Gary's ashes are being scattered from 'Wild Oats' starting today, during this week's Sydney to Hobart,
Courier-Mail article
THEY have been rushing round all week preparing their boats and crews for the rigours of a tough Sydney to Hobart but sailors have stopped in their tracks to pay an emotional tribute to one of their own.
Skippers, navigators, crews and officials all undertook a minutes silence at the compulsory race briefing at the home of the race south, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, for helicopter pilot Gary Ticehurst ysterday.
Described as the "Guardian Angel'' of the Sydney to Hobart fleet, Ticehurst died this year in a horrifc crash involving ABC colleagues Paul Lockyer and John Bean in the outback.
The popular pilot, who knew the majority of sailors heading south this year, will have his ashes scattered during the race off the Sydney to Hobart favourite Wild Oats.
Ticehurst played a vital role in the deadly 1998 race, helping with the rescue of numerous sailors and was a well know sight flying over the fleet for two decade.
"He was so loved by everyone. It is quite overwhelming,'' said Ticehurst's wife Therese.
The high-tech supermaxis Wild Oats and Loyal remain on track to vie for the line honours in the 67th Rolex Sydney to Hobart which starts Boxing Day it is boats half their size who could steal their thunder in the chase for the coverted overall win.