The Heaven Can Wait Charity Sailing Regatta (HCW) – organised and run by the Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto (RMYCT), is all about fund raising for the Hunter Branch of Cancer Council NSW and Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue.

In the 16 years since the start of the regatta, proceeds from the HCW has now attained the magic number of more than $Half a Million raised in support of the charities.

The 2022 event – held in February, raised $35,000 and that took the total raised since its inception to $512,000.

Regatta Directors and Vice Commodore of RMYCT said ‘despite the setbacks caused by the aftereffects of the second round of the Covid19 outbreak, and limited access to Lake Macquarie because of the silting of the Swansea Channel, the funds raised from the 2022 event and the overall total now achieved, was a very satisfying and successful result’.

Titoki

50 boats – about the same as in 2021, crossed the starting line for the 2022 event. ‘Weather conditions could only be described as challenging. Competitors in the 12- and 24-Hour night races experienced winds up to gale force (34 knots) and as you would expect, did force several retirements. Whilst there was no structural damage to boats, there was damage to sails and in some cases crew pride. I am assured however, that they will be back again in 2023’ Mr. Steiner said.

49 boats entered the long One Lap Dash with 45 boats finishing. 3 boats entered in the Short One Lap Dash with 1 boat finishing. 12 boats entered the 12 Hour Race with 8 boats finishing and 7 boats entered the 24-hour race with 4 finishing.

Nathan Outteridge on a foiling windsurfer

The record for the One Lap Dash was broken by Nathan Outteridge on a foiling windsurfer in a time of 2h 9m 45s – quite a feat for a 30 nautical mile course. The previous record was Andrew Sim in 2019 in 2h 11m 20s and prior to that it was again Nathan Outteridge in 2013 with a time of 2h 14m 14s.

The handover presentation of cheques to the charities will take place at the Royal Motor Yacht Club at 10.00am on Wednesday May 4th. Greg Piper will be on hand to assist with the presentations, along with Shawn Lewicki – initiator of the Heaven Can Wait Charity Sailing Regatta, representatives for the Hunter Branch of the Cancer Council, Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue and our Primary Sponsors, Marmong Point Marina, and Rotary.

More information, results and photos can be found at www.heavencanwait.com.au