Aerial delivery for Australia’s best known ocean race

• NEWS
• 24 Nov, 2004 04:40:00 PM

Aerial delivery for Australia’s best known ocean race

NSW Coastal residents are used to helicopters flying up the beach towing advertising but this morning, they were treated to an unusual sight – that of a Rural Fire Service helicopter carrying a 38 metre, 456 kg yacht mast.

NSW Coastal residents are used to helicopters flying up the beach towing advertising but this morning, they were treated to an unusual sight – that of a Rural Fire Service helicopter carrying a 38 metre, 456 kg yacht mast.

The mast was constructed in Nowra and due to its size, could not be transported by road. Instead it travelled over the ocean in a 50-minute trip from Nowra to Sydney in a 100-foot sling under a chopper similar to the ”Elvis” helicopter normally used for fighting bushfires.

Skipper Ludde Ingvall watched in anticipation as the mast was lowered in gusty 25 knot winds from the helicopter onto a barge near Clarke Island, before making its way to Woolwich Dock for placement on the new 90 foot super maxi, being purpose-built in celebration of this year’s 60th anniversary Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

The barge was required to transport the mast under the Harbour Bridge to the Woolwich Dock as RTA restrictions prevented it flying over the top.

“This was a defining moment for the design team and individuals over the world who are working so hard on the construction of Nicorette,” said skipper Ludde Ingvall.

"We were expecting a sunny day with no wind and had a windy day with rain and we managed to succeed this complicated operation in these conditions," he said.

Nicorette’s keel is also being fitted this week and Ludde hopes to launch the boat next week.

The mast for the Kerr 55 Aera, a UK entry in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race and a strong chance for Overall handicap honours, is also on the move today, being ‘stepped’ on to the boat at Noakes Boatyard at Berry’s Bay, Sydney.