Special Delivery - 1 Tonne Mast for Etihad Stadium Maxi Yacht
 

Hi,

I caught a glimpse last night on the news of Etihad Stadium's mast being unloaded from the nose of a 747 Freighter but didn't catch any of the other details apart from the $200,000 freight costs for this item.

Does anyone have any further details, was this a special charter or did the mast come in on the regular Frankfurt freighter flight?

I understand the mast is Alfa Romeo's spare and had to be air freighted from France after Etihad Stadium demasted on its delivery sail from Melbourne to Sydney.

I am a bit confused as the mast arrived (I am presuming in Melbourne?) at 1:30am Tuesday morning, but (the boat) Etihad Stadium is in Sydney and the mast is being fitted tonight by crane. This also leaves me wondering how they got it from the airport to the boat.

Thanks !

I noticed on the shot on the news that the nose of the 747 had "Operated on behalf of Qantas Airways" which suggests it was one of the Atlas 744Fs. Didn't notice a rego.

I saw it on the news too, and they said it arrived "late last night", except i think it arrived around 9pm, i think N492MC, as the ACARS listed a Atlas Air arrival from Singapore.

Etihad Statdium / Wild Thing blew a mast during thw week. There was some major issues getting it through France to get it to an airport which could cater for a freighter big enough to collect it.

Not 100% sure it will make the Sydney to Hobart Race but a good chance.

Just to clear up the times - it actually arrived Monday night and from the news reports, it started its journey in Switzerland (another competitor had a spare mast there so they had to get it to FRA). They showed it being hand carried out and loaded onto a long truck. It looked like it sat on top of the other freight containers. Quite a logistical task and a hefty bill as well (about $1m) - it will be worth it it they win!

I'm praying for a minor miracle :p

I've always backed Etihad Stadium (Formerly Skandia/Wild Thing), and I've just about had it with this yacht. This year is her last chance to redeem herself in my books. Otherwise I'll have to join the crowd and cheer on Wild Oats XI or something in future :D

The mast has been received and placed on Ethiad Stadium.

they have a couple of days prep and practice before the race.

Barring any other mishaps, they will be racing on boxing day !

Yes the mast came in on N429MC, on Monday. It then ferrried to MEL and took some cattle to Indonesia.

Thanks for the additional info. Personally I hope Alfa Romeo is first to cross the line. The freight bill is a nice little Christmas bonus for Qantas. I guess we will know in 48 hours or so if it was worth it.

failure, as the Etihad Stadium withdrew within minutes of its start

a very very costly exercise