Nominations invited for MHYC Special Awards

Nominations are now invited for three Special Awards for the 2025-2026 Season – the Tig Thomas Distinction Trophy, the Crew Member of the Year Award and the Jules Trophy for the MHYC Yachtswoman of the Year.

To be eligible for the Tig Thomas Trophy, a Senior, Full, Sailing or Youth member must have competed in a State, National or World Championship, Major Regatta or Major Ocean Race within the last year (1st April to 31st March).  Candidates can be nominated either by a Senior, Sailing or Full member, or self-nominate.

The Crew Member of the Year 2025-2026 is presented to an esteemed crew member, displaying the characteristics desirable of a MHYC Member, someone other crew members would aspire to emulate, and nominated from a yacht competing in a MHYC Pointscore Series Program.

The Jules Trophy for MHYC Yachtswoman of the Year will be awarded to a member who sails regularly from MHYC, is enthusiastic and active participant in the sport of sailing and shows good seamanship and sportsmanlike conduct.

All nominations must be submitted no later than 5pm on Wednesday 15th April 2026.  

Awards will be announced at the MHYC Annual Prizegiving on Saturday 2nd May 2026.

To download the Tig Thomas Trophy Nomination Form – click here​

To download the Crew Member of the Year Nomination Form – click here

To download the Jules Trophy Nomination Form – click here

Read more: Nominations invited for MHYC Special Awards

2026 Prizegiving and Awards Night

A wonderful keelboat prizegiving and awards night for season 2025-2026 concluded on Saturday 2nd May with the Tig Thomas Trophy being awarded to Gordon Ketelbey.

The Special Award recipients were:

• R.B. Cooper Perpetual Award for Voluntary Service - Rob Armstrong
• Flag Officers Participants Award - Wailea (Neil Padden)
• MHYC Crew Member of the Year Award – Bill King (Toy Box 2)
• Norman G. Booth Trophy – John Crawford (Innamincka)
• Jules Trophy for MHYC Yachtswoman of the Year - Rhoslyn Humphreys
• Tig Thomas Distinction Trophy – Gordon Ketelbey (Zen)

Cruising Division awards were:

• Yaffe Trophy - Sanna and Niclas Westling (Rara)
• Navigator's Trophy - Richard Freeborn and Alexandra Blakeman-Lively (Hawkeye)

Congratulations to all the trophy winners!

Thankyou to all our volunteers!

Many thanks to Marg Fraser-Martin for the photos.....

Read more: 2026 Prizegiving and Awards Night

Nautilus Marine Insurance 2026 Sydney Harbour Regatta Photos and Video

What a spectacular weekend of racing at the Nautilus Marine Insurance 2026 Sydney Harbour Regatta!

Photo galleries and a video have now been posted to the event website - https://www.shr.mhyc.com.au

Read more: Nautilus Marine Insurance 2026 Sydney Harbour Regatta Photos and Video

SheSails Mentoring & Pathways Evening

Join us at the club for the SheSails Mentoring & Pathways Networking Evening on Friday 29 May from 6:00pm – 9:00pm.

Hear from a panel of guest speakers as they share real experiences, mentoring insights, and the many pathways available within the sport of sailing.

This is a free event, but places are limited so register early to secure your spot.

Register Now

Proudly supported by Sail Our Way, the NSW Office of Sport, and The Magenta Project.

Read more: SheSails Mentoring & Pathways Evening

Exercise Kakadu Fleet Review 2026 on 21 March

To be held on Saturday 21st March between the Sydney Harbour Bridge and South Head, Exercise Kakadu Fleet Review 2026 will see the largest gathering of international warships on Sydney Harbour for more than a decade.

Up to 30 ships from 20 countries are assembling in an impressive display of international sea power.

The International Fleet Review is one phase of Exercise Kakadu which is a major maritime exercise with numerous countries hosted by the Royal Australian Navy every two years.

