The Inaugural Raffertys Heaven can Wait 24-hour Yacht Race 2006

Before I dive into the nuts and bolts of this years Race, I'll take you back a couple of years and start from there, namely because a couple of Goals I set for myself back then fell into place this October Long weekend.

The 24th June 2003 will long be etched in my memory as the day my life would change forever.

The Big "C" was the diagnosis, and for a guy living in his prime, this was a body blow and a somewhat difficult pill to swallow.

I've always lived my life knowing that if in any troublesome situation I'd want to know the very worst it can be and deal with that, rather than pussy foot around with bits and pieces, however well this plays is out of course is subjective, but nevertheless I treated my Cancer with the same mentality and conviction.

On finally being allowed home after months in Intensive Care after my 2nd and 3rd Operations I quickly learnt the value of dreams, because my body as smashed up as it was would it once again allow me to ride high and sail my faithful Young 780 Sportsboat and race again.

I'd spend hours trying to get myself out to my boat only to have to stop and turn back from exhaustion. For what I didn't know then is the road back from where I'd been was going to be one of the toughest, most painful journey's I'd ever undertaken.

In the Summer of 2004 around October I achieved my first goal, I had climbed up into the cockpit of my Land Locked escape machine and for just a moment I was headed for the wild blue Yonder and it felt good.

During that time I made myself a simple promise, that one day my boat and I would one day get back out on the water and Race once more. I thought of what sort of racing could I still do, was Racing Offshore still an option, or am I setting my expectations just too high.

The end result of all of my surgery was I was lucky just to even be here, let alone take on the rigors of Long Hauled or passage Racing.

I'd settled into living my life 1 day at a time courtesy of my throng of Doctors and Specialists, my wife more so as she knew where I'd been and where I could end up again. So it was the next 24-hours, then the next 24-hours, then the next and so on.

My Oncologist, a painfully shy and highly educated fellow was arguably one of my biggest fans. The type of Cancer I had has a pretty good survival rate courtesy of today's Medicine, however I'd turn out to be any Oncologists worst nightmare, as I found and continue to find news ways of complicating my condition ever further. But for guy that really has a terrible job, we shared more than a few laughs despite all of my setbacks.
On visiting my Oncologist yet another time I noticed a smallish photo at the back of his desk showing him with a gaggle of bald headed kids laughing at something that was obviously very funny, however the logo's on all of their Peak Caps made me think.

With that I went home, and out loud I stated to my boat that for 24-hours sometime in the future the pair of us would take on Lake Macquarie and I'd raise some money in support of my Oncologists Charity of choice the NSW Cancer Council.

I'd had an idea that if I was to fulfill my promise, I'd have to get friends to help me and so that was it.

My Grandmother, easily my biggest fan had always sung my praises namely for my attitude, I'd always said to her that "Heaven was just going to have to wait, cause I've got some Yacht Races to win," which still today always makes her laugh. My tongue in cheek comment would steadily ring louder in my mind and even today as I reflect, was a definitive stage in what would ultimately be known as the "Heaven can Wait" 24-hour Yacht Race.

After a couple of visits from various sailing friends, I ran the idea by them , and the instant response was "This Race could really be a big thing".

In all of the months of Organising the HcW 24-hour, I never once considered the fame that one might attracted if and when my Race became a reality. Sure I'm passionate about it, however I'd no sooner fade into the background rather than be bestowed any glory, because it just isn't me. I simply wanted to organise a race that I thought I could still do.

I'd found Sailing Anarchy some time ago whilst I was undergoing Chemo, but never really had the time or energy to really get into it until after my 3rd Op when being couch bound was all that I could do.

Owning a Sportsboat, I soon found SBA a significant fountain of information, and I found out too that I still had something of relevance to offer albeit longer term memories rather than day to Racing.

The Heaven can Wait 24-hour concept was first posted here on SBA back in June 2005 and the Rest they say is history.

Over the October Long Weekend in 2005, I organised a Trial of the Event predominately to get a feel for the interest out there. 24 boats initially put their hands up to participate, and through one mister meaner or another the Trial fleet started with 7 boats.

3 of the original 7 crews have backed up from last years Trial to do this years Event, and understandably figured prominently in the final results of this Years Race, knowing where to go and what to expect.

I on the other hand had to take in what they'd said and prepare myself in some way to take on the Race for myself.

Organising what is essentially now a large Event for our region, and trying to campaign your own boat seldom pays off, however I had a plan that I'd maintain working on my boat during the day and organise the Race at night. This kind of worked for a short time, before the mindless and obscure task of confirming Sponsors became my day and night time vocation, and slowly but more alarmingly the opportunity to work on my boat became somewhat of a Religious experience as the HcW 24-hour began to pick up a following.

