by creating your own fund raising page via the 'doitforcancer' site when you enter the regatta (preferred option), or by paying a premium for your race entry. As was the case last year, the more money you raise gives you the chance of getting a better handicap in the One Lap Fundraisers Dash – a race that runs in parallel with the One Lap Dash and one in which the handicapper can be bribed for a better handicap in order to win the Fundraiser Dash Trophy.
Once again, The HCW Regatta will be a part of Lakefest – a celebration of aquatic activity on Lake Macquarie from Saturday February 16 through Sunday March 3 and details of the Lakefest events will be posted on the Lakefest website. There will be lots of activity on the Lake, so why not come up early and participate in some of the other events planned for Lakefest.
All you need to do is free up your time for this great event – whether it be a quick dash around the lake with the One Lap Dash, the Challenge of the 12 Hour race or the 24 Hour Endurance Race. Just be there.
We look forward to seeing you on the 22nd for the dinner and / or the 23rd for the Regatta.