A Fleet Review is a naval tradition where a Reviewing Officer on board the Reviewing Ship inspects the massed ships of the navy, typically when the Battle Fleet was mobilised for war. Since the 19th century, Fleet Reviews have been held for commemorative events and celebrations, including inviting other national navies to participate by sending vessels.

With the Reviewing Officer embarked, HMAS Leeuwin will proceed past all ships receiving a ceremonial salute during the route. While the majority of ships will be at alongside berths or at anchor, one column of ship will sail through the main channel, passing HMAS Leeuwin as they proceed west toward the Harbour Bridge.

Program schedule:

• 6:00am Division 1 Enters Sydney Harbour
• 7:30am Division 2 Enters Sydney Harbour
• 9:00am Division 3 Enters Sydney Harbour
• 10:30am Division 4 Enters Sydney Harbour
• 2:00pm Review of International Naval Fleet Commences
• 2:20pm Division 5 Enters Sydney Harbour
• 2:45pm Combined Navy & RAAF Aerial display
• 3:45pm Ceremonial Gun Salute
• 4 – 6:00pm Public Boating and Commercial Vessel Sailpast
• 6:45pm Historic Flotilla Procession

Plan Ahead

With a 6-knot speed limit from 6am until 8pm, allow extra time to travel between Sydney Harbour Bridge and South head on Saturday 21st March.

Exclusion zones will be active, between 6am 21st March until 12pm 22nd March, marked by yellow buoys and official patrol vessels.

A no stopping, drifting and anchoring applies between Garden Island and Point Piper and along the viewing route

At all times, vessels must remain 250 metres a naval vessel.

Refer to the event exclusion zone map below for regulated areas and vantage points.

Recommended on-water vantage points

• Athol Bay
• Taylors Bay
• Rose Bay
• Hermit Bay

Download the Exclusion Zone Map and Event Schedule 

Read more: Exercise Kakadu Fleet Review 2026 on 21 March

​​​​​​​Winter Sailing Options

It will be a while before September and the commencement of the 2026-2027 Sailing Season comes along, but MHYC members have a variety of options for sailing during the intervening winter months. 

Saturday Sailing

MHYC Series

Feature Events – Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker Pursuit Races starting at 1230hrs

• 25 April – ANZAC Day Two Up Cup
• 23 May – Autumn Sail
• 20 June – Welcome to Winter
• 18 July – Christmas in July
• NOR - Click Here

Sydney Harbour Sprint Series – Three windward leeward races each day starting at 1200hrs

• 9 May
• 13 June
• 11 July
• SHSS Webpage - Click Here

Leading Edge Pursuit Series - Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker Pursuit Races starting at 1230hrs

• 1 August
• 8 August
• 15 August
• 22 August
• 29 August
• Schedule & SIs - Click Here

Combined Clubs Winter Series

The Combined Clubs Winter Series is open to Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker entries incorporating a Full Series of 12 races and a Short Series of 6 races. None of the CCWS Short Series races conflict with MHYC racing dates. The Series is expected to extend from Saturday 2^nd May to 25^th July with races starting at 12:30pm.  The NOR and SIs are yet to be published but will become available on the SailSys Combined Clubs portal – Click Here

Sunday Sailing

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Winter Series

Comprising 12 races in total, the CYCA Winter Series attracts a large and diverse fleet.  Three of the races form the Women’s Winter Series.  For information – Click Here

Manly Yacht Club Winter Series

The Manly Winter Series consists of six pursuit races scheduled from May to July starting at 12 noon. Spinnaker and non-spinnaker entries are welcomed.  For information – Click Here

Northbridge Sailing Club Winter Series

Northbridge Sailing Club offer a Winter Series of six non-spinnaker pursuit races west of the Spit Bridge scheduled from May to August starting at 12 noon. The Spit Bridge opens at 11:30am and 2:30pm.  For information – Click Here

Races & Regattas

Sydney – Gold Coast Race

Scheduled to start on Saturday 25^th July, the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race kicks off the CYC’s Blue Water Pointscore for 2026-2027.  For information – Click Here

