Saturday 8 March is International Women’s Day, celebrating all manner of achievements by women from all walks of life who are making waves around the world – and here at the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, hosted by Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC), we pay tribute to the many women involved this weekend.

In the J/70 class there are three high-profile sailors competing. Aboard Stephen Ellis’ Jouet and racing for the first time at this regatta, is a Chinese double Olympic medallist. Xu ‘Lily’ Lijia, who won Bronze in the Laser Radial at the 2008 Beijing Games and backed up to win Gold in the class at the 2012 London Games, where she was appointed flag bearer for China at the Closing Ceremony.

The Shanghai sailor was subsequently named 2012 Rolex ISAF World Sailor of the Year. She faced hurdles on the road to success, born nearly deaf in one ear and nearly blind in one eye. Attending a sports school in Shanghai at 10, she was chosen by a coach for the sailing squad and a year later, won the 1998 Chinese National Championship.

In 1999 at 12, Lily escaped death in a sudden storm while training with team mates on the open sea off Fujian Province. Then, leading into the 2004 Athens Games, following a physical examination, a giant-cell tumour of bone was found near her left knee, so Lily sacrificed the Games, as doctors warned the tumor could spread quickly and result in amputation of her leg.

Xu Lijia is a global role model and since retiring from Olympic competition, she has become a sports journalist and is one of three sailing lives explored in the yet to be released movie, ‘Storm School’, as she continues the sailing journey here in Australia.

“Lily is sussing out options to potentially spend the European winter in Sydney, Australia, while also gaining experience sailing a range of different yachts. She’s enjoying the J/70, racing at this regatta,” says Karyn Gojnich, who is also at the regatta as co-owner of the J/70, Jabiru.

Gojnich continues, “The J/70 is a great class for a diverse range of sailors - old, young, male and female. It’s like a big dinghy and the loads in the mainsheet and spinnaker sheets are manageable. As a one design class there is great racing and the boat lights up downwind in anything over 12-14 knots.

“A number of Australian teams are heading to Lake Garda in late June for the inaugural J/70 Mixed Plus World Championship. Mixed Plus is defined as ‘a crew shall consist of four or more persons and contain no more than two males over 18 years of age’.”

“The Rule was introduced to encourage more participation for women in sailing, and this is still an overall goal of the J/70 and I’m planning on going,” Gojnich says.

The treble Olympian says, “Three RSYS mothers of children in the Club’s Youth sailing program now share ownership of Jabiru with me. For the Sydney Harbour Regatta, mum and Jabiru co- owner, Natasha Miller is on board. There is also Alice Kidd who recently moved to Sydney and is looking to continue her love of sailing. Will Thomas, a RSYS intermediate member and my daughter’s fiancé is with us too.

“I’m trying to provide opportunities for females in particular, to learn more, grow their skills and meet other like-minded sailors. This is certainly the main aim connected with our Ladies of the Sea Coaching Regatta over the October Long Weekend,” Gojnich said.

Kim Ketelbey, who was on Roger Hickman’s winning 2014 Sydney Hobart Wild Rose crew is the owner skipper of J/70, Anemology. She has been doing twilight racing with women from the Squadron and other racing on her boat.

Japanese sailor, Arisa Moriya, came to Australia alone in October 2023, “Because there are more opportunities to sail and race offshore here,”  she said. “When I first arrived, I didn’t know anyone, but I showed up at yacht clubs every day and kept sailing.

“Over time, many people have supported my goal and I’ve met so many great sailors whom I deeply respect and I am working hard to improve my skills in high performance sailing. Ultimately, I want to become a world-class navigator and sailor,” Moriya states.

Moriya, who found a job at North Sails, is self-motivated and it’s paying dividends. She is racing regularly on Master Lock Comanche with Matt Allen and will be sailing on Robert Kelly’s Virago at Sailfest in Newcastle later this month.

Moriya has also raced on Lisa Callaghan’s Mondo. At the Sydney Harbour Regatta she is aboard Keiran Mulcahy’s competitive King 40, Soozal, in the Open IRC fleet.

“Thankfully, Mitch White (a MHYC member) put me on Soozal. I want to do my best this weekend,” ended Moriya, who turns 29 in mid-March.

Gojnich is familiar with Moriya: “I am a mentor with the Magenta Project (set up by four high-profile international women sailors it supports and help women get to the elite level) and that’s how I met Arisa. She’s wonderful. She’s prepared to do anything on a boat, just to be out racing. She’s quiet but determined.”

Sue Crafer, another well-credentialled yachtie who is sailing with Moriya on Soozal, agrees: “She’ll do anything, from packing spinnakers, you name it, she’ll do it – and she does her jobs quietly – no fuss.”

Veteran of 32 Hobarts, inclusive of two race records, six line honours and two overall wins, Adrienne Cahalan is navigating Wild Oats X,  while Alice Parker, another navigator making a name for herself, is on the Super 50s leader, Matador. Parker navigated URM Group to second overall in the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart.

Katie Spithill, a former match racing champion, Olympic campaigner and allrounder, is one of the helms on Hooligan, Mara Stranksy, the Laser Radial Australian 2020 Olympian from Queensland is sailing on a Melges 32, Crazy Diamond, current leader of Open Division 2.

On Daguet 2 in the Open class, you will find veteran yachtswoman, Bridget Canham, Margot Van der Poel and Claire Woods.

In the Performance class divisions, Julie Clarke is here with her Dufour 40e, Arcturus 3, Julie Ford is at the helm of Akiki, Ruth Lawrence is sailing her modified S80, Alcamy and Felicity Nelson, a veteran of 28 Sydney Hobarts, is sailing the Farr 1020, Sequel, that she co-owns.

