7:07 AM Sun 20 Dec 2009 GMT
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'Etihad Stadium Mast'
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Rolex Sydney Hobart Race - dismasted nine days ago, on a delivery passage to Sydney. its been a roller coaster ride for the owner and crew of the former Sydney Hobart line honours winner Skandia Wild Thing.
However Project Start Line is on track for the Etihad Stadium Supermaxi with Grant Wharington and his crew pleased with their progress over the weekend to prepare the 98 footer for the arrival of the replacement mast.
The precious carbon fibre cargo is due to touch down at Sydney International Airport on board a Qantas flight from Singapore early tomorrow afternoon (Monday 21 December).
The combined efforts of UBI Logistics, Qantas, Qantas Freight and TNT have been instrumental in what at times originally felt like an impossible dream - but somehow after a week of sleepless nights and many international conference calls, the dream is one more sleep away from becoming reality for the Victorian skipper, well known for his fighting spirit and never say die attitude.
The Etihad Stadium Supermaxi has been half out of the water and up in the slings at Sydney City Marine at Rozelle Bay this weekend. After work is completed, the boat will be re-launched back into the water late tonight in readiness for the mast arrival tomorrow.
It's been a big weekend for the crew, who collectively have a fantastic professional skill set that has allowed this project to progress to where it is - from sail-makers and stainless steel fabricators to electrical engineers and mechanics - they've all pitched in over the last two days to get through a large list of jobs.
Everything possible that could be done to get the boat ready to accept the replacement mast has been done, and work will continue on a number of other variables tomorrow morning.
"We're all pretty exhausted after two big days, but we're feeling good about where we are at " said Grant.
"Obviously the next big thing is the impending arrival of the next big thing - and I'm really looking forward to seeing that Qantas plane touch down in Sydney tomorrow afternoon" he said.
Just one more sleep til the mast arrives, and the Big Race before the Great Race begins.
There will be a team of professionals, together with a number of the crew, working around the clock in the three valuable days that remain before Christmas Day to have the Supermaxi race ready to line up with all the other boats of her size - vying for line honours in the 65th Rolex Sydney Hobart.
"All we want for Christmas is to be ready to turn right at Sydney Heads on Boxing Day - I think everyone associated with Project Start Line will be having a relaxed Christmas celebration.......in January " said Grant.
by Jodye O'Brien
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