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Glorious sailing for the Chaos and Bedlam Point Cup

    

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.

For more photos by Marg click here.

For full resuts click here

      

       

Read more: Glorious sailing for the Chaos and Bedlam Point Cup

Combined Clubs Inshore Racing on December 17

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...

Read more: Combined Clubs Inshore Racing on December 17

Jessica Watson visits MHYC Inshore Race

 

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.

For full results click here

 

 

 

Read more: Jessica Watson visits MHYC Inshore Race

Nautilus Marine Insurance SSORC: Nine Dragons and Stormaway take the spoils 

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/ 

All information on SSORC, including full results at: www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au 

Di Pearson/MHYC media

Read more: Nautilus Marine Insurance SSORC: Nine Dragons and Stormaway take the spoils 

MHYC Introduces 30 Women to Sailing at Try Sailing Day

On Sunday 6 November, MHYC hosted its Women’s Try Sailing Day.

With clear blue skies, crystal blue waters and a gentle light breeze, it was a fantastic day to introduce 30 keen women to sailing and MHYC.

Originally planned as part of the World Sailing Steering the Course Global Women’s Sailing Festival in early October, the date was changed due to adverse weather conditions on the original date.

The event was supported by MHYC members who offered a few hours of their Sunday to give the participants a taste of what it’s like to get out on the water. A big thanks to the

owners and crew of Artemis, Escape, Hunter Horizon, Khaleesi, L2, Let Loose, Rumba, Shibumi, and Stella Polaris for providing their yacht and time to make the Try Sailing day a success.

Lunch at the club and a presentation by Tracy Richardson, skipper of Artemis, and some of her crew concluded the day, providing inspiration and guidance about how to get involved in sailing.

Sinead sailed on L2 with Jill and John, joined by fellow participants Katie and Simone. “The panel discussion was excellent for sharing stories and learning from other women’s experiences.

I would love to see more learning and sharing between members of the club.

“Jill and John were exceptional coaches on the water; I had a great time and would like to thank them for their generosity to take us out for the day. There’s something magical about the shared experience of being out on the water, and the connections you make with fellow sailors.”

Peitra also had a great time at the event. “The day was fantastic - Tracy and Danielle were incredibly patient with a bunch of beginners and novices on board. I loved the experience and will

definitely be back!”

We look forward to welcoming the participants back to the club in the future to join our growing contingent of female sailors.

  

Read more: MHYC Introduces 30 Women to Sailing at Try Sailing Day

Nautilus Marine Insurance SSORC: Strike 1 to Hodgkinson and Sorensen

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.

All information, including full results at: www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au  

 

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. 

Full results: click here

Di Pearson/MHYC media
Photos by Andrea Francolini

 

Read more: Nautilus Marine Insurance SSORC: Strike 1 to Hodgkinson and Sorensen

A sunny day for the Giant Steps Charity Regatta

 

Exciting conditions for the Giant Steps Charity Regatta at MHYC on Friday with the sun shining and a gusty 18-23 knot westerly breeze.

The club was filled with 80 corporate participants for a fabulous days racing on Sydney Harbour taking in the sites of the Opera House and harbour bridge. This event is not possible without the generous donation of boats from MHYC skippers and their crew. Their support is greatly appreciated by the event organisers with money raised supporting children and young adults with Autism.

There were smiles all round as crews headed back to the club for a gourmet BBQ and presentation.

The results were close with the first seven boats finishing within four minutes of each other. Blue Tack came in first on the day skippered by Brent Lawson and supported by employees of VSL Australia. Only fourteen seconds later Cava came in second place with a team from Brown Wright Stein closely followed by team Kellor-Intrafor Joint Venture on Zen.

Many thanks to Marg Fraser-Martin for the fabulous photographs. For more photos click here.

For more information about Giant Steps and Autism, including how to donate to this worthy cause click here.

For full results click here

    

Read more: A sunny day for the Giant Steps Charity Regatta

Seven Islands Race - 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. 