“I sail three times a week out of Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron. The Sydney Harbour Regatta is in our pointscore and we enjoy it. I am the only female helm across Divisions 1, 2 and 3 in our pointscore and that surprises me,” Clarke says.

Clarke, who sails with an all-female crew on Tuesdays, says, “My husband (Terry) and I have had several boats over 25 years. I’m well into my 70s now and I still love it. Karyn (Gojnich) is very good in bringing women into sailing later in life through Ladies of the Sea at our Club.

“I’m lucky to have a husband who is also passionate about sailing and he is among our eight crew this weekend that also includes three women.”   

There are many other women boat owners and sailors spread through the fleet, just as there are in regatta management ashore and on the water, many of them regular volunteers. We celebrate you all.

All information and photos from the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, including full results, can be found at: https://www.shr.mhyc.com.au

Images by Andrea Francolini

Di Pearson/MHYC media

It was light on for breeze, shifty and late to start because of those things at the Nautilus Marine Sydney Harbour Regatta opener and while the breeze remained relatively light, it was a spectacular summer-like day on the first weekend of autumn, with all competitors enjoying their Harbour and offshore racing experience.

Far East 28R One Design Australian Championship

Well-named Firecracker, Scott Lawson’s defending champion, put the opposition on notice, jumping smartly out of the start gate to win all three windward/leeward races on Sydney Harbour. Just 17 seconds separated first from second placed Wildling 3 (Conrad Johnston and Steve Byrne) in Race 1 and so it went again between the two in Races 2 and 3.

A change in conditions tomorrow may prove the tipping point for the Wildling 3 crew and the rest. We’ll see. 

Open Class divisions

Three windward/leeward races were held on The Sound, just inside Sydney Heads. A light and shifty breeze of 5-8 knots put the two divisions through their paces. Both are hotly contested and new players aside, the rest have won trophies at various major regattas and races. It was good to see the Oatley family’s RP66, Wild Oats X, out racing in Division 1, but it was a small boat race today.

Best in Division 1 was Brent Lawson’s Bluetack, her 1-3-7 results giving the Farr 40  a one-point advantage from defending champion and recent Pittwater Regatta winner, Ross Hennessy’s Kerr 40 MK3, Condor. Not to be outdone was another perennial winner, Bob Cox with Nine Dragons. The DK46 is three points off the lead and Cox is notorious for coming from behind to win. Tomorrow will decide it. 

As the individual race results reflect, the finishes were very close when the handicaps were applied.

Division 2 and John Bacon’s recent Melges 32 purchase of Crazy Diamond (the ex Cockwomble from Hobart), revelled in the light offshore breeze. Two wins and a second give Bacon a handy three point lead going into the final day tomorrow.

Bacon’s fellow RPAYC member, Peter Farrugia is in second with his Bull 9000, Bullwinkle, while Matt Wilkinson’s Farr 30, Foreign Affair, is on equal points with Bullwinkle but relegated to third place on countback.

Crazy Diamond cleared out in the opener, but Bullwinkle’s crew did not let her off the hook easily in the second race, just 13 seconds separated them. Race 3 was also close, with Foreign Affair overcoming Bacon’s boat by 21 seconds.

“Conditions were very well suited to a Melges 32. It was John’s first event with this boat,” said Darren ‘Twirler’ Jones, who is aboard the boat. “We got it to Sydney on Tuesday, put it together at Pittwater and bought it down to Middle Harbour for the regatta.”

Jones continued, we bought Will Sargent up from Hobart – Will and I sailed on this boat before. We have Mara Stransky (2020 Olympian in the Laser Radial) as our strategist. Also Some of John’s long time crew are on board too. 

VX-One One design

Well-known Sydney sailor and yachtsman Warwick Rooklyn steered Bolt to 2-1-1 results on windward/leeward courses to lead the VX-One One Design class at the Sydney Harbour Regatta by three points from V Wagon, Chris Dawson and Steve Bryant’s reining national champion. Jervis Tilley’s AUS 353 is in third, tailing the leader by six points.

“The first race we were leading – we were stupid and finished second to V Wagon - but  we won the next two,” said Rooklyn. The former skiff and Melges 24 champion’s ocean racing career famously includes skippering Apollo to second on line behind his father, Jack’s, Ballyhoo in the 1976 Sydney Hobart.

Rooklyn said, “We got the boat this season and did the States, then the Pittwater Regatta and the Nationals. It’s all a learning curve sailing the VX. I’ve got a young crew out of the 470s and we had Darren Nicholson aboard today too.

“They’re a fun boat,” Rooklyn continued, “They’re like a big 29er, the way they are laid out. They’re reasonably priced and Mackays in New Zealand  do a good job of building them. At the Nationals we had the boat sailing at 23 knots.”

Super 50s

David Doherty’s Matador is proving again to be too good for the rest. Matador, with trophies from the TP52 circuit and other races, including a short offshore race, cleaned up in both Super 50s races today – under IRC and TP.

Sailing on offshore windward/leeward courses that started and finished on Sydney Harbour, not even Marcus Blackmore’s Hooligan could come close. The fleet is made up of eight boats – seven TP52s and one RP52, Virago, which doesn’t fit into the TP52s TP rating category, hence the two different scoring systems.

Under IRC, Hooligan was second in Race 1 with Peter White sailing his latest First Light (Geoff Boettcher’s ex Secret Mens Business) to third. Race 2 was the beautifully prepared and sailed Matador again, with Hooligan second and Mark Spring’s Highly Sprung third. Full TP scores for the Pallas Capital Gold Cup Act 1 are available on the Sydney Harbour Regatta website.

