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Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship – a weekend of thrilling racing  

Hooligan won all three windward-leeward
races today (Crosbie Lorimer Photo)

After two days of competitive racing, Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s (MHYC) annual Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC) wound up this afternoon in pleasant conditions on a beautiful spring day and winners were announced at the Club early this evening.

There was no beating Bob Cox’s Nine Dragons in Division 1 of the Championship. The DK46 is always well-sailed and Cox drove it to three wins from four races. Yesterday he scored third in the Passage Race, but there was no stopping Nine Dragons and the crew on the offshore windward leeward courses today.

“It was really good to get a group of boats together of a similar size – it made it great competition for all of us,” Cox enthused, eluding to sistership Khaleesi (Andrew and Pauline Dally), St Jude and others.  

Racing was so tight that Darryl Hodgkinson’s Carkeek 40 finished second overall on countback on equal points with two others - Khaleesi third overall and Noel Cornish’s Sydney 47, St Jude, (which won the Cabbage Tree Island Race earlier this month), fourth.

“Saturday’s Passage Race was fluky. Victoire annihilated us. The course had a lot of reaching and it demonstrated what a good boat it is. We were third, St Jude was faster. We had to get back to the Club and evaluate,” admitted Cox, a member of MHYC.

Today’s offshore windward/leeward courses, though, were tailor made for Nine Dragons. The sea had a bit of punch to it, with a little rolling swell, but nothing too severe.

“We did much better,” Cox said. “It was great racing with Khaleesi, Victoire and St Jude. Victoire was banging the corners - they were a bit faster than us,” Cox said.

“Ian Box (Toy Box 2) got a third in the first race today - he’s had a good regatta against tough competition,” acknowledged Cox of his fellow MHYC club member and a past commodore.

“The first race of the day was a bit of a disaster,” said Cox after Principal Race Officer Denis Thompson was forced to abandon when the breeze shifted 40 degrees. The two divisions and the new TP52 class settled in and Thompson got them away pretty smartly. They were dealt shifty and tricky winds of up to 14 knots; a day for the tacticians.

“I had Julian Plante calling tactics; Yarrandi (Dave Griffith’s Marten 49) had Cocko (Michael Coxon). He was whipping them along. “

Prior to the event, Andrew Dally said he would love to beat their sistership. It was not to be.

Cox responds: “There’s not a great deal of difference between us – not a big gap. One slight hiccup and they’ve got you. You can’t take your foot of the accelerator.”

In Division 2, there was a collision at the start of Race 4, involving Grace O’Malley, JustADash and Supernova. As a result, Grace O’Malley was unable to start the race. Phil Dash’ JustADash was declared the division winner, with Jack Stening/Colin Gunn’s Sydney 36, Stormaway, second - the two are regulars at the top of the many scoreboards. Matthew Hanning’s Supernova was third.

Marcus Blackmore’s Hooligan was the gun boat in the TP52s, taking the series from Quest (which Bob Steel repurchased recently) and Sam Haynes’ Celestial. Blackmore said the idea had been to put in place a system to make it an even playing field between the newer boats with professional sailors, and the older boats that are mostly crewed by Corinthians.

However, the RORC in the UK said it wasn’t possible, so the owners in the class will have to come up with another way. And like Nine Dragons, Hooligan was third in the Passage Race, but came out all guns blazing on the windward/leeward courses, winning all three on IRC. 

“Middle Harbour is very keen to support us in what we’re doing and it’ll be great when we get more TPs involved,” Blackmore said.

“It was great racing today – and our first event of the new series.  It sharpens your skills when you do a bit of fleet racing over two days. And as we know, it’s all about time in the boat. In a one-design class like this we all share the knowledge – it’s a learning experience.”

The Super 12 Series was also made up of four races and it was an MC38 stranglehold.  Lazy Dog, owned by Shaun Lane and Quentin Stewart, was the outstanding boat this weekend. She cleaned up, winning all four races. Steven Proud, fairly new to the class, finished second overall with Swish, with Stephen Barlow’s Lightspeed third.

A thrilled Lane said, “It was quite interesting – we bought the boat a year ago, and exactly to this day we sailed our first regatta – it was a complete disaster. We didn’t know what we were doing, dropping a kite over the side, running over it, and all sorts. But we built a good team of guys and have been training hard together and it’s all working for us.

