Latest News - MHYC | Middle Harbour Yacht Club

Celebrating our Sailors - Part 1

As the Annual Presentation Night to celebrate MHYC’s 2019-2020 season was not possible due to Covid-19, we are announcing the award winners online over the next 5 weeks.

In our first instalment, we celebrate:

Mitch White – Recipient of the Tig Thomas Memorial Trophy
Galan (Mike Gallagher) – Feature Events and Inshore Division 1
Exile (Tony Reynolds) – January Cup
Flo (Martyn Colebrook & Anna Alvsdotter) – Yaffe Cruising Trophy
Buggalugs (Jeremy Clarke Kristin Kool) – Cruising Division Drogue Trophy

Mitch White – Tig Thomas Memorial Trophy

This award was donated by Tig’s family & friends, dedicated to recognizing annually MHYC members who have competed in interclub events and major championships. Points are awarded for both participation and placings in State, National and International events.

For 2019-2020 the award was awarded to long term MHYC member Mitch White. Mitch was an integral member of the Wizard Sailing Team resulted in Wizard being crowned World Sailing Team of the Year in 2019 for:

Caribbean 600 overall win
Trans Atlantic – winners in IRC1 and overall winners
Rolex Fastnet race - 1st in IRC Z and overall winners

In addition, Mitch achieved the following in his racing:

2019 Sydney to Hobart on Infotrack - 2nd line honours and 3rd in IRC Div 0
2020 Sydney 38 on Conspiracy - Australia Champion
2020 Middle Harbour Regatta on Little Nico - Super 12 overall win

Mitch started sailing at MHYC at an early age and many of us can remember him as one of our tender boat drivers in his teens. He started serious offshore racing as bowman at age 17 on the MHYC boat Morning Mist, travelling North for the major races in Queensland. Over the years he has become a very active member and supporter of MHYC and MHYC boats.

It is with great pleasure that we see Mitch win this award, as he recently bought Tig’s famous boat Plum Crazy from his father, Steve. Mitch has spent a lot of time completely reinvigorating her to her beautiful past glory. She is once again proudly moored at MHYC and there is nothing more Mitch loves doing than taking his young family out for a spin on the harbour.

Galan (Mike Gallagher)

Galan is a Jeanneau 409 which has been campaigned by Mike, Hillary and Samantha Gallagher over several years, participating in regular Saturday Inshore racing and Thursday Twilights. Galan had a spectacularly successful season, winning the Heaven Can Wait Trophy for PHS Division 1 and claiming trophies in four Feature races – Sydney Harbour Trek Division 1, Seven Islands Division 3, January Cup Division 2 and the Cock of the Club Team Challenge for the Chao Cup.

Exile (Tony Reynolds)

The Farr 40 Exile is active in One-Design Class Series, Wednesday Non-Spinnaker racing and MHYC Feature Events. Sailed by Rob and Tony Reynolds and an enthusiastic crew throughout the year, Tony was at the helm to claim the January Cup.

Flo (Martyn Colebrook & Anna Alvsdotter)

The Yaffe Cruising Trophy was donated by the late Sid Yaffe and is presented to a Member of the Cruising Division each year for a meritorious long ocean passage. The 2019 recipient was Martyn Colebrook & Anna Alvsdotter’s Catamaran Flo, following their four month long cruise to North Queensland and return in 2019.

Buggalugs (Jeremy Clarke Kristin Kool)

The Jeanneau 36.2 Buggalugs, sailed by Jeremy Clarke and Kristin Kool, was awarded the Cruising Division Drogue Trophy for season 2019-2020. This is a trophy presented to a Member who has demonstrated being in too much of a hurry and getting to the planned destination “too” quickly. Buggalugs cruised quickly to Jervis Bay, Pittwater and a number of other locations during the year.

Congratulations to all the MHYC 2019-2020 Trophy Winners!

