The Pacific Rigging Wednesday Non-Spinnaker Race was a quiet affair today, with the north-easterly not rising above six knots. The fleet managed most of Course 2, sailed between Eastern Channel and Manly, but were shortened at Edwards Beach. First home in Division 1 was Gordon Ketelbey’s Zen, ahead of Gambler (Garth Riley) and Austmark (Gunther Schmidt-Lindner). Graeme & Chris Lee’s Far N Away took a four-minute win in Division 2, beating home Renaissance (Gary Carless) and Stormaway (Jack Stening & Colin Gunn).
Condor (Super 40s) puts the foot down to stay ahead - Andrea Francolini pic
An ideal autumn day on Sydney Harbour and offshore decided the winners and new Australian and NSW champions in three classes at Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s 2023 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta today.
Some of yesterday’s leaders extended today to claim their respective overall wins, while others came from behind, finding the lovely north- easterly wind more to their liking.
Open Classes
Mark Griffith did his best work yesterday in light airs, claiming all three windward/leeward races with the DK46, LCE Old School Racing. He did enough today, with 2-2-5 results to win Division 1 of the Open Class from another DK46, Nine Dragons, owned by Robert Cox. Keiran Mulcahy’s King 40, Soozal, placed third. The trio are regular top three players.
“Saturday we had a really good day and won by some fairly big margins. Macca (Steve McConaghy) did great job on tactics and we had good speed,” Griffith shared.
“Today we had a good ding-dong battle with Nine Dragons. It wasn’t so easy, but we are pretty happy to come away with two second places today. We lost our bowman over the side in third race, but the crew did an excellent job of retrieval, had him back on board very quickly. We stayed consistent and were able to just hang in there,” Griffith ended.
Division 2
Serial winner, Stormaway (Colin Gunn and Jack Stening), won Division 2. The Sydney 36 scored four wins and a pair of second places, outsailing Peter Farrugia’s Bullwinkle and Neil Padden’s Wailea. The latter two finished on equal points.
Adams 10 win goes to Artemis
Tracy Richardson on the way to winning the Adams 10 division
Andrea Francolini pic
With MHYC celebrating International Women’s day at the regatta today, it seemed appropriate that club member, Tracy Richardson, came from behind to win the division with Artemis. She did so by scoring three straight wins on the windward/leeward courses.
“Best day ever,” a thrilled Richardson said. “Our manoeuvres and crew work were incredible and the conditions suited us,” she said of the building nor’ easter on a perfect sunny day, when a 12 knot breeze worked its way up to 18 knots on the Sydney Harbour course.
“We got the boat going today. We had great tactics downwind and great competition with Another Dilemma especially. It’s been such close racing. We couldn’t even tell if we’d won the final race it was that close. Good one design racing.”
No Friends (Geoffrey Charters) and Another Dilemma (Jim Vaughan) placed second and third overall respectively and finished on equal points., four behind Artemis.
Performance Class Spinnaker
Craig Douglas’ Beneteau First 47.7, Popeye, revelled in today’s conditions and took out Division 1 from Eric Frank’s Bliss and Mark Gorbatov’s Blink.
“We did everything right,” Douglas asserted. “We had a strong team on board, the hardcore Popeye sailing team. That’s the reason for our success.
“On Saturday, moving a 13 ton boat in 5 knots was not easy, but the crew work in that light air was exceptional. Today was our sort of wind.”
Division 2
Graeme Dunlop’s Ellipse finished at the top of Division 2, his Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 outdid Robert Carr’s regular, Rumba, which couldn’t quite dance into the top spot. Stella Polaris took third.
Division 3
Michael Doherty’s Sequel claimed the Division 3 spoils from Dean Dransfield’s Escape.
The Performance Spinnaker classes were scored under ORC and PHS. Strong fleet numbers provided the most entries and colour at the regatta.
New Farr 40 NSW champion S1- Andrea Francolini pic
Farr 40 – S1 new NSW champion
Brendan McAssey and crew sailed an exemplary series on SI to be named the Farr 40 NSW champions. S1 won five of the six windward/leeward races and placed second in the other. Gordon Ketelbey’s 1-2-2 lifted Zen up to second overall, Brent Lawson’s Blue Tack settling for third. All are from the host club.