“We didn’t do anything exceptional this weekend, we just worked hard and didn’t do anything wrong. One mistake and you were gone. Steve Thomas was calling tactics for us. We have a young keen team of dinghy sailors and they called the breeze well.”

Following the double points Passage Race yesterday, the Super 12s first race today was a two lapper; the remaining two were three laps each. The amusingly named ‘Lazy Dog’ was able to separate herself from the rest in the final race and extended around the course.

Sixty two boats took part in the first major keelboat regatta for spring, and included the inaugural TP52 class regatta, adding to the spectacle. After racing both days, competitors trouped back to MHYC to enjoy the Club’s characteristic party with music on the beach – a wonderful way to spend the weekend.

Thanks go to PRO, Denis Thompson, and MHYC and Cruising Yacht Club of Australia officials and volunteers.

Middle Harbour Yacht Club also expresses it thanks to sponsors: Helly Hansen, Club Marine, Oatley Wines, Keysun and Vittoria.

Full results and all information: www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au

Di Pearson, MHYC media

 

Read more: Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship – a weekend of thrilling racing  

Offshore and Inshore - SSORC, Super 12 and Seven Islands at MHYC

Bob Steel's Quest has won the SSORC Offshore Passage
Race in the TP52s (Crosbie Lorimer Photo)

The Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship Offshore Passage Race today kicked off a very busy weekend for Middle Harbour Yacht Club.

Twenty boats entered in the SSORC IRC divisions were joined by entrants in CYCA’s Ocean Pointscore series for a race to Lion Island and return with a 10am start.  Breezes were below forecast and faded as the afternoon progressed, meaning a long day on the water for several crews.  However, Marcus Blackmore’s Hooligan was back in Watson’s Bay for a finish just after 2pm, earning him the John Hurley Memorial Gun Boat Trophy.

On IRC, Bob Steel’s Quest came out on top of the TP52 Division with Celestial (Sam Haynes) and Hooligan (Marcus Blackmore) taking the minor placings.

Daryl Hodgkinson’s Carkeek 40, Victoire, claimed the IRC Division 1 win from St Jude (Noel Cornish)and Nine Dragons (Bob Cox).  Zoe Taylor steered Grace O’Malley home for a win in IRC Division 2 ahead of Supernova (Matthew Hanning) and Justadash (Phil Dash).

The SSORC will head back off Sydney Heads tomorrow morning for three offshore windward-leeward races to complete the championship program.

The Super 12 Spring Regatta got underway with the Seven Islands inshore passage race today.  The fleet start at the entrance to Middle Harbour was challenging as the breeze rotated through 160 degrees right on start time.

Lazy Dog is the top dog after winning today's double
points passage race (Crosbie Lorimer Photo)

After a short delay, the fleet was sent off in a light south-easterly that became more variable on the western part of the course.  Shaun Lane and Quentin Stewart’s Lazy Dog found a bit of extra breeze somewhere and managed to hold off the fleet to claim the double points race win from Lightspeed (Stephen Barlow) and Swish (Stephen Proud).

Three inshore windward-leeward races are scheduled tomorrow to conclude the Super 12 Spring Regatta.

The Seven Islands Pursuit Race is one of MHYC’s most popular feature races and is part of the Jeanneau Cup series.  Taking in seven harbour islands, the course is from MHYC to Spectacle Island and return.

Walter Carpenter’s Samarkand was the first Division 1 boat home, with a healthy advantage over XC3SS (Peter Woodhead) and Blue Sky (Carl Braden).  In Division 2 it was Charles Caskey’s Perception from Innamincka (John Crawford) and Renaissance (Gary Carless).

The Jeanneau Division was won by Scott Lawson in Starstruck, ahead of Macscap (Peter McClelland) and Zeusus (Laurie McAllister).

To view the SSORC results – click here 

To view the Super 12 Spring Regatta Results – click here 

To view the Seven Islands Pursuit Results – click here

To visit the SSORC Website - click here

Photos by Crosbie Lorimer...

Photos by Marg Fraser-Martin...

Read more: Offshore and Inshore - SSORC, Super 12 and Seven Islands at MHYC

Short Series and Adams 10 on November 3

It was a hot spring day with difficult flukey winds for the MHYC Short Series and Adams 10 race on Saturday 3rd November.

In the Adams 10s, Patrick Delaney's Powderhulk took the One Design win with Lumine Lunae (Raoul De Ferranti) and Rock Solid  (Mitch Miller) in 2nd & 3rd place. Lumine Lunae also winning 1st place in the PHS division.