Airlie Beach Race Week

Held from 6-13 August in conjunction with the onshore Whitsundays Festival of Sailing, Airlie Beach Race Week event mixes six days of offshore yacht racing with seven nights of socialising and entertainment at the Whitsunday Sailing Club.  For information – Click Here

Hamilton Island Race Week

Scheduled from 15 - 22 August, Hamilton Island Race Week has earned its reputation as Australia’s largest offshore keelboat regatta, drawing an international fleet and delivering a celebration of sailing and island lifestyle.  For information – Click Here

Magnetic Island Race Week

Racing in the popular SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week will take place from 27 August to 2 September.  A record eight minutes was all it took for the limited entry spots to sell-out in 2026.  For information – Click Here

2025 Winter Sailing at MHYC
Photos by David Staley

Read more: ​​​​​​​Winter Sailing Options

Championships lure players to Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta

The 2026 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, to be held over the weekend of 7 and 8 March is sure to be a memorable one, not only is the annual event turning 21, but it is also hosting three major class championships.

Middle Harbour Yacht Club Commodore, Rob Aldis said, “At this early stage, entries are looking healthy across the board and we’re looking forward to hosting an Australian and two NSW Championships’ in our 21^st year.”

Quick on the draw with their entries for the Sydney 38 NSW Championship were Advanced Philosophy (Peter Sorensen), Gusto (Colin Gunn/Jack Stening), Kaizen (Michael Liang) and Mondo (Lisa Callaghan/Stephen Teudt), all keen to topple the current champion, Conspiracy (David Hudson/Peter Byford).

Callaghan, the Sydney 38 class president, is on a high. Mondo finished runner-up to Conspiracy at the last NSW Championship and placed second in Division 4 and won the Sydney 38 Division in the 2025 Sydney Hobart.

In their efforts to beat Conspiracy and an improving fleet, Callaghan said, “We’ve decided to take our offshore crew - a winning combination - and bring them inshore. It’s going to be very hard to knock off Conspiracy.

“Stephen, who puts so much effort into preparing the boat, helmed at the last Championship. I’m helming this time. This year I’m hungrier than ever, not only to dominate offshore, but inshore as well. This time (at the SHR) we have some offshore races in the mix - and that’s my speciality. I’m training five times a week,” the determined yachtswoman said.

“Both Conspiracy and Advanced Philosophy will be hard to beat. Having said that, we’ve seen newer owners to the class coming up in the fleet, so I think this will be one of the closest states we had in recent times.

Callaghan finished, “I’m working hard, as Class President, to see at least 12 yachts compete this year. I’m really proud to see that while other classes are in decline, our class is actually in resurgence,”

The SHR is also hosting the Fareast 28R Australian Championship. Beckoning others to enter are Wildling 3 (Conrad Johnston), Aetos III (Christian Charalambous) and Cool Runnings (Paul Bradley/Kevin Bloor). The trio is eager to take on all-comers for the title.

In the 2024 and 2025 Championships at the SHR, Wildling 3 finished third and second respectively. Johnston is focussed on taking a step up to the podium’s top spot in 2026.

“We seem to go up and down in second and third, but we haven’t made it a win yet. “I hope we might finally get the win this year,” Johnston said.

Johnston is in the throes of “trying to rustle up as many competitors as I can,” he said. “There are people coming up from Melbourne on The Menace – and that’s great – so the fleet is strong in terms of the interest,” he says of the Championship that will be sailed in conjunction with the Super 30s Cup.

Johnston is a big fan of the SHR: “It’s great, the regatta, because we have the windward/leewards – short and sharp They (race officials) always put us in the right spot and set great courses. It’s very professionally run.”

The Cavalier 28 NSW Championship early birds are Craig Mitchell’s Centaurus, Peter Donnelly’s Flying Circus and Greg Purcell’s Scuttlebutt.