“Our crew work was the difference. We’ve been sailing with the same guys for a while and everyone was on their game this weekend,” McAssey said of the crew who were with him at the 2022 Australian Yachting Championships.
“Ian McKillop, our tactician, was amazing. He made all the right calls. We’re excited to be back sailing again on a fantastic Sydney weekend and at a great regatta.“
Sydney 38 – Conspiracy defends her title successfully
They did not lead coming into the day, but that is fairly typical of Peter Byford and David Hudson, who have retained their Sydney 38 One-Design NSW Championship. The scores were exceptionally close yesterday, with Peter Sorensen’s Advanced Philosophy leading the charge. But as the Conspiracy crew regularly does, they saved the best for last, three straight wins today trumping the rest.
Sorro, after swearing blind yesterday that he would take the title from them this time, finished second overall, three points behind. Greg Croak, who brings Challenge down from Toronto for major events, took third place.
J/99 Inaugural Championship
Jules Hall’s Disko Trooper (CYCA) was too good for the rest. Hall won five of the six windward/leeward races to claim the inaugural J/99 crown. Ian Smith’s Jupiter and Shane Connolly’s Rum Rebellion maintained their respective second and third places of yesterday.
In other results, Sam Haynes was too classy for the rest, winning all six races in the J/70 division. The Sydney vet is on a winning streak on the Harbour and offshore (he won the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart).
In the Fareast 28R division, Ming the Merciless was just that. Her syndicate of five owners, Jono, Neil, Chris, John and Jack, won five of six races for victory over Scott Lawson’s Firecracker and Wildling 3, sailed by the Wildling syndicate.
MHYC thanks naming rights sponsor Nautilus Marine Insurance and supporting sponsor Quality Marine Clothing.
The Club also thanks Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Sydney Amateur Sailing Club, Manly Yacht Club, Royal Australian Navy Sailing Association, Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club and the Sydney Flying Squadron and their volunteer force, for their valuable support at the 18th running of the Sydney Harbour Regatta.
For all divisions’ full results in all divisions, photos and more from the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, please visit: https://www.shr.mhyc.com.au/
Nine Dragons in surfing mode - Andrea Francolini pic
The 2022 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC) concluded late this afternoon with two out of the three windward/leeward races completed; the final Race 4 abandoned as the light breeze fell away to nothing before a thunderstorm arrived.
Although he didn’t win a race, local sailor Bob Cox was the most consistent performer in Division 1 of Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s (MHYC) annual event. Cox and his DK46, Nine Dragons, scored a third yesterday. Today’s second and third places helped him to the top of the podium following the abandonment of Race 4.
Two Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) yachts filled the other podium places. LCE Old School Racing, one of three DK46’s in Division 1 and skippered by Mark Griffith, won Race 2. The victory handed him second place overall on countback to clubmate, Keiran Mulcahy’s King 40, Soozal.
MHYC Commodore, Rob Aldis, won the second race of the day with his DK46, Khaleesi, to finish fourth overall. Soozal stopped the top three results from being an all-DK46 party.
Cox could not wipe the smile off his face: “We were trying to win a race but we also wanted to minimise risk to pull out the best result we could. It was very fluky today,” he said.
Marvelling at being able to race against two sisterships in LCE Old School and Khaleesi, Cox recounted, “Yesterday the three DKs were side by side and pretty much stayed like that all the way to Lion Island. We had to cross the other two to get closer to shore. That was good racing. When we got around, we were obviously aware of the other two.
“Getting into the Harbour was difficult though. We put the Code Zero up, then tried the running kite and ended up putting the Code Zero up again. We got second to Victoire. She was very quick.”
Cox said he was appreciative of the good contingent of boats from the RPAYC. “We’ll return the favour by going to their Pittwater Regatta early next year. Khaleesi came to the fore later in the regatta and it was good to see Ian Box’s new set up on Toy Box has worked – the boat is faster. Overall, it was a very good fleet.
Stormaway living up to her name - David Staley pic
“The DKs are aging and so am I – I’ll be 78 in March. I’ve had a bad leg, so the crew had to help me get from side to side this weekend. Full congratulations and thanks to the crew – they were very focussed,” Cox finished.
Second placed Mark Griffith said today was light and hard work with a bit of chop. “It made it difficult to keep the boat moving and that was the key to winning. Three DK46s. It was very close, but Nine Dragons was more polished. We look forward to racing against them all again at our Pittwater Regatta in February.”
Griffith continued, “Middle Harbour Yacht Club put on a great regatta. The best is the fantastic camaraderie between the DK46 crews and the rest. We’ve loved every minute of it.”
Division 2 went to the always well-sailed Stormaway, a Sydney 36 owned by Jack Stening and Colin Gunn. The pair’s 2-3-2 results gave them a one-point final advantage over Peter Sorensen’s Advanced Philosophy after the latter won Race 1 yesterday and Race 2 today. Peter Farrugia’s Bull 9000, Bullwinkle (RPAYC) placed third overall after victory in Race 3.
Gunn commented, “Sorro and Conspiracy (which sailed in ORC) sailed fantastically well this weekend. We feel so sorry for Sorro – there was some confusion and I’m sure he would have won had he not retired from the second race today. We were working so hard to stay anyway near them.”
Gunn said he and Stening were surprised and happy to pull the win out of the hat: “Just shows that sometimes sailing is a bit of a lottery. You can’t stop until the race is over,” he said. “We had a wonderful weekend. Yesterday was just glorious.
“We express our gratitude to all the boats that came down from the Alfreds, making it a good competition. And we have great appreciation for the organisers at Middle Harbour Yacht Club,” he ended.
Division 2 boats get off the start - David Staley pic
Division 2 looked likely to go to Sorensen’s Sydney 38, Advanced Philosophy, however, he retired from the shortened race amid some confusion.
Racing was away from 11am on the Manly Circle with three windward/leeward races planned. The day looked like it was going to be a good one breeze-wise, but as the first race progressed, the breeze lightened.
The second race was shortened for Division 1 and then Division 2 and race officials were given no alternative but to abandon their efforts to hold the third race.
Middle Harbour Yacht Club is next looking forward to the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta to be held on the first weekend in March. The Notice of Race has been published and online entry will open in early December at: https://www.shr.mhyc.com.au/
Janette Syme and Catherine Rofe are competing in the J/24 class
Andrea Francolini pic
On Wednesday 8 March, the world will celebrate International Women’s Day and Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC), through its Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta this weekend, celebrates all those women contesting the regatta, taking part in the on-water race management roles and those ashore who have administration roles.
Women’s participation in the sport of sailing continues to increase in Australia. Through clubs around the country and all the way up to the national and world authorities, specialised programs, learn to sail classes and Women’s regattas are de rigueur these days.
This weekend there are women spread throughout the large fleet of 170 boats participating in Championships and the various divisions in NSW’s largest keelboat event.
MHYC Sailing Manager, David Staley says, “Middle Harbour Yacht Club has been actively encouraging women to participate over the past few years. The Club’s first Women’s Regatta was held in May 2018 and a Women’s Twilight Series commenced the same year.
“Since 2021, the Club has arranged activities in conjunction with World Sailing’s Steer the Course program and was one of the foundation clubs contributing to running the Sydney Harbour Women’s Keelboat Series.
“Club member, Tracy Richardson and crew, sailed a loaned Adams 10 to win the 2022 Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta,” Staley said.
Richardson owns the Adams 10, Artemis. She became interested in sailing eight years ago and has not looked back. Leading into the final day of the Sydney Harbour Regatta last year, she ultimately placed second overall. An extremely competitive sailor, Richardson is also president of the Adams 10 Association.
Janette Syme is skipper of Kaotic in the J/24 division. She won the opening race and placed third in the other two to be placed third overall leading into the final day, today.
“Very tricky weather. We had a very good Race 1 yesterday,” Syme said. The top three boats were very close. We were all in front at some point. We took the lead at the last mark and just won, as the others were coming down to us with breeze.
As to sailing, Syme has loved it since taking up the sport at seven. “I started helming a Flying 11 at 11 and never looked back,” said the grandmother of two. “I haven’t given up on life yet,” she said laughing.
“The reason we’re doing this regatta is to practice for the Lady Liberty Women‘s Regatta in New York in September. It’s in J/24s and there will be crews from 10 nations competing. Catherine Rofe (MHYC Sailing Administrator) is one of the women on our crew.”
Karyn Gojnich is another prime example. She has represented Australia at three Olympic Games, is Rear Commodore of Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and is a big supporter of growing women’s participation in sailing. For this event, Gojnich is at the helm of the one-design J/70, Jabiru.
Annie Taylor is a long-time inshore and offshore racer. She hops from inshore regattas to one-design sailing and offshore yachting. Here at the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, she is racing offshore in IRC Division 2 on Bullwinkle, owned by Peter Farrugia.
Rosemary Merrington returns to fulfill her role on the start crew on E course. Robyn Tames is the Course Race Officer on D course and Alice Murphy, the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club’s Club Captain, is also on D course. Shue Zhang and Renee Spinks are on F course, Sylvia Liang is on the offshore mark boat team on course G and Ali Braden is driving one of the media boats.
Braden is a Laser Radial sailor and Olympic aspirant. She had sailed a Laser 4.7 until switching to the Radial mid-January.
“The Club asked if I would drive the media boat and I was keen to see some cool boats and the good variety of people in the classes, so I said ‘yes’. It’s my first time and it was fun,” the 15 year old said. “I would definitely do it again, I really enjoyed it.”
For all information on the 2023 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, including results, please visit: www.shr.mhyc.com.au
Victoire and Advanced Philosophy were the outstanding recipients of wins in summer like offshore conditions on the opening day of the 2022 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC) today.
Division 1 of Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s (MHYC) 45th running of the event went to Victoire, Darryl Hodgkinson’s Carkeek 40. Victoire took a little over a minute out of Keiran Mulcahy’s King 40, Soozal and Bob Cox’s DK46, Nine Dragons in the race to Lion Island on Pittwater.
Hodgkinson explained, “I just got back from New Zealand last night and arrived at the boat today. We have a new Code Zero which we used and what a weapon! The wind hiked up to 15-16 knots and the sail was perfect. Holy moly, we flew. We were first out of the Heads and kept up with the TP52s all the way to the Island. Of course they got away from us upwind.”
Commenting on conditions, the Sydney yachtsman, a past winner of the Rolex Sydney Hobart said, “It was a lovely day out. Sunny, breeze kicking in from 10-17 knots. The sea was a little lumpy, but nothing worth getting upset about.”
Over the moon with their win and his new sail, ‘Doctor Darryl’ continued, “They can go home tonight and worry about us, but I don’t think we’ll do as well on the windward/leewards tomorrow as we did offshore today.”
Division 2 went to MHYC stalwart, Peter Sorensen’s Advanced Philosophy, which in his words, “Cleaned up,” on his rivals. The Sydney 38 scored a five minute victory over Jack Stening and Colin Gunn’s Sydney 36, Stormaway and over 10 minutes to third placed Foreign Affair, the Farr 30 owned by Matt Wilkinson.
“We even beat Division 1 boats,” a chuffed ‘Sorro’ said. “I’m very pleased with myself and the crew. It’s good to know I’ve still got it at 80 years of age! “
The race started in a 12 -13 knot sou-sou-easterly. As day wore on it went from 145 degrees to 100 degrees on the offshore course, equating to a spinnaker run to Lion Island and a tight reach coming home.
“On the spinnaker run up, we stayed close inshore - that’s the golden rule – stay out of the southerly current. It paid off to go inshore and we went in dead square. Khaleesi and all those big boats (Division 1) went out to sea and when they came back in, they were with us.
“It was one of those lovely days on the water and all worked well today. I’ve got some pretty good guys on the boat and we sailed the boat well. We got there today because we went the right way and did the right things. Tomorrow is another day and a different race format…”
MHYC plans to run three windward/leeward races offshore tomorrow, which may mix the results up.
SEVEN ISLANDS RACE ON SYDNEY HARBOUR – 21ST BIRTHDAY GIFT ON RENAISSANCE
Andy Forbes Georgia Express got the gun in Division 1 of the fun Seven Islands Race. “We won,” said a pleased Forbes.