Forty Two (John McGrory & Mike Coleman) won Division 1 from Lazy Dog (Shaun Lane) and Galan (Mike Gallagher).  

Congratulations to our three Division 2 J24’s that headed down to Cronulla to compete in the J24 NSW State Championships.  A great result for Waterborne Again (Brendan Lee) with a 2nd place finish on one design after the 6 races over 2 days.  A strong showing for the other MHYC competitors with Ace (David West) in 4th followed by Vortex (Chris Lee) and Innamincka (John Crawford) in 5th and 6th respectively.  Vortex claimed the win on handicap.

Congratulations also to the Open division boats competing in the Morna Cup, which is Race 3 of the SOPS Series.  In Division 1 Nine Dragons (Bob Cox) took 1st place in the IRC category with Just a Dash( Phil Dash ) winning 3rd place in both the IRC and PHS categories. In Division 2 Stormaway (Jack Stening) won 1st place in the IRC as well as 2nd place in the PHS categories. Third place in the PHS category went to Mortgage Choice Rumba (Rob Carr and Kerry Burke).

To view the latest results for the Adams 10 Division - Click Here

To view the latest results for the Short Series – Click Here

Photos - Marg Fraser-Martin was on the water again today to capture some of the action....

Read more: Short Series and Adams 10 on November 3

Melges 20 Womens & Open Sprints continue

Racing in the Melges 20s continued this week with three races completed in the Open Sprints on Tuesday evening and another two races completed for the Womens Series on Wednesday.

A fresh 20 knot north easterly made for some lively racing on Tuesday night, whereas the bright was light and varied in direction from north to west on Wednesday.

For the latest results in the Melges 20 Open Sprint Series - click here

For the latest results in the Melges 20 Womens Sprint Series - click here

Tuesday Photos

Wednesday Photos

Read more: Melges 20 Womens & Open Sprints continue

Ideal conditions for Inshore Racing today

It was a perfect north easterly breeze building from 12 to almost 20 knots this afternoon for the MHYC Inshore race and 25 boats had an enjoyable two and a half hours on the water.

Phil Dash's Just A Dash took the IRC win in the Open Division, with Neil Padden's Wailea taking top prize on PHS ahead of Just A Dash and Toy Box.

In the Adams 10s, Patrick Delaney's Powderhulk took the double win on PHS and One Design, with Rock Solid and Kick 'n Chase 2nd & 3rd in the OD results.

Mortgage Choice Rumba (Cook / Carr / Burke) won Division 1 frrom Forty Two and OptimumDania took the prize for Division 2 ahead opf Innamincka and Waterborne Again.  John Crawford's Innamincka was the quickest of the J24s.

At the prize presentations, Vice Commodore Racing, Geoff Charters, announced that Martin Hill, the inaugural recipient of the Tig Thomas Trophy for International competition, has just won the 2018 International Etchells World Championship in Brisbane.  Congratulations Martin and crew!

To view the latest results for the Open Division - Click Here

To view the latest results for the Adams 10 Division - Click Here

To view the latest results for the Inshore Divisions - Click Here

Photos - Marg Fraser-Martin was on the water again today to capture some of the action....

 

Read more: Ideal conditions for Inshore Racing today

Inshore Racing on November 17

It was a lively afternoon of racing when the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club Cruiser-Racers joined the MHYC fleet for an inshore race last Saturday.  A moderate southerly increased to fresh as the afternoon progressed, providing some exciting sailing conditions.

In the MHYC fleet, John McGrory & Mike Coleman's Forty claimed the Division 1 win from Mortgage Choice Rumba and XC3SS, while John Crawford's Innamincka took out Division 2 ahead of Vortex and DaniaRock Solid (Mitch Miller) was too good for Powderhulk and No Friends in the Adams 10s and Geoff Pearson's MRX claimed the Open Division win from Toy Box 2 and Just a Dash.

In the Saturday Social Sailors pursuit race, Max Theeboom's Caviar was the first boat home ahead of Nashira and Delphin.

To view the Inshore Series Results - click here

To view the Open Series Results - click here

To view the Saturday Social Series Results - click here

Marg Fraser-Martin was aboard Hugh George on Saturday to capture the inshore racing action...

Read more: Inshore Racing on November 17

Outlaw wins first pointscore regatta of Farr 40 season

By Jennie Hughes, Farr 40 Australian Class Administrator, as amended by MHYC

After four races offshore yesterday and another four races inside the harbour today, Tom and Alan Quick’s Outlaw have won the first pointscore regatta of the 2018/19 Farr 40 One Design Trophy Series at Middle Harbour Yacht Club.