Full results: click here

 

Di Pearson/MHYC media


Photos by Andrea Francolini

Photos by Marg Fraser-Martin

 

Read more: Seven Islands Race - 21st Birthday Gift on Renaissance

2022 Windsurfer Class Worlds in Mondello Sicily

380 young and old competitors at the 2022 Windsurfer Class Worlds in Mondello Sicily including MHYC sailor David West

Many Middle Harbour sailors will have great memories of windsurfing in the late 70’s and 80’s, hanging ten on a mild zephyr and ‘doing it standing up’. Last week over 380 competitors from 24 countries, including 35 Australians, many Olympians, past world champions, wave sailing legends and one MHYC member, David West, rekindled that spirit in the 2022 Windsurfer Class World Championships. READ MORE

Held in the clear, turquoise waters of Mondello in Sicily, surrounded by tall volcanic rock formations, competition was a spectacle of colour held in 4 disciplines: course racing, slalom, freestyle and a long distance marathon.

Italian race management and competitor aspirations were tested to the max in conditions that, whilst warm and picturesque, rarely exceeded 6 knots.

Since an update to the classic old windsurfer to the lighter but same shaped Windsurfer LT, the class has enjoyed a phenomenal resurgence globally with sailors of all ages. Very encouraging in Mondello was the number of young sailors in the under 15 and under 19 youth classes and over 70 women competing. The biggest age classes however were the 50-59 and 60 to 69 years groups that, despite their age, are still achieving great results and reliving long standing rivalries.

 

Racing was very competitive across all divisions but embraced the ‘windsurfer spirit’ both on and off the water. Many new memories and friendships were made, especially amongst the Australian team who supported and celebrated with each other during the week long competition with beer, great Italian food and legendary stories.

Best of the Australians were: Michael Lancey 2nd overall in medium heavy division, Rohan Cudmore 4th medium heavy division , Tim Gourlay 4th in lightweights. Local sailors Mat and Paul Ivshenko, Stuart Gilbert, Kevin Wadham, Scotty O’Connor, Mark Paul, Rob Stenta, Martin French and Simon Jones all finished in the top half of their divisions most in the top 20. MHYC’s David West finished a creditable 20th in his division given his broken thumb in the Gold Coast Race just prior to the event.

 

The next Worlds are to be held in Perth 27 December 2023-3 Jan 2024 so there’s plenty of time for more MHYC members to brush up on the old boardsailing skills and re-live the Windsurfer spirit in WA at the end of next year.

Full Results Here

   

Read more: 2022 Windsurfer Class Worlds in Mondello Sicily

Entries ramp up for Nautilus Marine Insurance SSORC

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 

 

Di Pearson / MHYC media

 

Read more: Entries ramp up for Nautilus Marine Insurance SSORC

Officials Courses with discounts for Women

Australian Sailing has announced some Officials Courses along with discounts for Women and Girls

Upcoming Officials Courses
State/National Race Officer Course, 5th – 6th November at the CYCA - Register Here
IRC/ORC Measurer Training Seminar, 22nd-23rd October at Lake Mac YC – Register Here
EOI for Officials Courses not yet scheduled
https://www.sailing.org.au/australian-sailing-courses/
 
Discounts on all Courses for Women and Girls
Australian Sailing have a grant from the Office of Sport Her Sport Her Way Program which we are using to give a 50% discount on all instructor, coach and official courses for women and girls until 31 December 2023.
If you want to learn to be any of these….

  • Assistant instructor (dinghy or windsurfing)
  • Instructor (dinghy, keelboat, windsurfing, powerboat)
  • Sailing coach
  • Foil-lab coach
  • Official (race officer, judge, measurer, umpire) 

….find a course here - https://www.sailing.org.au/australian-sailing-courses/ and use the discount code HERSPORT50

The code can be used for more than one course, so if people want to gain more than one qualification – go for it!

Read more: Officials Courses with discounts for Women

More Articles ...

  1. MHYC sailors at NSW Youth Championships
  2. Saturday Sprints Action on the Sound
  3. Sydney Harbour Women’s Keelboat Series underway
  4. Entry opens for Nautilus Marine Insurance 2022 Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship