Chas from Tas gets a bad break

Legendary professional offshore racing sailor and delivery skipper Chas (from Tas) Blundell is recovering in Macksville Hospital from a complicated broken leg.

A week ago Chas, en route to Sydney delivering Tony Kirby’s Patrice Six back from the Audi Sydney-Southport race, was in Coffs Harbour marina when the skipper of a 65ft cruising boat, having trouble berthing it, called for help.

Chas was trying to climb aboard the high-sided cruiser when the boarding ladder let go. Chas fell back onto the dock and broke the same leg that was badly smashed when Chas was based in the Philippines several years ago.

In a six-hour operation at Coffs Harbour hospital, doctors had to remove the pin in the plate securing Chas’s original leg break before repairing the new break.

He spent his 63 ^rd birthday in Coffs hospital where local Ray Benson and other sailing friends delivered a birthday cake. And he has been fielding get well calls from friends as far away as Dubai.

He has since been transferred to Macksville hospital where he is recovering and was in a cheerful mood when I ‘phoned him.

“It’s just one of those that happen,” he said.

“I am mobile; I will be alright. I am much better off than when I broke the leg in the Philippines (when Chas had to return to Tasmania and spend months recovering.”

“I am positive it will be alright. I will be fully recovered by Christmas.”

Get well Chas.

- Bob Ross