In what is quickly becoming a regular outcome, the Outlaw team have roared into this season at the top of the leaderboard.  Tactician David Chapman has put together a team back from his days with the Voodoo Chile programme based in Hobart, Tasmania.  Wulf Wilkens, Tim Roberts and Phil Armstrong were part of the winning crew at the Nationals in 2015. Chapman complimented his fellow comrades, “We have a very experienced crew. They hike hard and are loyal team players.  We don’t train, given the distance between crew members, so today was a great result for us”.

Outlaw recruited two new crew members for the final four races of the regatta, who just happened to be Chapman’s relatives.  “My father came out of retirement today and raced with us, his first Farr 40 race since the 2005 Sydney Worlds aboard Ivan Wheen’s Sputnik . We also had my Uncle, Bob Wilmot aboard, so it was a real family affair and nice to come out on top.”  Chapman also paid tribute to Class newcomers, “It was great to see Jason and Mary King getting stronger and stronger and hopefully they can convert their top mark performances into finishes soon”.

Racing today took place between Middle Head and Neilson Park with 12-22 knots providing perfect conditions for the Australian fleet to fight it out for the trophy.

With just two points separating Double Black from Outlaw at the end of yesterday’s racing, the Victorian team were hot on their heels, scoring a second in Race 6 and a first in Race 7, finishing second overall.

The stiff competition of the Farr 40 Worlds in Chicago proved good practice for the Zen team who had their most consistent regatta ever, achieving third place with the following scores over eight races 2-2-5-2-2-4-3-3.

It was the first regatta of the season for Melbourne entry Nutcracker with co-owners Rob Davis and Andy Baker.  Rob Davis, Immediate Past Commodore of the Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC) is looking forward to a great season. “It’s been a long time since the team have sailed together and we were just trying to find our feet this weekend.  It was a shake-down regatta for us as we are back sailing with our original SYC team.  We are now locked in for the rest of the series at Pittwater, Newcastle, the States and Nationals and I’d like to thank my co-owner, Andy Baker for his commitment to the Class and our sailing programme.  We can’t wait to get back into racing in a few weeks at Pittwater and are looking forward to a great season.”

Exile owner, Rob Reynolds has been enjoying some holiday time with his family and the Class appreciates his efforts in organising substitute helmsmen, so his Exile crew can still compete.  Joe de Kock from Newcastle stepped into the Skipper role this weekend and did a great job, the highlight, winning Race 5. 

To view the latest results - click here

Photos at Farr 40 facebook - click here

DAY 2 VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS BY TILLY LOCK MEDIA

Read more: Outlaw wins first pointscore regatta of Farr 40 season

Perfect Day for Inshore Sprints on November 10

Saturday 10 November brought a sunny day and a moderate south-easterly - perfect conditions for the inshore sprints.

It was busy on the sound with a number of ship movements adding to the usual ferry traffic and a lot of clubs running courses in the area.  Two races were completed for the Open, Adams 10 and No.1 Divisions, although the first race for Division 2 was abandoned due to the unfair influence of shipping.

In Race 3 of the Inshore Sprints Series (the first race of the day), Toy Box 2 (Ian Box) claimed the win from Nine Dragons and Stormaway on PHS and also took the IRC win.  Patrick Delany’s Powderhulk took the One Design and PHS prize for Adams 10s, with No Friends and Kick’nChase next on OD.  Peter Woodhead’s XC3SS claimed the Division 1 PHS win from Mortgage Choice Rumba and Forty Two.

In Race 4, Ian Box and the Toy Box 2 team made it two from two with another win, this time from MRX (Geoff Pearson) who took the IRC win.  Stormaway was third on PHS.  Mitch Miller and the Rock Solid crew were the first to finish in the Adams 10s, ahead of Kick’nChase and Powderhulk.  Geoff Charters’ No Friends claimed the PHS win.  In Division 1, it was Forty Two (John McGrory & Mike Coleman) from Mortgage Choice Rumba and XC3SSInnamincka (John Crawford) claimed the Division 2 and the J24 One Design win with Junior and Waterborne Again next on PHS.

In the Saturday Social Sailing race, Max Theeboom’s Caviar was first home from Nashira and Delphin.