In the Summer of 2005 I had 3 or 4 meetings with various potential Sponsors when I was approached by Raffertys Resort. Armed with only my long term Sponsor NAVMAN Marine Electronics, I sat down with the owner of the Resort and much to my surprise was offered the lifeline far beyond any of my expectations and agreeing on terms was merely a formality.

During that same week I'd been offered a deal with Prime TV, one of our regional Television Stations, so needless to say any desperation I'd harboured that week soon became forgotten. The Raffertys Heaven can Wait 24-hour now had grown wings and we were flying.

Between Renee from Raffertys Resort and I, we would secure Ensign Wines, Newcastle International Airport, Stockland Holdings Ltd, RFD Australia and of Course Sailing Anarchy USA as the principle Sponsors for the event that we are indebted to for their assistance.

With a month or so to go till the Start of the Inaugural Event, my poor boat sat in pieces, I just couldn't get time to get anywhere near it. Two close friends from my Yacht Club soon took it on amongst themselves to alternate working on my boat and between the three of us we made effective headway, with all the little jobs that needed to be done, but more importantly they were finally being done.

With 2 weeks to go, it was tight, we still had much to do on the boat and even more to do on organizing the now Main Event.

Day in day out I'd work from 7am till 2 or 3am sorting out the Race and knocking over the jobs on the boat that had to be done.

Two weeks out and my body started to throw me yet another curve ball, I pulled out a drawer at home. The front of the drawer came off in my hands and the remaining section off the draw effectively back flipped and ran down my shin.

Generally not a big deal normally, however the drawer would carve a nice 1 inch x 1 inch slice out of my shin, which rapidly became infected because of my Lymphedema.

Not content to leave me with this to deal with I broke a tooth in half the same day, and I can say honestly that there is nothing more debilitating and painful than a broken tooth, not to mention me being on Warfarin so the Dentist couldn't pull out what was left of the tooth.

Finally on the Eve of the Race and armed to the teeth with pain killers and anti-biotics, I delivered the Race Marks to the Eastern Clubs in readiness for the following day. My boats sails were finished and ready to go and at 6pm on the Friday, I realised that I might just make it to that Start line.

Our very own Teaky and active Sailing Anarchist arrived whilst I was out and became an instant idol of my son, if not for the lofty height of the man, it was his Car.

Saturday Morning, Teaky and I got stuck back into it from 6am, drilling this attaching that, until another 2 of my crew appeared and the tempo was increased another notch again. It was rapidly becoming showtime.

Running seriously late to get to the boat ramp, we were met by an assortment of Sportsboats, Anarchist bfp with his Boatspeed 23 Mr Squiggle, The Works an Elliott 770, Vivace a Bethwait 8metre Rocketship and my OSB Heaven… . It was then and there I began to feel the excitement build, I might actually achieve goals today I began to think.

After the Boat ramp Carpark emptied somewhat, we spent a few nervous moments man handling my boats 11metre Rig, finally it stood proud, and we were all set to put OSB Heaven can Wait, back in the water once more.

The inherent problems in expecting a boat that has been lying idle for the better part of the last 3 years to work let alone perform, would prove critical, as fate would throw up 1 last wobble as we would soon find out.

We launched the boat, I parked my 4WD and trailer, and we headed out onto the Race course. Already running late by some half an hour, I steered the boat away from the Wharf, whilst the boys set down the keel. "Bugger" the Keel was stuck up, we continued on believing that the sway of the boat in the fairly heavy breeze would loosen the stuck appendage, with no such luck. Everything all but seemed lost as it was not a great idea to continue in 20-27knots of true breeze with the keel stuck up, so within sight of the Startline, we reluctantly conceded defeat and turned the boat around to head back to the boat ramp. I was guttered to get that close and fall short all because of a keel that wouldn't follow the script.

Teaks not willing to give up started jumping up and down on the problem component, and after 2 or 3 jumps the Centreboard dropped, we were back on.

Running almost an hour late, the main fleet was a blur of sails on the horizon, we headed the boat North and with all of the best intentions we set to get the our small kite up for the short blast down to Pulbah Island, before we'd probably have to drop the kite only to re-hoist once rounding the Island with the larger kite for the broad reach down to Belmont.

Problem number 2 became evident when the Spinnaker sheave refused to work, so we had to change over and use the Jib Halyard.

Great start this was?

Anyway we finally managed to get around the Eastern End of Pulbah island, and with the Raffertys Resort Mark missing in action, we were able to get our larger Spinnaker up and concentrate on the boats we were now in hot pursuit of somewhere in the distance.

We absolutely blasted down the course and one by one we caught the tail enders, by Speers Point, the most Northerly point of the Lake we had our Division in sight.

Game On.