The Farr Mumm 36 successfully took on serial winner, Brian Lees and his Adams 10 Contentious and Charles Caskey’s Sydney 36 Cruiser/Racer, Onya to win the race.
“I had crew missing, so we raced with reduced numbers. We decided to go out and have fun, but the conditions were so good, we thought we’d go out and pass everyone we could!
Forbes said they enjoyed a fantastic run down the Harbour under spinnaker. “Once we got around Birkenhead, it was about ticking the boats off and keeping on going. We caught the last ones in the last 500 metres of the race.”
The fleet enjoyed a breeze of 17 knots that dropped down to 9 knots during the race.
“I was about using the right sails at the right time. We pretty much used the full inventory,” Forbes said, laughing.
“Everyone knows the boat well now, so sail it well together. We sail the boat with a 50/50 male female split and have debrief before and after each race. It was a golden day out and such fun,” Forbes ended.
A family outing on Gary Carless’ Renaissance, turned into a special 21st birthday celebration for his grandson Shannon. The Northshore 369 beat Simon Dunlop’s Ellipse and Chris Skinner’s Martela to claim the Division 2 bounty.
“We had three generations of Carless’ on the boat, the youngest, Shannon, turned 21 today,” said a thrilled Gary Carless. “There was myself, two of my sons, two grandsons and my wife Janice on board. We all enjoyed the day and it was a pretty nice way for Shannon to spend his 21st.
“It was a beautiful breeze,” Carless expounded. “We worked out of Middle Harbour, then cracked a spinnaker to Cockatoo and Spectacle Islands and worked back in a lovely 10-15 knot easterly. My family lined up for this race and the Sydney Harbour Regatta each year.
Held on the Harbour each year, the Seven Islands Race attracts a mixed keelboat fleet. It starts off MHYC pursuit style and the first to the finish post back at the Club claims the trophies in each division.
Happy volunteers waiting for customers to check-in – photo Renee Spinks
Whilst the media focuses on the yachts competing in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart race, behind the scenes the MHYC Race Management team is beavering away assisting the CYCA to start the race.
We first became involved in 2006 and as in previous years we were allocated Line 2. For this year Line 2 comprised 36 entrants from the IRC 2 and IRC 3 divisions, as well as running the pre-race check-in for all 109 competitors.
The check-in requires all boats to report into the race committee with their storm sails hoisted and also advise the number of people on board. In previous years these have been combined, however, this year the sailing instructions split them in two; the storm sail check (as normal) but with PoB reporting over the radio.
The day started at MHYC with a 10am briefing when we split the group of 7 into two; one team Sue Morris, Renee Spinks and Kathy Johnson, to run the storm sail checks with Toby Guransky, Phil Clinton and Andrew Ware, to manage the PoB reporting.
By 10:45 we were anchored on station at the pin end of Line 2 and shortly after we had a queue of boats for the storm sail check-in. All up we checked in all 109 competitors in about 75 minutes.
Competitors with storm sails queuing to Check-in – photo Renee Spinks
With the paperwork completed we positioned ourselves for the start. The RSHR uses a 10 minute countdown but with the added twist that if a boat is OCS at the start, although the race committee will display the X-flag and make a sound signal and will call OCS on the radio the OCS boat isn’t identified by its sail number until 5 minutes after the start. Since the I-flag is displayed as the preparatory signal the OCS boat then has to return, round one end of the line and then restart.
On Line 2 we’ve not had the excitement of an OCS on Line 2 for several years and they can be hard to identify but this year with some time to go B45 was well over and although they managed to get back below the line they were pushed over again by another competitor.
Line 2 with B45 getting uncomfortably close to being OCS – photo Andrew Ware
As an official vessel we operate inside the Exclusion Zone and, more specifically, we’re not allowed to leave it. So after the start with our duties completed we followed the fleet out through The Heads.
Post-Start looking back into the fleet with Toybox 2 in the foreground– photo Renee Spinks
All up a tough day in the office. Thanks to Greg Young for the use of Leah Tash and to the race management volunteers who gave up their Boxing Day; Andrew Ware, Kathy Johnston, Phil Clinton, Renee Spinks, Steve Aldridge, Sue Morris and Toby Guranscky.
