ABOUT $30,000 was raised at the recent Heaven Can Wait charity sailing regatta on Lake Macquarie.
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More than 60 boats from Newcastle, Sydney and many Lake Macquarie clubs took part in this year's regatta, which was part of the inaugural Lakefest Aquatic Week.
Event chairman Mel Steiner said the main beneficiary would be the Hunter branch of the NSW Cancer Council, with a smaller amount going to Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue.
The regatta is run as three concurrent races on a course that covers the length and breadth of the lake.
"The first race, a One Lap Dash is, as the name implies, a race around the lake - a distance of about 30 nautical miles," Mr Steiner said.
"Participants in the One Lap Dash may go on to do a 12- and/or 24-hour race which are distance over time events - the winners being those boats that cover the greatest distance in the time limits."
Boats racing overnight are supported by six vessels anchored around the lake - owned and crewed by RMYC Toronto members, and Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue.
The Heaven Can Wait Regatta is the brainchild of Shaun Lewicki - a keen sailor and cancer survivor.
"Cancer survival rates have improved dramatically in recent times and in line with that, so has the need to provide domestic assistance to recovering, and terminal, cancer patients," Mr Steiner said.
"The Heaven Can Wait charity sailing regatta is now very much focused on raising funds to do just that."
This year's winners.-
One Lap Dash, Division 1: Line Honours, Toy Story, Thomas Woods.
12-Hour, Division 1: Stealthy, Bob Cowen. 24-Hour, Division 1: Stealthy, Bob Cowen. Biggest Fund Raiser, Yes Dear, Michael Paul.