“Luck went our way a bit and at stages it went Hooligan’s,” Doherty said. “They (Hooligan) should have won first race, but shift didn’t go their way, it went ours, so we won it. Our crew are really doing a good job. James Corrie does a great job on the boat preparation and the crew make me look good.”

Doherty said offshore it was, “A pretty flat sea with winds up 7 to 8 knots.”

As predicted in our preview, the Don Buckley skippered Yendys came out top of the pile in the Historical 18 foot skiffs. Buckley, a former six-time 18 foot skiff champion with the legendary Iain Murray and Andrew Buckland, has lost none of his pizazz and nor have his crew. Neville Turbit skippered Tangalooma to second and Terry Stewart’s Top Weight was third.

Finally, 98-year-old sailing legend, Gordon Ingate, leads the Classic Yachts Division with Jasnar. Ingate turns 99 later this month and has lost none of his competitiveness – or cheek! More on this division tomorrow evening.

So many other classes sailing at the regatta, impossible to cover all, but full results in all are available at: https://www.shr.mhyc.com.au

Photos by Andrea Francolini

Di Pearson/MHYC media

The Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta is this weekend and Middle Harbour Yacht Club has extended early entry to 25 February and revealed some prizes for the 20^th anniversary edition from 1-2 March in an event where club racers match it with Olympians, America’s Cup and world champion sailors.

Marking the anniversary of NSW’s largest keelboat regatta, the VX-Ones will sail as a One Design class at the regatta for the first time. Five are entered to-date and the standout is recent addition to the fleet, V Wagon, owned by Chris Dawson/Steve Bryant who finished runners-up at the Nationals in January.

Other  contenders are Jervis Tilley’s AUS353 and Warwick Rooklyn’s Bolt, sixth and seventh respectively at the VX-One Nationals.

The Dragons, a former Olympic class, will hold their NSW Championship at this event and all manner of other classes and divisions will be out in force too.

Nautilus Marine Insurance CEO Lyndon Turner is an enthusiastic supporter of the regatta:  

“We are very proud to continue to offer our support to Middle Harbour Yacht Club and the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta,” he says.

“Each year the Nautilus Marine Insurance team and I look forward to this event. Over 180 yachts and crews, across 17 divisions, race all over Sydney Harbour and just offshore. It is a true celebration of sailing when that many sailors, supported by eight Sydney yacht clubs, come together for two days of competition,” Turner ends.

“Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC) is very pleased to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Sydney Harbour Regatta,” the Club’s CEO, Andrew Forbes said.

“The ongoing support from Nautilus Marine Insurance CEO Lyndon Turner and his team has been integral in helping us reach this milestone. The wonderful coincidence of Nautilus Marine Insurance also marking its 20th anniversary in 2025 makes it a double reason to celebrate!”

In this 20^th year, competitors will be eligible to win some fabulous Grand Prizes:

A Supercar Track Day for two at a race on the Supercars Calendar, with two General Admission tickets, along with a money-can’t-buy pit tour and grid walk access, courtesy of the Steadfast Group.

A Manly Spirits ‘Distillery Experience’ for a yacht crew of up to 10 people.

Details of all Grand Prizes will be published in a Notice to Competitors closer to the event.

Regardless of who wins the Grand Prizes, all divisional placegetters will receive a pair of wine glasses and a Zhik voucher.

Entrants in the Performance Class (Spinnaker) divisions will be competing hard for the prizes. They provide large numbers every year, making a spectacular sight on the Harbour with their colourful spinnakers, ahead of their crews enjoying the after-race festivities beachside at the Club.

Airlie Beach yachtie, Mark Beale, is one, returning to sail Rob Reynolds’ local Farr 40 Exile in Division 1. “There will be me and seven of my crew. We all live in Airlie Beach these days, but originally come from other places,” the former NSW resident says.

On why they are coming down for the Sydney Harbour Regatta again, Beale says, “Everyone has a dream to sail a yacht on Sydney Harbour. One of my crew hasn’t done it before and we’ve all been in that position.

“We love the competition and practicing our skills against some of the gun sailors there. We’re just a bunch of hacks though,” Beale is at pains to point out.

Jan ‘Clogs’ Scholten has entered the Stewart 34, Panchax. ‘Clogs’ is well known around the traps. A past Laser Masters world champion, he made history as the first to win the double-handed division of the Sydney Hobart in 2021 with Jules Hall on Hall’s boat, Disko Trooper_Contender Sail Cloth.

“I’m sailing the family boat fully crewed with the co-owner, Stephen Parker. His wife Christine, my daughter Anneliesse, work colleagues Joris Meijboom, Jim Dargaville and Otto Burrows are with us,” Clogs said.

“It’s an iconic regatta and I just want to chill with friends on my own boat. After racing, catching up with other friends on the beach with the tide coming in is great. MHYC deserves recognition. They run a great regatta and they’ve been good to me over the years.

“It’s also an opportunity to leave the Northern Beaches and sail with the city folk on the Harbour,” Scholten finishes.

David O'Loughlin won Division 2 last year with his J/99, Siena, but defending that win is the last thing on his mind: “It’s a well-run regatta and a lot of fun. We’re coming back to have a good time. That’s the important thing – not the result – just the competition. The more people are like that, the better time everyone will have. We’re all looking forward to it.

“Besides that, I love sailing passage races on Sydney Harbour and have done so since I was a young boy,” O’Loughlin added.

Alan Robertson returns to helm Alruth after winning the Historical 18 Footers at the 2024 Sydney Harbour Regatta. Don ‘Admiral’ Buckley, skippering Yendys, is the quiet achiever who could upset that applecart.

