Back and Racing on Saturdays
Saturday racing at MHYC finally got underway today with two Inshore Sprints races in a moderate to fresh southerly.
The course for the first race of the day was from near the Grotto Point Mark to the Sow & Pigs Reef with all divisions sailing two laps of the windward-leeward course. On PHS, Infotrack (Christian Beck) took the Division 1 win, Stormaway (Jack Stening & Colin Gunn) were on top in in Div 2 and Escape (Dean Dransfield) won Div 3. MRX (Geoff Pearson) took the ORC win for Div 2 and Innamincka (John Crawford) for Div 3. Stormaway was best on IRC for Div 2 and Innamincka the best J/24 on OD. In the Adams 10 One-Design, Rock Solid (Mitch Miller & Andrew Gunton) was first home ahead of Contentious (Brian Lees) and Sirius (Garth Riley). Contentious took the PHS win.
The breeze had moved left and freshened a little, so the top marks were moved close to South Head for Race 2. Division 3 sailed two laps while the rest sailed three. Infotrack again took the Division 1 PHS win, Galan (Mike Gallagher) was top PHS in in Div 2 and Escape took out Div 3 once again. Wailea (Neil Padden) claimed the ORC win for Div 2 and Innamincka again in Div 3. Stormaway was best on IRC for Div 2 and Waterborne Again ((Marc Tromp) the first J/24 home on OD. In the Adams 10s, it was Contentious from Rock Solid and Sirius on One-Design, with Sirius taking the PHS honours.
Everyone enjoyed getting back on the water and the lively conditions that Saturday provided. A big thankyou to Race Officer Toby Gursanscky and the race management volunteers for two good races.
To view the Divisional Results – click here
To view the Adams 10 Results – click here
Many thanks to Marg Fraser-Martin who was afloat to capture the action on the club’s first day of Saturday racing for the 2021-2022 season.
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CovidSafe Sailing is Underway!
MHYC’s racing program finally got underway. We are all looking forward to getting back on the water and catching up with our sailing friends again, but need to remember:
- For the time being, any persons over the age of 16 years participating in Community Sport and / or entering indoor facilities at MHYC are required by NSW Public Health Orders to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. All staff and volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated. MHYC may request evidence of vaccination from members or visitors.
- Each yacht is required to register all members of it’s crew participating in any MHYC race. Registration opens on the Monday prior to each event and refreshes every Monday, so it is not possible to register for races for subsequent weeks. Failure to register a crew list before the yachts start time will result in a DSQ score. Go to Crew Registration
- Until further notice, please observe social distancing limits of 2m2 outdoors and 4m2 indoors. Masks are required indoors when not eating or drinking.
- All people attending MHYC are required to sign in using the QR Code displayed at a number of prominent locations.
- While the SandBar Café will open from Tuesday October 26, the expanded deck will not be available until early November.
All of the races that were scheduled between 4 September and 25 October 2021 are abandoned, with the exception of two Adams 10 Inshore Races re-scheduled to 30 October 2021 – see NTC 2021-10-06-1
Online Entry for all Race Series has now opened with race fees adjusted including an allowance for the reduction of race numbers. To enter, go to Online Entry
Attention Wednesday Sailors!
Please remember you are required to check in using the QR Code and must be fully vaccinated to enter the club buildings or participate in club racing. All crew are required to be a current Full, Crew, Intermediate or Youth member of MHYC, a current sailing member of a club affiliated to Australian Sailing, or have a valid SailPass for the day. It is best to purchase a Sail Pass in advance – click here. The prize-giving will be held in the Harbour View room after racing until the SandBar Deck is open.
Attention Thursday Sailors!
Please arrive early as we will be checking vaccination and membership status. Remember you are required to check in using the QR Code and must be fully vaccinated to enter the club buildings or participate in club racing. All crew are required to be a current Full, Crew, Intermediate, Club General or Youth member of MHYC, a current sailing member of a club affiliated to Australian Sailing, or have a valid SailPass for the day. It is best to purchase a Sail Pass in advance – click here. The prize-giving will be held in the Harbour View room until the SandBar Deck is open. Hot food will be available from the SandBar after sailing.
Women’s Keelboat Series to start on October 31
The Notice of Race for the 2021-2022 Sydney Harbour Women’s Keelboat Series has now been published.