Hang on a minute the mark is gone, and after a few nervous moments debating what our next course of action was, we set about rounding the Volunteer Coastal Patrol boat stationed there and began the tortured belt to windward.

The Work back up the Western shore of Lake Macquarie became a "Bash" as with a number 3, the Main was all but useless in the 30 something Knot gusts, however boat by boat and little by little we made our way up toward the tail end of our Division, by the time we reached the Mannering Park Buoy, we were well and truly in sight of the leaders, and more importantly gaining. My experienced Aussie crew were in awe of the brand new set of sails aloft, not tried until we set sail at the start of this race. They were working beautifully, and it showed in the boats performance.

As darkness fell we rounded the Mannering Park Buoy, and set the spinnaker for what was ultimately the most awesome rides of my life. Settled under our large Red Kite we slid into the darkness, and whilst the winds had eased the expectation of the night hadn't, and amongst the soft glow of the surrounding lights from the shoreline we knifed our way North again.

The winds had eased to around 15knots and due to the altered course, courtesy of the days strong winds we were able to hold the kite the entire length of the Lake.

Just Glorious Sailing, in total darkness with just the soft glow and hum of the shoreline in the distance we set about locating the rounding mark in Belmont Bay, then the replaced mark at Speers point.

With the fading warmth of the day's temperature, and the deceptive ambiance of the night air with the wind following, the rounding of the Speers Point Mark would be a slap in the face if we didn't already need one.

Man it was cold.

In the haste to get the boat in the water and get going to the start, I'd left my nicely folded wet weather gear neatly packed in the back of my car. Not much good there I realised and grabbed what ever would keep the night air at bay.

Armed with a pair of tracksuit pants, a T-shirt and fleecy jacket I resumed my position on the rail and promptly began to freeze. Having a lady on board kept the political correctness almost to an acceptable level of crudeness, however be weary of the Teaky, he is a deviate, and can reduce any civilized conversation into a blue theatrical, which would ease a little of the pain of my progressively freezing. Linda our intrepid female aboard provided me with a little warmth as she did everything…..well almost everything to get some feeling back into my arms and legs. Seriously it was cold.

As with all highly charged particles, the energy eventually runs out and Teaky was no exception. Without a murmur he disappeared into the darkness that was the Cabin and promptly found refuge in the only clear berth downstairs. Without much of a fight the Teakster was in the blissful land of nod and nothing was going to change that.

As the wind progressively lightened the coast back up the Lake became a slow, steady work up the Western Shore, into Toronto round the Mark, harden up then onto Wangi.

I'd noticed the Starboard Nav light dim to the point that its use was negotiable, so I promptly set up the emergency set, then ah oh the Port side started to go as well. TEAKY GET UP…..nothing, so cramps and all I grabbed the suitcase that fixes anything and made my way into the bowels of the boat. Easier said than done just quietly, what with all the eskies, Cartons of beer and well…crap, that had found it's way down there, til finally I reached the boats nerve centre, well batteries anyway. I disconnected the lights battery and re-rigged them into the main house battery, bingo and back into the lands of being visible again.

There is something to be said when in the depths of darkness, we were still surrounded by Nav lights, and it was something else to guess whether they are our Competition or just fishermen. You'd watch for the lights then the tri-angle above them and it consistently provided entertainment as to whether we were catching or falling behind, we always reckoned on the obvious, however it always kept us focused on the chase in front of us.

Pretty consistent winds stayed with us all the way up the work to Wangi, then onto Mannering Park once more. Around 2 or 3 am the wind had dropped out to a Zepher, and produced one of the more spectacular displays of boat handling only seen on rare occasions. On passing the Cardinal mark just off Frying Pan Point the boat started to pirouette uncontrollably and around we went, "aground" sensational. One of the best aspects of sailing a Sportsboat is they don't take much to heal, and without to much drama we were off again.

Obviously pleased to be free of the Mud we sailed on and rounded the Mannering Park Buoy and started back on our way up the Lake. You would not believe what happened next…..Yep…..exactly the same place, and dare I say the same patch of mud we hit bottom again. Aside from laughing the pirouette was happening again, and once more we'd heal the boat out of trouble, and off we went... again, with Teaky blissfully asleep downstairs.

The remainder of the night proved much a matter of just trying to keep warm and awake without upsetting the boat. Any chance we'd had of catching Animus before the dual groundings quickly evaporated after that and they became another light in a sea of colour that was the shoreline.

We sailed to Belmont Bay then onto Speers Point almost by remote control at this stage, and for the better part it was just my crewman Phil and I guiding our steed.
The Two most extraordinary times that are certainly the most vivid have to be dusk and dawn, and this Sunday was no exception, with an almost glassy haze filtering over the water and the smoky spray of clouds across the sky, the Sun began its slow climb over the Eastern Skyline, and with it the last remnants of the night land breeze that had stayed with us all night. Man it was cold.