Yendys has won her share of trophies over time, while Buckley is a former six-time 18 foot skiff champion when sailing alongside the legendary Iain Murray and Andrew Buckland. ‘The Hystericals’ as they are known to those who sail them, complement the old classic yachts in the Classic Keelboats division.

Close of entries is 2359hrs on 25 February, so don’t miss out – enter online where you will also find the Notice of Race: https://www.shr.mhyc.com.au

Di Pearson/MHYC media

The man they nicknamed ‘Wingnut’, the indefatigable Gordon Ingate OAM, is returning to race at the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, being staged on the weekend of 1-2 March – just shy of his 99^th birthday.

A regular at the event, Ingate confirmed, “Yes, I’ll be 99 on 29 March, which will put me in my 100^th year.” It is a fitting way to celebrate the event’s  20^th anniversary.”

One of Australia’s most famous sailors, Ingate, was in the winning Australian team at the 1965 Admiral’s Cup with Caprice of Huon, which he also sailed to second overall in the 1972 Sydney Hobart. He skippered a Tempest at the 1972 Olympics and is the oldest living Olympian and skippered Sir Frank Packer’s Gretel II at the 1977 America’s Cup.

He campaigned in the 5.5 Metre and Dragon classes, winning the prestigious Scandinavian Gold Cup and Prince Philip Cup respectively - the latter at the ripe age of 91 in 2018 – his fourth Cup win. The boat was ‘Whimsical’, which he has competed in and scored wins at past Sydney Harbour Regattas.

“And I’m still sailing and still winning races. I got two firsts and a second sailing Jasnar at the CYCA last month and now I’m looking forward to going in the Sydney Harbour Regatta,” says a still debonair Ingate, who has lost none of his zest for life.

The Wally Ward designed Jasnar is Ingate’s entry in the Classic Yachts division of the SHR. Crew are David Giles and his daughter, Amy, who were in Wingnut’s winning Prince Philip Cup crew. Giles is a four-time Star class Olympian with Bronze from Atlanta 1996 and a former America’s Cup sailor. He and Amy have sailed with Ingate for years.

Scott Lawson is ready to fire up Firecracker again and is looking to defending the inaugural FarEast 28R Australian Championship that he won at this regatta last year. Six windward-leeward races over the duration will decide the outcome.

“We’ll get a very strong fleet again and defending is about managing risk,” Lawson explains. “The essence of our success is all the preparation we do. We started a month ago with things like making sure the mast and new sails are tuned.”

Lawson, whose 27-year-old son Harry will come from Perth to join the crew that includes skiff legend, Andrew ‘Dolly’ Divola, said  there are some owners new to the class. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm among them too, so we’re expecting a tight regatta again.

“It’s a very well run regatta - we have our own start – under a Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron team who do a great job. And the regatta brings everyone together for a Championship each year, so it’s very convenient.” 

On Gordon Ingate competing, Lawson said, “He is amazing – an icon of our sport.”

Five boats have already committed in the Super 50s, headed by the incomparable Marcus Blackmore with the latest Hooligan. First Light (Peter White), Highly Sprung (Mark Spring), Frantic (Mick Martin) and Virago (Robert Kelly) are all owners keen to topple the master of this division, but they know it won’t be easy.

Blackmore said, “I won’t be able to sail, but the boat and crew will be there. I told them it’s time they had a couple of women on board. Nina Curtis has been there for a while and now we’ve got Katie Spithill, so I’m thrilled to bits about that. Nina’s in the middle of the boat and Katie’s the alternate steerer. Mal Page is calling tactics and Richie Allanson’s on the main.

“We’ve done a bit of work to the boat, taken weight out of the bulb and put it inside the boat. We’ve done a little bit of work on the sails with Alby Pratt, who’s also on the boat.”

Ross Hennessy conquered the Super 40 class with his Ker 40 Mk3, Condor, at this event last year. On the weekend, he cleaned up at the Pittwater Regatta. Among his rivals there were Revolver (Michael Ritchie) and Little Nico (Adrian Walters/David Hamilton), who will be out to retaliate at the Sydney Harbour Regatta where Condor is also expected.

In the race to enter the Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC) hosted Sydney Harbour Regatta Open Class, Khaleesi (Sandy Farquharson), Toybox 2 (Ian Box), Bullwinkle (Peter Farrugia) and Wailea (Neil Padden), were in earliest.

And it was MHYC’s Toybox 2 that did best in the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s ORC NSW Championship at Pittwater on the weekend, with Box taking the opening race and finishing second overall in Division 1. He is primed for the second round.

Bullwinkle placed third in Division 2, so he too is ready to race. Khaleesi and Wailea also made the trek from MHYC to Pittwater and no doubt both are looking forward to bettering their results on home turf.

The Dragons, a former Olympic class, will hold their NSW Championship at this event and all  other classes and divisions will be out in force too, including a wide variety of boats in the Performance Spinnaker divisions that light the Harbour up each year.

While MHYC is the Organising Authority of the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, it could not be held without the assistance of the following clubs and their volunteers:

Cruising Yacht Club Australia (CYCA); Manly Yacht Club (MYC); Royal Australian Navy Sailing Association (RANSA); Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC); Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club (RPEYC); Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (RSYS); Sydney Amateur Sailing Club (SASC) and Sydney Flying Squadron (SFS).

There is a class for everyone, so take advantage of the extended Early Entry fee before 2359hrs on 25 February when entries close.

For the Notice of Race and to enter, please visit: www.shr.mhyc.com.au

Di Pearson/MHYC media

To be held over the weekend of 1st and 2nd March, 2025, online entry is open and the Notice of Race is online for the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta – so come and help celebrate the event’s 20th anniversary this year!

