International Graphite Fremantle to Bali Race & Rally - Preview

Obsession - 2018 Rockingham Race Regatta © RFBY

Phil and Robbie Hearse's International Graphite are the naming sponsor for the 2020 Fremantle to Bali Race & Rally. Already fully involved in the event with Kondili, the Hanse 52 which ranks as one of the favourites in the Rally fleet, Phil and Robbie have now given the event financial stability.

International Graphite is a Western Australian company aiming at world leadership in renewables energy storage systems. It will establish its project in Collie in 2021, creating a technology hub manufacturing products used in Li-ion batteries, mobile phones and computers.

Although the 2020 International Graphite Fremantle to Bali Race is the first time Obsession will visit the Island of the Gods, it's certainly not the first for her owner Paul Arns. Paul sailed with Alan Brierty in 2011 on the incomparable TP62 Limit, which shattered the existing race record. He followed that up in 2013 in his own yacht Wasabi and again in 2015 but was forced to retire at Exmouth.

For Obsession 2020 is the beginning of a huge adventure. Part of the motivation is the desire to be a part of FSC's centenary year celebrations, but when the race is over, Obsession is heading to Queensland, where Paul will campaign her in Hamilton Island Race Week and possibly other east coast events.

Paul expects Obsession to do well, pointing out that while the boat's strength is upwind, she has improved her reaching and running performance and has several new sails aimed at consolidating that. In shorter coastal races, Obsession typically sails with a crew of 10 but for Bali this will be reduced to eight, with space and weight being the main considerations for the change. All can steer the boat but four are very experienced helmsmen in their own right.

Paul's wife and co-owner Ceris will take up her normal post as navigator, relying on Expedition software for routing.

Obsession is set up for Category 2, so very few additions were needed to move up to category1 for the Bali trip. They have AIS (mandatory for Indonesian waters), a ten-man life raft and a water maker. In addition Paul is having a new emergency rudder made and is beefing up the yacht's satellite communications.

While all boats have obligatory first aiders, Paul has gone one further - one of his crew is a registered nurse and four others are senior first aiders. In keeping with their detailed preparation, it will come as no surprise to learn that the team is keeping fit and has a "health and wellbeing at sea" program planned before the race start.

We'll certainly miss the blue and white wonder on the west coast next season, but can be consoled by the fact that Paul, Ceris and their crew will be great advocates for WA in their travels. We wish them well.

A freight container has been organised to allow boats to send up cargo that they do not want to carry aboard for the journey from Fremantle. Such items as cruising mainsails, inflatable dingies, etc., are just some of the "wish list" equipment which has previously not been possible.

Skippers who want to take advantage of this service need to contact Ron Greer via ron.greerwa@gmail.com promptly to make arrangements. Please advise a description of the items you want to send and its approximate dimensions and weight. The cost will include delivery to Benoa.

Commodore Ron Greer, Rear Commodore Sail Bill Henson and Bernie Kaaks took the opportunity to bring the International Graphite Bali Race & Rally to radio last week in a 30-minute interview with host Ed Fethers. To listen to the podcast of the broadcast, go to www.sportfm.com.au and click podcasts. 91.3 continues to be a great supporter of sailing.

Don't miss Dr Helga Weaving's session on medicine at sea, scheduled for this Thursday, 27th February, starting at 6:30pm. For those of you who don't know Helga, she is a medical practitioner and an active offshore sailor who understands a long voyage and medicine with limited resources. The session will include practical elements like stapling and the correct way to administer injections. There will be Q&A opportunities at the end.

Sailing Manager Christina Heydon circulated a reminder that although entries will have closed by then (they close on 27th March), sailors who have registered and paid for a SSS course being run on the 28th and 29th March and who subsequently pass the course, will be eligible as crew.