Sorbent Helsal II Brisbane to Gizo boat song.

by Rob Kothe on 17 Jun 2001 The last of the new Brisbane to Gizo Race record holder Sorbent Helsal
II's crew, prepare to leave sunny Gizo for cold overcast Melbourne
Australia..

Navigator-song writer Neville Rose and Mid-deck crew-song writer Dani Carey, from Sorbent Helsal II, line honours winners in the 2001
Brisbane to Gizo yacht race spent many watch hours composing during the 1174 mile race.

The song tells the story of the 2001 race in verse. The first
public rendition from the 16 crew was at the Gizo Explorer Hotel on
Monday night at the Skippers dinner.The song has been broadcast on
Solomon Island Broadcasting Commission radio.

The last line of the song expresses well the mood of all the Sorbent Helsal II crew today, as they wish they were staying longer in the Solomon Islands.


During the Brisbane - Gizo Yacht Race
[To the tune of The Eagles' Hotel California]

Before the start day in Brisbane,
Many things to do,
Warm sun of Queensland,
And 16 eager crew.



Up ahead in the distance,
Yachts assembling there,
Our boat was ready and our spirits high,
But little breeze in the air.



There we were at the start line,
Hoping all would go well,
We were thinking to ourselves,
This could be heaven or this could be hell.



Then they fired the start gun,
And we showed them the way,
Then appeared an Aircraft carrier,
Before we left Morton Bay.



Welcome to the Brisbane-Gizo Yacht Race,
Such a healthy pace,
Such a healthy pace,
Such a lovely race.



Plenty of miles in the Brisbane-Gizo Yacht Race,
At this time of year,
At this time of year,
Bring wet weather gear.



Our minds are definitely twisted,
Salt water in our veins,
We've got a lot of pretty pretty crew,
We call names.


How we bathe in the cockpit,
Soap on a rope,
When the rain squall gets here,
Be quick or no hope.



When we call up Race Off…ice,
Please hear us this time,
They said, we haven't heard Helsal's voice,
Since the Brisbane starting line.


And still the winds keep blowing,
From faaaaar away,
Watch continues in the middle of the night,
Hope we get there okay.



Welcome to the Brisbane-Gizo Yacht Race,
Such a healthy pace,
Such a healthy pace,
Such a lovely race.



We're living it up in the Brisbane-Gizo Yacht Race,
What a nice surprise,
What a nice surprise,
The sun starts to rise.



South of Gizo Harbour,
The finish line in sight,
We were, cautious of the reefs both sides,
If only it were light.



In the navigator's station,
We plot-ted our approach,
We're happy that the wind's not strong,
There's no risk that we will broach.



Last thing we remember,
We had, crossed the finish line,
We have to find an anchor spot,
In a place we will be fine.


Relax said Race Office,
We have tender to receive,
You can anchor anywhere you like,
But you may never leave.



Carey-Rose 2001 Gizo Explorer Hotel


To discover more about Sorbent Helsal II click on http://www.helsal.com