Andy Forbes Georgia Express got the gun in Division 1 of the fun Seven Islands Race. “We won,” said a pleased Forbes.
The Farr Mumm 36 successfully took on serial winner, Brian Lees and his Adams 10 Contentious and Charles Caskey’s Sydney 36 Cruiser/Racer, Onya to win the race.
“I had crew missing, so we raced with reduced numbers. We decided to go out and have fun, but the conditions were so good, we thought we’d go out and pass everyone we could!
Forbes said they enjoyed a fantastic run down the Harbour under spinnaker. “Once we got around Birkenhead, it was about ticking the boats off and keeping on going. We caught the last ones in the last 500 metres of the race.”
The fleet enjoyed a breeze of 17 knots that dropped down to 9 knots during the race.
“I was about using the right sails at the right time. We pretty much used the full inventory,” Forbes said, laughing.
“Everyone knows the boat well now, so sail it well together. We sail the boat with a 50/50 male female split and have debrief before and after each race. It was a golden day out and such fun,” Forbes ended.
A family outing on Gary Carless’ Renaissance, turned into a special 21st birthday celebration for his grandson Shannon. The Northshore 369 beat Simon Dunlop’s Ellipse and Chris Skinner’s Martela to claim the Division 2 bounty.
“We had three generations of Carless’ on the boat, the youngest, Shannon, turned 21 today,” said a thrilled Gary Carless. “There was myself, two of my sons, two grandsons and my wife Janice on board. We all enjoyed the day and it was a pretty nice way for Shannon to spend his 21st.
“It was a beautiful breeze,” Carless expounded. “We worked out of Middle Harbour, then cracked a spinnaker to Cockatoo and Spectacle Islands and worked back in a lovely 10-15 knot easterly. My family lined up for this race and the Sydney Harbour Regatta each year.
Held on the Harbour each year, the Seven Islands Race attracts a mixed keelboat fleet. It starts off MHYC pursuit style and the first to the finish post back at the Club claims the trophies in each division.
After an early morning rain shower the sun can me out for the start of the Chaos and Bedlam Point Cup. A solid fleet of 25 boats participated in the event which included the Beneteau Cup Series.
Little Nico, Kukukerchu and Georgia Express managed to get their asymmetrical kites up immediately for a quick start off the line.
With a building breeze increasing from a 12 knot nor easterly up to a fresh 20 knots gusting 23 by 1545hrs most of the fleet completely the race in great time.
In Division 1, Adrian Walters got the gun for the Chaos Cup on Little Nico followed by Khaleesi (Sandy Farquharson) in second place and Advanced Philosophy (Peter Sorensen) in third.
John Crawford came in first place on Innamincka in Division 2 to share the Chaos Cup followed by Contentious (Brian Lees) coming in second and Renaissance (Gary Carless) in third place.
In the Non-Spinnaker Division Sebastian Hultin came in first to win the Bedlam Point Cup on Stella Polaris with Pindimara (Mark McLean)in second place and Elysium (John de Meur)third.
Incorporating the Beneteau Cup Series, the Chaos Cup was the last race of the series with Neil Padden taking out first place in race 3 on Wailea followed by Knot a Diamond (Graham Rasspass) in second and Freedom (Steve Smith). With competition tight for the series Neil Padden won on countback on Wailea on three points equal with Freedom (Steve Smith).
Many thanks to our regular volunteers, Toby, Brad, Phil, Rob and Sue, on the race management team for venturing down to lay the Abbotsford mark and take rounding times for the day.
Also, a big thank you to Marg -Fraser Martin for capturing a bird's eye view of the excitement from a top of Gladesville bridge.
Bushranger - back for another tilt at the SSORC - Andrea Francolini pic
Billed as the ‘must’ do’ regatta to boost sailing skillsets ahead of the summer season of major yachting events, the 2022 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC) is gathering momentum following the opening of entries in late September.
Among the names added to the start list for Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s (MHYC) 45th running of the annual event to be held from 26-27 November, are Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club yachts: Gerry Hatton’s Bushranger, Ray Hudson’s XS Moment and Mark Tinworth and Mark Waterhouse’s Mercury.