Annual Skippers Briefing Tonight 17 Sept at 7pm on ZOOM

The Annual Skipper’s Briefing will be held via Zoom Teleconference this year on Thursday evening 17 September at 7pm.

It is mandatory for at least one representative from each boat to attend, but being held via teleconference enables mutliple people to take part.

This important session will include an online briefing from NSW Roads & Maritime Services, cover on-water emergency procedures and changes to the racing program for the coming season. It is a must-attend event for the skippers (or a representative) of all MHYC yachts.

Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone the Sailing Office (9969 1244 Tues-Sat) to confirm your intention to attend or if you have any questions.

MHYC invites you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: MHYC Skippers Briefing
Time: Sep 17, 2020 07:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82658668764?pwd=QjZ3eS9SbW1QblVub2hjYXZhMmxKUT09

Meeting ID: 826 5866 8764
Passcode: 193844
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Meeting ID: 826 5866 8764
Passcode: 193844
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcmMBJ9snb

Inaugural Sydney Harbour Women’s Keelboat Series

MHYC is proud to be a part of the inaugural 2020-21 Sydney Harbour Women’s Keelboat Series bringing together female sailors from across Sydney Harbour. Four races will be run by Manly Yacht Club, Middle Harbour Yacht Club and the CYCA. Crews will be able to compete in full female crew or female helm divisions as well as nominate spinnaker or non-spinnaker racing.

Event dates:

Sunday, 25 October 2020 (MYC Helly Hansen Women’s Challenge)
Sunday, 15 November 2020 (MHYC)
Sunday, 28 February 2021 (CYCA)
Sunday, 28 March 2021 (MYC Helly Hansen Women’s Challenge)

For more information and online entry click here.

Saturday Inshore Racing at MHYC

The MHYC Inshore Series kicked off on Saturday in a pleasant north-easterly that continued to freshen during the race. The fleet headed off from Hunters Bay, Balmoral for a course sailing between North Harbour and Chowder Bay, with a finish in Spring Cove.

Toy Box 2 (Ian Box) and Stormaway (Jack Stening & Coplin Gunn) took the IRC Division 1 and 2 wins, with Toy Box 2 also claiming the PHS prize. In Division 2 PHS, it was Forty Two (John McGrory) first on corrected time and Ace (David West) claiming the Division 3 PHS win and first J/24 One-Design. Rock Solid (Mitch Miller) claimed the One-Design and PHS win in the Adams 10s.

For the IRC Results – click here

For the PHS Results – click here

For the Adams 10 Results – click here

Marg Fraser-Martin was on the water again to capture some of the inshore action…….

COVIDSafe Sailing Update - 26 August 2020

In response to increased cases of COVID-19 in NSW, Dr Kerry Chant (Chief Health Officer - NSW) has advised of further public health measures to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission related to participation in community sports. These updated recommendations will help clubs  to meet the NSW Government’s aim of achieving no community transmission in NSW and will support community sports to continue operating safely.

In summary, the recommendations are that all crew on boats sailing from MHYC should be residents of Zone A as defined in the attached diagram. Boats can sail against other boats from other clubs, provided they sail from Zone A and return without getting off the boat. No overnight sleeping on boats that are racing is permitted. These recommendations will be reviewed by NSW Health at the end of September.

To view the letter from Commodore Peter Lewis and information from Australian Sailing - click here

To view the Notice to Competitors – click here

Flags and Signal Training on Zoom - Thursday 10th Sept

MHYC will be hosting a training session on Flags and Signals this Thursday 10th Sept at 6.30pm via ZOOM.

Perfect for those new to sailing or wanting to hone their race start skills. An essential presentation for Race Management volunteers.

Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. of your intention to attend. Zoom details below

MHYC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Race Management Flags & Signals

Time: Sep 10, 2020 06:30 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88915789752?pwd=Zzg4TVpITjFjbjR5VXIwTVY3Q1RCZz09

Meeting ID: 889 1578 9752

Passcode: 002917

One tap mobile

+61861193900,,88915789752#,,,,,,0#,,002917# Australia

+61871501149,,88915789752#,,,,,,0#,,002917# Australia

Dial by your location

+61 861 193 900 Australia

+61 8 7150 1149 Australia

+61 2 8015 6011 Australia

+61 3 7018 2005 Australia

+61 731 853 730 Australia

Meeting ID: 889 1578 9752

Passcode: 002917

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcgD1dQG8j

To download a copy of the powerpoint presentation - click here

Lively Saturday Afternoon Racing

It was a lively afternoon on The Sound and North Harbour today for the penultimate race of both the Leading Edge Pursuit and Adams 10 Winter Fleet Series. Despite the sunny skies, it was very cool and the 20kt westerly built to 25kts with gusts above 30kts at times keeping all the crews on their toes.

In the Adams 10’s Garth Riley’s Sirius beat Contentious (Brian Lees) across the line by 20 seconds to claim the One-Design win, but Contentious took the PHS honours.

Neil Padden’s Wailea was first home in Division 1 of the Leading Edge Pursuit from Onya (Andrew Hurt) and Tempo (Michael Smith).

In Division 2, Neil Hardiman’s Ruffian posted a solid win over TenSixty (Ian Green) and Rumba (Rob Carr / Stephanie Cook / Kerry Burke).

For the latest Adams 10 Results – click here

For the latest Leading Edge Results – click here

Many thanks to Marg Fraser-Martin for the photos from today’s racing………

New Season Underway with Front Up! Cup

Middle Harbour Yacht Club kicked off its 2020-2021 Sailing Program today with the Commodore’s Front Up! Cup Feature Race.

Twenty nine crews, sailing a diverse group of boats ranging from 24 to 46 feet, enjoyed a spectacular sunny day with a moderate south westerly which backed to south east as the afternoon progressed. The fleet moved quickly around the course which took in Manly, Clarke Island and Taylors Bay.

The first Division 1 boat home was David Ross and Oliver Scott-Mackie sailing the Cookson 12 Kukukerchu two-handed. Next was Tempo (Michael Smith) with Exile (Tony Reynolds) third. Chris Lee’s Beneteau 40.7 Farr ’N Away took the Division 2 honours today, from Perception (Charles Caskey) and Innamincka (John Crawford).

For the full Commodore’s Front Up! Cup Results – click here

The next MHYC Feature Race is the Harbour Trek on October 10.

Thanks to Marg Fraser-Martin for some great photos from today's sailing..........

Annual Skippers Briefing on September 17

The Annual Skipper’s Briefing will be held via Zoom Teleconference this year on Thursday evening 17 September at 7pm.

It is mandatory for at least one representative from each boat to attend, but being held via teleconference enables mutliple people to take part.

MHYC invites you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: MHYC Skippers Briefing
Time: Sep 17, 2020 07:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82658668764?pwd=QjZ3eS9SbW1QblVub2hjYXZhMmxKUT09

Meeting ID: 826 5866 8764
Passcode: 193844
One tap mobile
+61370182005,,82658668764#,,,,,,0#,,193844# Australia
+61731853730,,82658668764#,,,,,,0#,,193844# Australia

Wednesday Spring Sailing at MHYC

*Mondo* enjoying a lovely Wednesday breeze (Lisa Callaghan photo)

Wednesday Sailing Report by Julie Hodder

2^nd September 2020

On the first day of spring, most crew could not decide what to wear. Half the crew came dressed for summer in shorts and T-shirts, the other half came dressed for winter sailing. Both were correct at some stage. With a beautiful NE Breeze between 10-15kt, the run down the harbour from Manly to Clarke Island was definitely summer weather. But when you turned around the Island for the work back towards Manly, the colder winter winds won out with many having to put on another layer.

The Wednesday sailing mob is just one big happy family. Today there was a lot of musical chairs for some of our regular crew and skippers – of course all complying with the current COVID rules.

