Rum squalls are made in Heaven!

With the 58th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race officially closed for 2006 some crews have gone their individual ways, others are still frantically trying to get their yachts back home and the rest are catching up on work, household chores and general sucking up to their respective partners for missing Easter with the kids. These are the people who departed Gladstone with what little pride and dignity they still managed to clutch to after numerous rum squalls and pass outs beneath the shade of Coolabah trees.

There is however, one group of people who sailed aboard a red rocket otherwise known as “Heaven Can Wait”. They were still going strong and basking in well earned glory. With the majority of folk on board being youth, and most making this race their Gladstone debut, you can understand why this team including the racing crew, shore crew, administration, repair and maintenance engineers were still celebrating into the wee hours of Saturday morning (22nd April) after owner Peter Hollis shouted them all a spectacular feast at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Boardwalk Cafe.

Sailing Master Adrian Finglas was employed to pull together crew, prepare the boat, brief the novice ocean racers and live up to the intense Heaven Can Wait reputation. But he only had eight days to complete this task. And complete it he did! Professional yachts men and women together with the youth of ocean racing tuned this yachting machine to full power and sliced the swell and tide to take out numerous divisions and the all important Line Honours place.

The thing that makes the Heaven Can Wait story so inspiring is the fact that Hollis is an enthusiastic advocate for youth sailors. Despite most of his Gladstone crew never competing in the race previously, this did not deter him from signing them on and issuing each with the red crew shirt.

“The reason we succeeded well in this race is because we were brought together and formed a team” said Hollis to his crew just moments before the round of steaks for dinner was served. “It’s important to me to ensure we all work together and remember that none of us would be here if it wasn’t for the support we give each other. Shore and delivery crew, maintenance and repairs are all an important factor of making a great racing yacht the best. I consider myself extremely lucky to be associated with some of this states up and coming yachts men and women. Thank you to all who put in the extra effort to help make this victory a reality”.

HERE HERE!!! Glasses were raised for a toast in honour of Hollis.

An entire re-enactment of the adventures over the Easter break were played out and the majority of the crew still had no idea who left the infamous voice mail message on the phone of a Quest sailor. By the end of the evening however, the person responsible for it raised their hand proudly and said “boy and girls, it was me, just before I lay beneath the Coolabah tree!”

The secret of the message was out, but who won the Golden Pillow? Well, as you know I never mention names, however I am sure some of the crew will advise who took this prestige award home for a snuggle.

It’s a rare thing to have an owner like Peter Hollis and each an every person involved with the yacht is thankful to be given the opportunities he offers. It makes scrubbing the bilge much easier when you know your efforts are appreciated!

Click here to view a selection of photos taken on the night of the victory dinner.