Hatton’s M.A.T. 1245, Bushranger, finished third overall in Division 2 at the Australian Yachting Championships (AYC) in August. He attributes much of his success to “sailing with family. My son-in-law Michael (Fountain) skippers Bushranger and my son Andrew does the main,” he said. “We all work well together.”
The elder statesman remains ever competitive and derives much pleasure from sailing against and beating his MHYC rivals, who like to return the favour when they sail at home and at RPAYC events.
“Yes, we are competitive, but we’re friends ashore. Bob (Cox with Nine Dragons) just beat us last year, but we got him back at the Pittwater Regatta (in February). We know there are a lot of others who can win, but we are coming to the regatta to win too,” he said laughing.
Andrew Forbes’ has also entered Georgia Express and will no doubt provide Foreign Affair with especially good competition. The former is a Farr 36, the latter a Farr 30 and both are extremely competitive yachts from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA).
Matt Wilkinson’s Foreign Affair returns as the defending champion of Division 2 from last year’s SSORC, however, there are a number of others prepared to take the pair on, so it is by no means a lay down misère.
Seven Islands Race for mixed keelboats - Andrea Francolini pic
To be held over the weekend of 26 and 27 November, Saturday’s passage race will be held in conjunction with the CYCA Ocean Pointscore (OPS). Three offshore windward/leeward races will round out the weekend on Sunday.
For those yet to enter, the good news is the Close of Standard Entries deadline has been extended to midnight on 23 November. And further good news is that existing entrants in either the MHYC or CYCA Ocean Pointscore Series are exempt from paying a fee but must still go online and enter.
Seven Islands Race on Sydney Harbour
In addition to the SSORC, the Club will again host the Seven Islands Race for the mixed keelboat fleet on the Saturday of the SSORC. Starting off MHYC, pursuit style, first to the finish post back at the Club claims the trophy. Attracting an eclectic mix of yachts, it’s anyone’s to win.
All information on the SSORC, including Notice of Race and entry: www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au
MHYC boats occupied the Division 2 podium last Saturday when the MHYC Inshore Series was held in conjunction with the Sydney Harbour Combined Clubs Inshore Series.
No Friends (Geoff Charters), Wailea (Neil Padden) and Rumba (Robert Carr) were 1st, 2nd & 3rd consecutively in Division 2 on PHS while Stormaway (Jack Stening & Colin Gunn) and Wailea were 1st and 2nd on both IRC and ORC Club. Dania (Peter Charteris) finished 2nd and Innamincka (John Crawford) was 4th in Division 3 PHS. Altogether a very successful day out for Middle Harbour crews.
To view the Combined Clubs Inshore Series Results – click here
To view the MHYC Inshore Series Results – click here
To view the MHYC Adams 10 Combined Clubs Series Results – click here
Thanks to Marg Fraser-Martin for the great action photos...
Jessica Watson made a cameo appearance on Saturday for the inshore race on November 5 aboard David Ross's Cape 31, Kukukerchu.
Jessica (OAM) navigated some of the world’s most remote oceans and survived seven knockdowns and 210 days alone at sea to become the youngest person to sail solo, nonstop around the world, aged 16. What an inspiration!
The inshore fleet of MHYC boats enjoyed a sunny day on the harbour with 8-12 knot east nor easterly breeze taking them on a course 12.
David Ross took out first place in the IRC on Kukukerchu with a second place in PHS with Rob Carr coming first in PHS and second in IRC on Rumba in Division 12.
In Division 3 Marc Tromp came in first place on Waterborne Again followed by Dania (Peter Charteris) in second place and Innamincka (John Crawford) in third.
In the Adams 10 fleet Jim Vaughan had a successful day on Another Dilemma coming first in both One Design and PHS results with Artemis taking second place on
One Design and third in the PHS. Brian Lees came third in One Design on Contentious.
putsthefootdowntostayahead-AndreaFrancolini,MHYCpic.jpg)
Andy Forbes Georgia Express got the gun in Division 1 of the fun Seven Islands Race. “We won,” said a pleased Forbes.