“Nautilus Marine Insurance has re-committed as Naming Rights Sponsor for the regatta and Zhik has signed as a major supporting sponsor again,” said MHYC Special Events Chair, Ian Box.

“We are looking forward to hosting even more classes and boats this year, with great competition expected across a wide range of classes, overseen again by Principal Race Officer Denis Thompson. And we’re assisted by the same wonderful group of supporting clubs as in the past,” said MHYC Commodore, Rob Aldis. 

Aldis is also a regular competitor in the second largest keelboat regatta in Australia. Last year he placed third with Khaleesi, a DK46 after winning the opening race. 

It’s a spectacular event for participants and viewers alike, as Sydney Harbour comes alive when it is filled with a multitude of colourful spinnakers, fast racing yachts and some beauties from yesteryear. 

This year the event will incorporate the J/99 and FarEast 28R Australian Championships, for a third and second time, respectively. 

Jules Hall and his Disko Trooper are the J/99 benchmarks, having won the title in 2023 and 2024, while Scott Lawson’s Firecracker won the inaugural FarEast 28R Championship. Both classes are scheduled to sail six windward-leeward races over the two days. 

For the first time, VX One’s are expected to be represented as a One Design fleet, joining the J/24, J/70, J/99, Adams 10, Etchells and FarEast 28R fleets.

The Super 50 Group (TP52 and similar) return and will face two races per day with starts and finishes in the Harbour and a windward-leeward course set offshore.

On other courses, the Open Class (Divisions 1 and 2) and a variety of high performance 30 and 40 footers, will race three inshore windward-leeward races per day, most likely in The Sound.

Meanwhile, the Super 30 and Super 40 groups will sail a mix of windward/leeward and passage races inshore in the northern part of Sydney Harbour. This varied format will reward the best all-round boats.

And once again, yachts of all sizes, shapes and designs will contest three Performance Spinnaker Division races  alongside those in the Performance Non-Spinnaker Division and the eye catching Classic Yachts division.

Just as striking are the Historic 18 Footers, which will again race on the Saturday as part of the 2025 Sydney Harbour Regatta.

“There is a class and division for everyone, so don’t miss a wonderful weekend of autumn racing. We are expecting 190 plus boats this year,” Commodore Aldis said. “And there are some great prizes on offer, but more on those later…”

While Middle Harbour Yacht Club is the Organising Authority of the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, it could not be held without the assistance of the following clubs and their skilled volunteers. 

Cruising Yacht Club Australia (CYCA); Manly Yacht Club (MYC); Royal Australian Navy Sailing Association (RANSA); Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC); Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club (RPEYC); Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (RSYS); Sydney Amateur Sailing Club (SASC) and Sydney Flying Squadron (SFS).

All entries close at 2359hrs on Tuesday 25 February, 2025. After that date and time, any additional entry shall be made in writing and may only be accepted at the discretion of the Organising Authority. 

For the Notice of Race and to enter, please visit www.shr.mhyc.com.au 

Di Pearson/MHYC media

The Nautilus Marine Insurance 2025 Sydney Harbour Regatta Notice of Race has now been published and entries are invited for the 20th edition this prestigious regatta.

The 2025 Regatta is similar in format to previous years with the same wonderful group of supporting clubs and great competition across a diverse range of classes. 

To read or download the Notice of Race - click here

Bow Caddy Media were on the water capturing all the Day Two action in the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta.

View the video - click here

Bow Caddy Media were on the water capturing all the Day Two action in the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta.

View the video - click here

Today’s weather was a turnaround from yesterday’s wet blowy day at the 2024 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, a glorious north-north/easterly wind on a sunny hot day made a difference to many results of yesterday – but not all.

Competitors have had a fabulous weekend in the Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s (MHYC) annual regatta and at the time of writing were back at the Club recalling the last two days with mates over a couple of drinks. Many chose the beach in front of the Club to relax, as it is a beautiful late afternoon.

Firecracker first Fareast 28R One-Design Australian Champion

Scott Lawson fired up his Firecracker crew to win the opening and final races, adding a couple of second places in between on the six windward/leeward courses to win the Championship. Peter Higgin’s Sparrow, which scored a pair of wins and a second today, gazumped Conrad Johnston’s Wildling 3 for second place. Johnston settled for third.

Lawson said, “We had a lovely final race. We had a horror start, tacked to port ducking all others, tacked onto a massive right hand shift and took about a minute and a half out of the fleet within 5 to 10 minutes.

“I think God waved his magic wand over us in that race.”

“It’s fabulous to win the first Nationals in the class and be the Australian Champion. I want to thank Middle Harbour Yacht Club, its race management committee and the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron crew who looked after our course, they did a great job.”

J/99 One-Design Australian Championship goes to Disko Trooper_Contender Sailcloth

Defending champion, Disko Trooper_Contender Sail Cloth (Jules Hall), ended the day in front, but Ian Smith (Jupiter) did not make it easy for Hall by any means in their six windward/leeward races. Counting three wins in his score, Smith’s crew finished four points behind Hall’s.

“It’s been a fabulous regatta,” Hall said. “The class has come on in leaps and bounds since last year. It was very close racing. We were delighted to win, but huge congratulations to everyone in the class.

“Yesterday we had a 29 knot gust and today we found a hole in the course. It’s been aa true test of abilities. I have to say the camaraderie and atmosphere in our fleet is fantastic – and that’s the best part of the class.”  

Challenge the new Sydney 38 One-Design NSW Champion

Greg Croak and his Challenge crew from Lake Macquarie have gone where no others have before – they cracked the Conspiracy’s winning streak to take out their first Sydney 38 One-Design NSW Championship. 