Centaurus won the 2025 Championship on scratch, with Scuttlebutt third. U2 (Andrew McPherson) took out the main event under the class PHS handicap system from Centaurus.

“Hopefully there’ll be six to eight of us at the regatta. At the moment, Soshana (Jonathan Rosenberg) and Scuttlebutt are the ones to beat, but some of the boats bring in better crews for the Championship, so that can change things…,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell has fond memories of the event: “We’ve loved the Sydney Harbour Regatta in the past. We haven’t been for a little while now for our Championship, but we’re back and looking forward to it. It’s a nice time of year – not too windy and not too light.”

Competitors in the Performance Class divisions have a field day, as they boast far more entries than any other division. One of those that come back for more on a regular basis is She’s the Culprit from Newcastle.

Owned by the Culprit syndicate, Glen ‘Cyril’ Picasso and his fellow owners recently updated to a DK43 and made their debut at the 80^th Sydney Hobart. They will arrive in force: “There’ll probably be five or six that did the Hobart with us, along with some of the other regular crew. I try to run a happy boat – we like to win – but the focus is that we are still friends when we get off the boat.” 

The Novocastrians head south frequently and Cyril says, “We normally do the Sydney Harbour Regatta, it’s a good social weekend for us.”

Cyril says, “We like sailing against boats from all different areas and love sailing on flat water  - different to offshore at Newcastle. It’s a good a social atmosphere around the Club (MHYC) after racing. On the Sunday, I get up early and run to Manly and back, which I love doing. I sneak away and leave the partying to the rest of the crew!”

To celebrate the Regatta turning 21, major sponsor Yachting Holidays, Australian booking agent for Sunsail, is offering one lucky division winner at the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta a luxury bareboat charter in the Greek Islands or Croatia and is providing Zhik apparel for the crew prizes.

Supporting sponsors are Zhik and Kieser. Zhik is donating prize vouchers for each of the divisional placegetters and apparel for the Female Helm prize, while Kieser is contributing to one of the Grand Prizes – all will be revealed shortly!

Entries close at 23.59 hours on Tuesday 3 March 2026. After ‘Close of Entries’, additional entries shall be made in writing and may only be accepted at the discretion of the Organising Authority, so enter now.

To enter and for Notice of Race, please visit: www.shr.mhyc.com.au

Di Pearson/MHYC media

Read more: Championships lure players to Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta

Annual Prizegiving and Awards Night

Middle Harbour Yacht Club's Annual Keelboat Prizegiving and Awards Night will be held on Saturday 2nd May from 6.30pm.

Trophies will be awarded and achievements recognised for Inshore and Offshore competition, the Twilight Series and Cruising Division. The hard work of officials, volunteers, committee members and staff are also recognised along with the wonderful support of the club's sponsors.

The ticket price of $35 per person includes a complimentary welcome drink and canapes.  Prizegiving will commence at 7pm sharp.

Book Here

2025 Prizegiving Photos by Marg Fraser-Martin

Read more: Annual Prizegiving and Awards Night

MHYC Womens Sailing Forum on 25 February

Middle Harbour Yacht Club has an active group of women sailors who participate in every aspect of the sport and club. We also aim to provide additional opportunities for women to expand their sailing skills and experience through our club program.

MHYC Womens Sailing Forum on 25 February

A Womens Sailing Forum will be held on Wednesday 25 February commencing at 6pm in the Harbour View Room.

Come along to hear from:

• Erica Kirby - National Judge and Umpire – Officiating and the Rules
• Belinda Parks – Bow on Mondo, winner of the Rolex Sydney Hobart 2025 Sydney 38 Division
• Catherine Thornton-Rofe – J/24 Owner / Skipper and Manly Yacht Club Vice-Commodore
• Bridin Murnion - Adams 10 Owner

There will be plenty of opportunity for questions and presentations will be followed by an open forum, then stay on for a catch-up with the other participants. Nibbles will be provided.

If you plan to come along, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Read more: MHYC Womens Sailing Forum on 25 February