The first of five races in the new series will be conducted by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia on Sunday 31 October. If NSW Public Health Orders prevent this, a four race series will commence on Sunday 21 November with Middle Harbour Yacht Club as the host.
The inaugural series last year attracted 20 entries from 5 clubs. MHYC's Tracy Richardson (No Friends) and Liz Charles (Kayimai) finished 2nd and 3rd in Division 1.
Crews will again be able to compete in full female crew or female helm divisions, as well as nominate spinnaker or non-spinnaker racing. The first warning signal is scheduled for 12.30 each race day. Other clubs which will also conduct a race of the series are Manly Yacht Club, Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club and Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.
To download the Notice of Race – click here
To enter online – click here
MHYC Centreboard Racing Program 2021-2022
The 2021-2022 program of centreboard racing at Middle Harbour Yacht Club has been announced with release of the MHYC Centreboard Handbook which includes the Season Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions.
The Club Championship Series runs from October 31 and concludes on March 20 with 21 races scheduled. A 12 race Summer Series runs from November to January. In addition, a 21 race Winter Series will extend from May to August next year. Entries are invited for 29er, 420, Optimist and Pacer classes, with other classes added by prior arrangement.
To enter any of the MHYC Centreboard Series, competitors must first complete a boat registration form before submitting their entry. All processes are online via ClubOps / SailorApp.
To download the new MHYC Centreboard Handbook, register your boat and enter one or more series – click here
A light on the horizon - SSORC 2021
Sydney sailors are anxiously awaiting news of Sydney’s lockdown coming to an end. After an enforced four-month hiatus from yacht racing, there is now a light on the horizon.
Middle Harbour Yacht Club has announced the first major keelboat regatta for the season - the Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC) on 27 and 28 November.
This will be the 44th running of the event which each year attracts Sydney’s best IRC racing yachts. Results are calculated on IRC, ORC and PHS handicaps, with the addition of TPR for the TP52 fleet.
In 2021, the Sydney 38 Class are looking to kick their season off with a strong fleet at SSORC.
David Hudson and Peter Byford’s Conspiracy from RPAYC is the 2020 Australian Champion and won the Sydney 38 division of Sydney Harbour Regatta last year. Chris Heraghty’s Risk, Lisa Callaghan’s Mondo, Mike Logan’s Thirlmere, Phil Herscovics’ Shine On and Peter Sorensen’s Advanced Philosophy are among the crews that would like to end Conspiracy’s dominance.
Unable to compete last year, MHYC’s Bob Cox is looking forward to the Division 1 IRC racing with his DK46 Nine Dragons.
“We have a tremendous group of people that contest the SSORC and Sydney Harbour Regatta each year,” said Cox.
“Soozal and Bushranger from Pittwater are quick and really challenge the Harbour boats like Nine Dragons, Khaleesi and Victoire. Great racing offshore and getting together back at the club makes for very enjoyable regatta,” he said.
In 2020, Kieran Mulcahy’s Soozal took the regatta win from Bushranger (Gerry Hatton), with the other MHYC DK46 Khaleesi (Rob Aldis & Sandy Farquharson) finishing third. In 2019, Darryl Hodgkinson’s Carkeek 40 Victoire was fighting it out with Bushranger and Nine Dragons, with Bushranger coming out on top.
IRC Division 2 also provides some keen competition, with Jack Stening and Colin Gunn’s Sydney 36 Stormaway always on the podium. In 2020, Stormaway won the division ahead of Mark Hellyer’s Italia 11.98 Cicero from RPAYC and Michael Rowe’s Corum, the Mumm 36 from Manly.
The TP52s are also looking to get their crews back into competitive form after an inactive winter and spring. Gordon Ketelbey’s Zen took the win at last year’s SSORC from Andy Kearnan’s Koa and Sebastian Bohm’s Smuggler. For these crews in particular, it is a perfect start to preparations for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
The SSORC is held in conjunction with a Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Ocean Pointscore race on the Saturday – either to Lion Island or Cape Baily. CYCA support race management for the event with the coastal passage race followed by three windward-leeward races offshore on the Sunday. Principal Race Officer for the event is Denis Thompson.
On the Saturday of the SSORC, the popular Seven Islands Race is also held for mixed keelboats with a novel course around the harbour islands east and west of the Harbour Bridge.
The Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship Notice of Race is now published and online entry will soon open.
For all information, including the Notice of Race and Online Entry, visit www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au
ORC Information Session on October 20
Chris Zonca, Australian Sailing Ratings Manager, will provide a online presentation about ORC and ORC Club to MHYC keelboat owners on Wednesday 20 October at 6pm.
In Australia, ORC certificates are issued with either 'International (ORCi)' measurements taken by an official measurer or 'self-declared (ORCc)' measurements, the latter being labelled as a 'Club Certificate'. Racing with a self-declared Club Certificate is relatively inexpensive and a simple option to begin racing under a ratings format.
An ORC rating can help a boat and its crew understand the potential of a boat's performance, including providing information on target speeds across a range of wind speeds and angles, as well as providing an excellent platform for racing a variety of designs together fairly. From 2021, a boat can now be issued an ORC Certificate in three different configurations - with spinnaker, non-spinnaker and two-handed.
For the 2021-2022 sailing season, MHYC has introduced an ORC Club pointscore for the Saturday divisional racing (Inshore Series & Ocean Series) in addition to the existing IRC and PHS handicap categories.
All are invited to join the videoconference find out more about ORC ratings and have your questions answered.
To join the Zoom Videoconference on Wednesday 20 October at 6pm - CLICK HERE
eSailing Teams Racing at MHYC
Last week MHYC conducted is first Team Racing eSailing event with a round robin series of short races with two teams of three sailors in the Star Keelboat. Rob Armstrong, David West and Brendan Smid made up the yellow team and Graham Brown, Adam Mowser and Pete Wilson made up the Blue Team. The Blue Team were the stronger of the two, earning a solid win of four out of the five races. However the results do not reflect the competitiveness of the races with boats hunting down each other to gain control. With strategy and team work communicated via an open zoom session it made for exciting viewing.
The September Series also started last week with seven boats competing on Wednesday and Thursday.
On Wednesday evening boats competed in the Barcolana 50. Rob Armstrong had a sensational start to the series winning 3 of the 5 races over the line for a score of 5 closely followed by Adam Mowser on 6 points and Graham Brown on 12. A PHS result has been introduced for the September Series, resulting in a very close series score with Rob Armstrong on 8.5 points, followed by Pete Wilson in second on count back and Graham Brown in third both on 11 points.
Racing continued on Thursday with a solid fleet of ten boats in the Barcolana 50. Adam Mowser proved too strong on the night winning 3 out of the 5 races over the line for a score of 5 points ahead of Jervis Tilly on 8 points, closely followed by David West on 10 points. In the PHS series scores were tight with Rob Armstrong on 13 closely followed by Neil Padden on 14 and Graham Brown on 14.5.
For full results and registartion information click here.
Racing continues this week.
Next Get Checked Day Saturday 23rd October
MHYC holds two annual Get Checked Days for Equipment Audits, which allows Club Members the perfect opportunity to have their boats audited prior to the new sailing season commencing free of charge. For PFD checks contact Matt Pyne at the Marina Office or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The last Get Checked Day for the 2021-2022 season is Saturday 23rd October 2021.
Bookings for an equipment audit are to be arranged directly through the MHYC Sailing Office or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Presentation of a Boat for Inspection process
• Boat owners are to complete an Equipment Compliance form prior to the inspection. Audit form can be downloaded here
• The owner or his representative should carry out an initial inspection and tick/sign the appropriate box - making sure to check expiry dates and quality of equipment, as well as identifying the location of equipment that may be asked to be presented during the inspection.
• Necessary equipment should be laid out ready for inspection, including copies of service certificates and any additional safety documentation; ie stowage plans, Epirb registration, Life Raft Service Certificates, PFD Service Certificates. (Cat 1 and 2 inspections - owners should have a copy of these certificates on hand to submit to the auditor as a part of the inspection paperwork.)
• The skipper and knowledgeable crew member should be on board during the inspection.
• The owner's Australian Sailing number and vessel registration details and insurance document shall be made available to the Auditor or the Equipment Compliance form cannot be completed.
Equipment Layout for Inspection
All items required for safety inspection should be laid out prior to the Auditor coming on board. Prior preparation will significantly reduce the time taken to complete the inspection.
• Storm boards ready to be put in place.
• Sea cocks and plugs exposed, not hidden by equipment.
• Know the water and fuel capacity of your tanks
• Fire extinguishers taken from brackets so date tags can be sighted.
• First Aid kits open and items with use by dates on the top so that expiry date can be checked.
• Publications and charts on chart table.
• Emergency navigation lights with batteries fitted.
• PFD's, harnesses, tethers and flares laid out.
• Radio installation inspection certificate.
• Life Raft Certificate
• Jackstays rigged.
• Lifelines tightened.
Inspirational Women in Sailing - Virtual Breakfast with MHYC
From conquering the southern ocean to competing at the top levels of elite sailing and everything in between, these four women are blazing trails and setting new records in the world of sailing.
Join us for the MHYC Steering the Course Women's Sailing Festival Virtual Breakfast to hear from Nina Curtis, Lisa Blair, Alice Tarnawski and Bryony Gregory.
Nina Curtis: Olympic silver medallist Nina Curtis has previously competed in the Ocean Race (previously called the Volvo Ocean Race) and is currently representing Australia in SailGP.
Lisa Blair: With three world records already under her belt, Lisa Blair is preparing to set off again in December with the aim to set the solo and unassisted record to sail around Antarctica.
Alice Tarnawski & Bryony Gregory: Alice and Bryony are the first-ever all-female double-handed entry in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Hear how the pair are planning to tackle the notoriously challenging race with the added difficulty of trying to prepare during COVID lockdowns.
Date: Friday 8 October
Time: 8:00 - 9:15am
Cost: Free, all welcome
Registration: For more information and to register for this event click here
Nina's session will be pre-recorded as she will be in Spain competing in SailGP at the time of the event, but if you have any questions for Nina, send these to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Friday 24 September and we'll aim to get these answered in the pre-recorded session.
Read more: Inspirational Women in Sailing - Virtual Breakfast with MHYC
Sailing to resume at MHYC on 27 October
In anticipation of NSW Public Health Orders being relaxed and Community Sport permitted from 25 October 2021, MHYC intends to resume racing in all series from Wednesday 27 October. While we are all looking forward to getting back on the water and catching up with our sailing friends again, please note that:
- Until further notice (expected to be December 1), any persons over the age of 16 years entering indoor facilities at MHYC are required by NSW Public Health Orders to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. All staff and volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated. MHYC may request evidence of vaccination from members or visitors.
- Each yacht is required to register all members of it’s crew participanting in any MHYC race. Registration opens on the Monday prior to each event and refreshes every Monday, so it is not possible to register for races for subsequent weeks. Failure to register a crew list before the yachts start time will result in a DSQ score. Go to Crew Registration
- Until further notice, please observe social distancing limits tof 2m2 outdoors and 4m2 indoors. Masks are required indoors when not eating or drinking.
- All people attending MHYC are required by NSW Public Health Orders to sign in using the QR Code displayed at a number of prominent locations.
All of the races that were scheduled between 4 September and 25 October 2021 are abandoned, with the exception of two Adams 10 Inshore Races re-scheduled to 30 October 2021 – see NTC 2021-10-06-1
Online Entry for all Race Series has now opened with race fees adjusted including an allowance for the reduction of race numbers. To enter, go to Online Entry
Inspirational Women in Sailing - View the Interviews
From conquering the southern ocean to competing at the top levels of elite sailing and everything in between, these four women are blazing trails and setting new records in the world of sailing.
The MHYC Steering the Course Women's Sailing Festival Virtual Breakfast was held on Friday 8 October and heard from Nina Curtis, Lisa Blair, Alice Tarnawski and Bryony Gregory.
Nina Curtis: Olympic silver medallist Nina Curtis has previously competed in the Ocean Race (previously called the Volvo Ocean Race) and is currently representing Australia in SailGP.
Lisa Blair: With three world records already under her belt, Lisa Blair is preparing to set off again in December with the aim to set the solo and unassisted record to sail around Antarctica.
Alice Tarnawski & Bryony Gregory: Alice and Bryony are the first-ever all-female double-handed entry in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The pair are planning to tackle the notoriously challenging race with the added difficulty of trying to prepare during COVID lockdowns.
If you weren't able to attend the virtual breakfast or would like to watch the interviews again, you can view the recordings here.
A huge thankyou to MHYC Women's Sailing Representative Deborah Dalziel for organising and hosting this great event.
Read more: Inspirational Women in Sailing - View the Interviews