Croak and crew were at the top of their game throughout, their scorecard reading 1-2-1-1-3 to Conspiracy’s 2-1-2-6-5 after sailing six after the six windward/leeward races. Defending champions David Hudson and Peter Byford stumbled today, a rarity for them – and it proved costly as there are no drops.

Croak was over the moon: “We came close before but couldn’t quite put it together. Words can’t describe how we feel. We’re very excited and happy for the whole crew, family and friends from the Lake, which makes it doubly special. They put in so much,” he said.

“Conspiracy’s crew is very happy for or us, they came and congratulated us.”

Serial winner, Conspiracy, won the last two titles in a row, but improving competitors came to this Championship determined to overcome her. 

Adams 10 win to Artemis

There was no beating Tracy Richardson’s Artemis. The Sydney yachtswomen and her crew were ‘on fire’ as sailors say, winning four out of six windward/leeward races. Artemis’ nearest rival, Geoffrey Charters’ No Friends, finished five points adrift and counted a win its tally.

“We had a great day. We’re exhausted though. Yesterday was even better than today, we won all three races. That’s the beauty of one-design racing - you win some you lose some.

“We picked good lanes yesterday and executed manoeuvres well in wild conditions. We had difficulty finding the top marks. It pays to read the Sailing Instructions. Today was closer. A lot of fun. Our crew was incredible,” Richardson said.

Open Class

A trio of DK46’s went at it hammer and tong in Division 1. Yesterday Khaleesi (Rob Aldis/Sandy Farquharson) came out on top and was two points ahead of Nine Dragons (Bob Cox) and a further point ahead of LCE Old School Racing (Mark Griffith). Today, the order changed, with Cox taking the trophy from Griffith, Aldis and Farquharson were third.

Division 2 went to Garry Holt’s Let’s Get It On from Queensland. Holt’s always well sailed Corby 36 won five out of six races. This comes on the back of his recent Division 2 victory at RPAYC’s ORC Championship on Pittwater.

Performance Spinnaker

The Performance Class divisions undertook four Harbour passage races over the two days. John Amos’ Chainsaw was out on top in Division 1.

“The organisation is excellent at this regatta and we’ve had two fantastic days of racing,” Amos declared.

In Division 2, David O’Loughlin drove Siena to a win over Gary Carless’ Renaissance.

“I’m a huge fan of Middle Harbour Yacht Club and the other clubs that give their time for this massive undertaking. I’ve been involved in race management so completely understand how hard it is,” O’Loughlin said.

“We had an awesome day yesterday and today was great too. We had tactical and competitive racing today. The Harbour was very tricky. Teamwork skills were needed. My kids Sophie (22) and Jack (19) sailed with me. It’s great to sail with your kids.”

Division 3 went to Martyn Colebrook with Slac-N-Off from Dean Dransfield’s Escape.

So many divisions to cover, so in short, Ross Hennessy conquered the Super 40 class with his Ker 40 Mk3, Condor, with David Ross’ Kukukerchu second. Michael Nash and Maybe-J won the J/70 competition from Kary Gojnich’s Jabiru and John Crawford’s Innamincka won the J/24s. 

Gordon Ketelbey from the host club won the Super 50 division with Zen. Accolades to Ketelbey from the host club, he is a great supporter of races and regattas on the eastern seaboard. 

Organisers at Middle Harbour Yacht Club are thankful to the clubs that continue to support the running of the Regatta: 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, the Sydney Flying Squadron.

“The Club is eternally grateful for the numerous skilled and committed volunteers who help each year. We couldn’t do it without them,” MHYC Commodore, Rob Aldis commented. 

“Finally, we thank the over 1000 sailors who’ve come from all over NSW and interstate to take part and hope everyone enjoyed themselves,” the Commodore ended.

Full results and all information: https://www.shr.mhyc.com.au

Di Pearson/MHYC media

Halfway through the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC) is celebrating International Women’s Day early (it is on Friday 8 March), saluting women at the event, sailing, working in the on and off water race management teams and filling other roles at NSW’s largest keelboat regatta.

Marg Fraser-Martin is a volunteer photographer that plies her trade at this event and others in NSW. As a female sailing photographer, she is a rarity, as the gear is heavy and good balance is necessary, as sailing photographers work from small media boats and seas can be rough and wavy.

“You need to anticipate what the various boats are going to do,” Fraser-Martin shares.

At the Regatta there are close to 200 boats racing on seven course areas spread the length of the Harbour. Photographers need to be versatile and quick thinking.

Fraser-Martin is a microbiologist who has enjoyed other management careers around the world. When her husband became ill, they moved to Sydney where she took a photography class - and discovered sailing at Manly Yacht Club (MYC).

MHYC’s Sailing Administrator, Catherine Rofe, tipped Fraser-Martin into sailing photography: “Cath used to work at MYC and said they needed a photographer for a regatta, was I available? I thought ‘why not give it a go?’ It’s a good way to meet people and I love the atmosphere of the sport. It’s a passion with me.”

“It’s a hard gig, but I like a sport with people who are juggling everything in their lives so are just out there for the joy of sailing.”

Jenni Birdsall lives in Queensland. She travels to sailing events on the east coast of Australia, fulfilling many roles in on and off the water race management.

Birdsall has the respect of all her colleagues – most of them males. This weekend she is on Echo course helping out with start/finish duties. She was recently appointed Race Director for Airlie Beach Race Week (ABRW) in Queensland, the first woman to fill this role at this major event.

During COVID, the usual Principal Race Officer (PRO), Denis Thompson, could not travel from NSW to Airlie Beach, so he entrusted her with the role and is a vocal supporter of her abilities.