To view the Open Sprints Results - click here

To view the Inshore Sprints Results - click here

To view the Saturday Social Results - click here

Thanks again to Marg Fraser-Martin who was on the water again to capture some great action shots….

Read more: Perfect Day for Inshore Sprints on November 10

NSW retains the Waitangi Cup

The Waitangi Cup Interstate Challenge for the Adams 10 Class has concluded at Middle Harbour Yacht Club with racing abandoned on the final day.

Four windward-leeward races were conducted yesterday, with the NSW team dominating the placings and taking a 4-0 lead in the teams race score.  Conditions were a fresh 14-19 knots with plenty of chop and a slight swell on The Sound.

Skippers for each of the boats were Monica Jones, Grant Botica & James Heywood for VIC and Mitch Miller, Patrick Delaney & Geoff Charters for NSW.

The Waitangi Cup trophy will remain in NSW for another year and the event will  be hosted on Port Phillip in 2019.

Final Results - click here

Event Webpage - click here

Action Photos by Marg Fraser-Martin

Read more: NSW retains the Waitangi Cup

Twilight Sailing on November 8

There was a south-easterly breeze and a magnificent evening for twilight sailing last Thursday. 

Over forty boats enjoyed the conditions but with the moderate wind fading to light as it came closer to 8pm, a number unfortunately did not finish within the time limit.

First boat home in Division 1 was Graeme Lee’s Farr ‘n Away ahead of Toy Box 2 and Pearl 2.  In Div 2 it was Starstruck (Scott Lawson), then Moonshadow V and Mortgage Choice Rumba.  Laurie McAllister’s Zeusus claimed the Division 3 win from Bula and French Connection, while David & Ben Field’s Bluebottle led Cutting Loose and Single Malt home in Div 4.

Back at the club, it was Mad Hatters night with prizes for the best hats and live entertainment.

Thanks to Marg Fraser-Martin for the on-water photos......

Read more: Twilight Sailing on November 8

Outlaws take charge at Farr 40 One Design Trophy

After four quick races offshore on day one of the Farr 40 Australia One Design Trophy at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, Tom and Alan Quick’s Outlaw team are Boat of the Day after scoring two bullets and two third places.

Skipper, Tom Quick was pleased with today’s result.  “It was a great team effort today.  The Double Black guys were jumping all over us in the last race defending their lead with enthusiasm.  It was tricky conditions in the chop but we came out on top, just.  We will enjoy tonight’s beach party and look forward to hopefully getting some racing in tomorrow.”

Quick added, “A quick shout out to Jason and Mary King and the SolYmar team who sailed brilliantly today, given they were two crew short and minus a tactician. Great effort”.

MHYC PRO Phil Yeomans ran four efficient races today off Harbord Diggers with an average of 10-12 knots, dropping to 8-9 knots.  With tomorrow’s forecast in mind the PRO said, “We wanted to get four races in today and get a result in preparation for the southerly change overnight.  Whilst the Class doesn’t have an official wind limit, we’ve always pulled the pin when winds get over 25 knots.”

The men in black from Melbourne had a great day on the water scoring a 1-4-3-1 placing them in second place, just one point behind regatta leader Outlaw. Double Black Skipper Rob Pitts was pleased with the result.  “We are stoked with today’s result. Winning the first race gave us a sense of confidence and we had great consistent upwind sailing in a tricky sea state.  Our tactician Joe Turner did a great job and the team all sailed above the line today, so well done guys”.

The Melbourne and Sydney based builder has been racing his Farr 40 in Sydney for three years and enjoys the camaraderie of the Class. “I love the Farr 40 Class. We have such a great bunch of owners and crew and it’s always so well organised.  All teams are downstairs now at the Beach Party and we couldn’t ask for more.  The staff at MHYC are wonderful and always make us feel so welcome.”

Australian Class President Gordon Ketelbey and the Zen crew have just arrived back in Sydney from the Farr 40 Worlds in Chicago.  The competitive racing against the international fleet resulted in some consistency today with the team scoring three seconds and a fifth, placing them in third place overall at the end of day one.

Janey Treleaven’s Finn was a late scratching due to the newly appointed CYCA Rear Commodore’s involvement in the Invictus Games, leaving just six boats to battle it out and take the lead at the first pointscore regatta of the season. Tomorrow’s racing will commence at 11am inside the harbour.

To view the latest results - click here

To view the Farr 40 Website - click here

Read more: Outlaws take charge at Farr 40 One Design Trophy