As the temperature slowly began to rise with the sun, so did Teaky, and so did his sense of humour. Those of us that had remained on deck and more or less glued to our own little section of cockpit all stared at each other almost in amazement as this 6 foot something fellow unravelled himself from the depths of the cabin, "Morning Chaps, where are we?"

You've got no idea how hard that question is on your ear drums when you've had only about an hours sleep in the last 2 days….oh it hurt.

Once the obligatory Monty Python "Morning - Morning - Morning" was over and done with we coasted up the Western Shore again to Toronto. The wind however had obviously forgotten to wake up and we sat, and we sat, and we sat, and we had a really good lesson in Toronto Real estate pricing and a guide to notable landmarks around the place. Geese we had a long enough time to look at them.

Painful it was to become, with the seemingly mindless crawl up the Western shore, and for the first time the entire Division was collectively parked all in the one bay, awesome.

It was Game on if and when the expected Sea breeze began to filter thru. We managed to get past Obsession just before the Toronto Mark, and quickly put in some distance between us. The Other Woman and Terror Two were next on the hit list and we were in stealth mode. It was fair and reasonable that this was all we could achieve in 2-5 knots if that. The Call came over the Radio that our course was shortened and was to be straight to the finish, cool for us, however perplexing those ahead who'd chased what little breeze there was into and around the Wangi Mark.

One of the stunning things and quite frankly startling things to come about that morning was the sheer number of well wishes out on the Lake to cheer us all home, there were hundreds of them, time and again a yacht or Cruiser would coast aside us and cheer us on. It was something I will never forget nor anyone else on the boat. It isn't always easy to look cheery and be so sleep deprived when our well wishers have all had showers, breakfast and a good night's sleep, but it was most enjoyable all the same.

We had finally managed to pull in Terror Two and the Other Woman, and the three of us barrelled down the lake in a slowly building Nor'easter, The Other Woman went for the kite first and we rapidly overtook her as it was just too tight, however the shortened course direction had provided us with a choice, whether to sail over the Top of Pulbar Island, or risk sailing below, we chose the over the top, meanwhile the other two set up for around the bottom.

Usually in a Nor'easter the over the top option was much more favourable as the breeze should stay with you, except for this Sunday Morning on the 1st of October, where the logic of nature left us, and we wobbled our way over and down the side of Pulbar only to watch the other 2 sail past in much better pressure. Oh well it was worth the risk, it just didn't work this time.

The placing's didn't alter as we made our way up to the finish line, and with the blast of the air horn my dream was a reality. I had started and finished something that I had created pretty much on my own, and it felt like nothing else I'd ever done.

My crew were quick to shake my hand and regardless of where we had come we'd already won, and no one could take that away from us.

We dropped the sails and made our way back to the boat ramp, where even more faces greeted us to congratulate me for what we had done.

Easily the most defining moment for me was the friendly handshake from Gybeset obviously moved by the accomplishment and by us all who participated.

For the first time the exhaustion of my body overtook the exhilaration of what I'd just achieved and more than a few tears rolled down my face. For that Sunday basking in the most spectacular of days, the job was done my Goals realized and it felt good.

The Greater Sailing Anarchy family deserve much of the credit for the success of the Inaugural Raffertys Heaven can Wait 24-hour, I just filled in the missing pieces and together we have all created the start of something special for the here and now, and possibly a legend for the future to come.

The Raffertys Heaven can Wait is true test of character, it is certainly not easy, however it is easily the most rewarding race I have ever done, and to share it with so many Sailing Anarchists from far and wide was an honour, and I shall always hold close.

Those Anarchists that form the honour Roll for all their efforts in getting this Event up and running are as follows : Mel, Phil, Don't call me Judge (For a sensational effort just being here all the way from the US) Teaky (Legend), bfp, Wrinkly, Knobblyoldjimbo, Recidivist, Jolly Roger Tornado Crew, Bad Jelly, Bunnabaroo, Gorn Frantic, DAVO, Hair or the dog, Windward Mark, Capt Araldite, MH 111, Bow Girl, Sportscar, Gybeset, Ed and Dawg, SteveAUS, LZ and especially OzRick who is still fighting the good fight - I missed having you here mate.

For those I've forgotten you to can hold your head high.

This was a remarkable Sailing Anarchy effort and I wish to thank you all for your support, as I couldn't have done this on my own.

Job Well Done Sailing Anarchy feel proud, you all deserve it. Oh and we raised in excess of $20,000 for the NSW Cancer Council and the Volunteer Coastal Patrol who also deserve a big thankyou.

Cheers people and a huge thank you,

Shaun (Heaven can Wait)

10/09/06