“I started at Georges River Sailing Club. I took my kids to sailing lessons, but I’m not the sort to sit around doing nothing, so I ended up helping on the start boat. Down the track I became Vice Commodore of the Club,” Birdsall recalls.

She was national president of the Cherub Association for 12 years and continues to volunteer for a variety of events, including at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Festival of Sails Geelong, SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week and the Women’s Regatta at Townsville where she is the PRO.

MHYC Sailing Manager, David Staley says, ”Middle Harbour Yacht Club continues to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in our sport.

“Women, both professionals and volunteers, are the strength behind race management and administration - not just at Middle Harbour but at many clubs.  As sailing increases the number of women in leadership positions, the sport  becomes more inclusive and welcoming, making it more enjoyable for everyone.

“Women are prominent in racing too. MHYC’s 2023 Yachtswoman of the Year, Katie O’Mara, is sailing on Khaleesi, current leader of Open Division 1. She has a key role on our Club’s Sailing Committee too, encouraging more women to participate and is leading innovation for MHYC’s Women’s Regatta on 11 May,” Staley says. 

Lisa Callaghan is the only female owner/skipper taking part in the Sydney 38 One-Design NSW Championship at the regatta. She co-owns Mondo with Stephen Teudt and in December placed 25^th in the Rolex Sydney Hobart. A great result for a little boat in a race where big boats ruled. Callaghan is also Sydney 38 Class Association Treasurer and President of Manly Yacht Club.

Tracy Richardson is the owner/skipper of the Adams 10, Artemis. This morning she leads the class by a whopping six points, having won all three of yesterday’s races in a one-design class where all other skippers are male. Richardson is also a board member at MHYC.

Karyn Gojnich owns and races Jabiru, a J/70. Heading into today’s races, she and her crew are in second place. Gojnich is a triple Olympian and the first female with her then skipper, Nicky Bethwaite, to represent Australia in sailing at the Olympics. She is Rear Commodore of Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (RSYS) – also a first.

At the RSYS, she runs the Sea Coaching Regatta and races at many women’s events on the east coast of Australia, bringing a young crew of hopefuls with her.

Jean-Claude ‘JC’ Strong is another shining light for women. She came to sailing as a novice some years ago, picked the most difficult class to sail in – the Etchells – organised some coaching for herself and has not looked back.

If you want to go places in sailing, the Etchells, a male dominated class, is where you go. It’s where you will find the who’s who of sailing: Dennis Conner, Iain Murray, John Bertrand, Colin Beashel, Ken Read are some. And then there’s Strong, the lone female skipper, winning skipper of majors such as the Australasian, Queensland and Victorian Championships.

A doctor and a pilot, Strong is a petite woman who packs a punch in whatever she decides to take on.

There are many other inspiring women and girls in various roles at the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, including on the race course, doing anything from skippering, to navigating, trimming and foredeck. All are enthusiasts doing their bit as we head towards equality in our sport.    

All information on the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta at: https://www.shr.mhyc.com.au

Di Pearson/MHYC media

Despite moody skies and rain showers, the opening day of Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s (MHYC) Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta 2024 was nothing short of exciting as gusting winds to 30 knots hit Sydney Harbour forcing the best out of all yachties and their boats.

It was inevitable, though, that there would be round-ups, Chinese gybes, the odd prang and boats crossing their respective start lines a little ahead of time.

Race 1 starts and reigning champion Jules Hall (Disko Trooper_Contender Sail Cloth) cleared out in the J/99 class, leaving the rest to grapple for the minor placings. Shine On-Team Callendina (Phil Herscovics) got off best of the Sydney 38 start at the pin, Toybox 2 (Ian Box) outclassed her rivals at the Division 1 start of the Open division, while Peter Farrugia’s Bullwinkle won the start in Division 2.   

And while a good start is imperative, it did not always decide the final outcome. 

Fareast 28R One-Design Australian Championship

Scott Lawson fired up his Firecracker crew to win the opening race before firing off two second places on the windward/leeward courses to lead the Championship from Conrad Johnston’s Wildling. The latter opened with a fifth place then won the other two races. Two points separate the top two, so it will be on for young and old tomorrow.

“It was a tremendously trickly day,” Lawson conceded. “The first race was in 20 plus knots, so fast runs were where we made our gains. The next two races were fluky, it was a lottery, you had to pick the right sides of the course the whole time.  

“We were close to Wildling in the second two races. They got to the right side of the course and we didn’t, so we ended up second to them in both. I’ve got great guys like Andrew Divola (‘Dolly’ Divola was a dab 18 foot skiff sailor in the past) with me, which is why we did so well,” Lawson said. “We’re having a great time.”

Lawson ended, “Light winds are forecast tomorrow and that will impact us, as we don’t take the boat out of the water to clean it. We’ll try to power up and see how we go.”

J/99 One-Design Australian Championship

Defending champion, Disko Trooper_Contender Sail Cloth, ended the day in front, but Ian Smith (Jupiter) did not make the day easy for Hall by any means in their three windward/leeward races. The pair are one point apart leading into tomorrow’s final races.

Sydney 38 One-Design NSW Championship

Serial winner, Conspiracy, won the last two titles in a row, but all competitors came to this Championship determined to overcome David Hudson and Peter Byford’s boat. Seems Greg Croak and crew on Challenge from Lake Macquarie were just that bit more determined. They scored two bullets and a second to lead Conspiracy by a solitary point after three windward/leeward races. Watch this space…

Open Class

A trio of DK46’s went at it hammer and tong in Division 1. Khaleesi (Rob Aldis/Sandy Farquharson) came out on top and is two points ahead of Nine Dragons (Bob Cox) and a further point ahead of LCE Old School Racing (Mark Griffith).