Ian Box’s boat (Toy Box 2), was out of action as it is being antifouled, so he and some of his crew joined us on Nine Dragons. Adrian Walter’s boat (Little Nico) is also getting some work done, so Peter Ryan also joined us on Nine Dragons, whilst the rest of his crew, including Adrian, Mitch White and Andrew Phillips sailed on Khaleesi.

Skipper Rob Reynolds (Exile) had too many crew for the current regulations, so he jumped ship and sailed the MC38 Lazy Dog and let his crew race on Exile.

Gunther Schmidt-Lindner’s boat (Austmark) is having a major refit, but that does not stop most of his sailing team going sailing on Jim Thomas’s Botany Access Cocomo. Jim is also a regular crew on Austmark for Wednesdays, so it is great he and fellow boat owner Keith Le Compte (White Pointer), also a regular for Wednesdays, cannot miss our Wednesday racing. Rumour has it when Austmark gets back on the water, Cocomo will also be out.

This year we are endeavouring to recreate a Division 3 for Wednesdays. For the couple of smaller boats that have been supporting us for many years, this week’s 2^nd longest course was a little too long. We are seeking more smaller boats and cruising style boats to come and enjoy harbour racing on Wednesdays. Contact the club if you are interested.

To see the Pacific Rigging Wednesday Non-Spinnaker Results - click here

MHYC is just a nice place to be after sailing (Phil Clinton photo)

Online Entry Open for 2020-2021

Online Entry is now open for the 2020-2021 Racing Program. To enter any of the MHYC Series – click here

MHYC’s 2020-2021 Sailing Program has been released to provide advance notice to members prior to publication of the MHYC Sailing Handbook 2020-2021 which should be available in early September. Since the program was finalised however, there have been a number of changes and these have been published in Notice to Competitors 2020-08-19-2.

The Overall Season Schedule can be downloaded as a simple PDF list of events in date order (4 pages) or as an Excel spreadsheet that can be filtered to display selected events or series. Schedules and Sailing Instructions for each of the MHYC Series can also be downloaded as PDFs – click here

The most significant change from the 2019-2020 program is that eight races of the Inshore and Adams 10 Pointscore will be conducted in conjunction with the Combine Clubs Inshore Series. This series, organised jointly by Manly Yacht Club (MYC), Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC), Royal Australian Naval Sailing Association (RANSA), Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club (RPEYC) and Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (RSYS), provides an interclub competition over six race days between September and March. Two of the race days will feature two short passage races, while the remaining 4 days will have a single, longer passage race. The starting and finishing area is between Sow & Pigs Reef and Taylors Bay.

The Women's Sailing Program has also been enhanced with the creation of the Sydney Harbour Women’s Keelboat Series, jointly conducted by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA), Manly Yacht Club (MYC), Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC), Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club (RPEYC) and Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (RSYS). For more information about the MHYC Women's Sailing Program, including the new series - click here

The Pacific Rigging Wednesday Non-Spinnaker Series will have three divisions to allow for the wide range of boats and performance across this popular fleet. Courses for this 51 race program have been updated accordingly.

Courses have also been updated for the Thursday Twilight Non-Spinnaker Series with an option for finishing races at Grotto Point on days with reduced wind. Divisions 1 & 2 will now sail separate courses and all courses have been re-ordered.

Crew Registration will remain mandatory for all series throughout the 2020-2021 season - click here

Here is a summary of the number of races in each MHYC Series……….

2020-2021 Series	Scheduled Races
Ocean Pointscore	6
IRC Inshore Series	16
PHS Inshore Series	26
Adams 10 Pointscore	24
Saturday Social	14
Inshore Sprints	8
Winter Sprints	8
Winter Pursuit Series	4
Leading Edge Pursuit Series	4
Wednesday Pursuit Pointscore	49
Thursday Twilight Pursuit Pointscore	24
Women’s Twilight Pursuit Pointscore	6
Feature Events Series	9

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