“The competition is always tight between the DK46s. The three were never more than four boat lengths apart,” Farquharson commented. “These are good windward/leeward boats, so the result is not surprising. The skill of the crews determines the outcome,” Farquharson said.

Of the conditions, he said, “It was gusty and between 10 and 20 knots, perfect for the DKs, that’s where they live.”

Division 2 went the way of Garry Holt’s Let’s Get It On from Queensland. Holt’s always well sailed Corby 36 won all three races after its recent Division 2 victory at RPAYC’s ORC Championship on Pittwater.

In other results, the Classic Keelboats, a new addition to the regatta as a class, sailed two Harbour passage races and both were won by Annie Lawrence and John Whitfeld’s Solveig.

Solveig was built by Lars Halvorsen Sons in 1950 for Lars’ famous sons, Trygve and Magnus. They took line honours in the 1953 Sydney Hobart for second overall and won the race in 1954. She is among other famous Classics here such as Wraith of Odin and Mister Christian.

The Etchells’ have also joined in the regatta and contested three windward/leeward races on the Harbour. Dawn Raid, skippered by Matty Whitnall won all three. He beat the best in the business – Peter ‘Billy’ Merrington  (First Tracks), which is sitting second. Merrington has won a multitude of titles in the class.

Super 30 and Super 40 classes are the ‘sexy’ boats of the fleet. Fast and sleek with a bit of ‘X’ factor, they were worth watching in today’s brisk breeze.

David Suttie’s Melges 32, Lockdown (bought and named during COVID lockdown) was a force to be reckoned with, winning two races and scoring second in the third, to hold a four point advantage over Peter Woodhead’s same design named XC3SS.

“The last race was very close. We lost it (to XC3SS) by nine seconds. We had a couple of wipeouts, but we got it back. The sailing was very good, with gusting winds to 30 knots,” Suttie shared.

“It was up and down towards the end. Tomorrow is looking much lighter. I think the planning hull boats will be a bit slower and if that’s the case, the other boats will come into their own. But I think we should go OK,” said Suttie, adding, “I have a very good crew who have been sailing forever and are passionate.”

Principal Race Officer, Denis Thomson, declared midway through the afternoon, “I’m pretty happy with how it’s all happening.”

Thompson has a huge orchestra to conduct, with nine clubs looking after seven course areas in Sydney Harbour and offshore.

A diverse field from the Historical 18 Footers and the Classic Keelboats division to the one-design and open fleets to everything in between makes NSW’s largest keelboat regatta the great event it is. 

Racing continues tomorrow from 11am.

Full results and all information: https://www.shr.mhyc.com.au

Di Pearson/MHYC media

Photos by Andrea Francolini...

The largest fleet in years will face starters orders when the 2024 Sydney 38 One-Design NSW Championship kicks off at the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta this coming weekend when hungry crews will be out to topple recurring champion, Conspiracy, owned by David Hudson and Peter Byford.

Although some have come close in recent years, Hudson and Byford continue to deliver that something extra, doing so again at the last Championship at Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s Sydney Harbour Regatta in 2023, when it looked likely Peter Sorensen’s Advanced Philosophy had the game stitched up - until the final race.

Improving regulars and new players alike are ready for the challenge ahead and all know what they have to do and who they have to overcome…

Lisa Callaghan, co-owner of Mondo and Sydney 38 Class Association Treasurer, is among the experienced. Mondo’s skipper faced one of her toughest challenges in the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart. She and co-owner, Stephen Teudt, sailed Mondo to a good 25^th overall in some of the most difficult and trying race conditions since 2004.

The pair arrived in Hobart after racing 628 nautical miles feeling a sense of achievement and renewed vigour.

“Coming back from doing so well in the Sydney-Hobart, I’m now quite excited to do the one-design thing again. Most of Mondo’s Hobart crew are doing the States with me,” said Callaghan, President of Manly Yacht Club where Teudt is Commodore.

“I’m also really excited to see nearly double the fleet and a rise in newer people in the class.  It was good to see Avalon do so well at the Pittwater Regatta. They beat Conspiracy. I think the competition will be closer than ever before at the States – and I will be excited to see a new champion!”

Callaghan reasons, “Owners have put a lot of effort put into building up their crews and improving speed and crew work. The States will give especially the newer people to the class a good experience competing against the other Sydney 38s.

She also concedes, “Mondo competes at its best and her crew learn the most competing against the other 38s. It’s a great learning opportunity and experience no matter how everyone finishes up.”

As the yachtswoman pointed out, the Sydney 38s are spread out at different clubs, so don’t race each other as a fleet, only sailing together at one-design events. “There are no more excuses, as the boats are the same, so it really gets down to the detail.”

This will be a first opportunity for most to race against those new to one-design racing as a class, so it’s difficult to pinpoint who the likely challengers to the main protagonists; reigning champion, Conspiracy (RPAYC) and Advanced Philosophy (MHYC).

“They are the ones to beat,” Callaghan confirms. “I think Avalon (RPAYC) and Challenge (Greg Croak – who finished third in 2023), will be right at the very top though.”

Geoff Ford, owner of Avalon, finished fifth at the Pittwater Regatta earlier this month, but has been otherwise unheard of at major events.

“I’ve been racing the boat for six years, but lurking in the backwaters of Balmain, although occasionally we come out to play in the Harbour,” he said. “But this is our first attempt at doing battle against the other 38s at a Championship.” 

Avalon won two races at the Pittwater Regatta and more importantly, beat Conspiracy overall, though it must be said that some of Conspiracy’s crew had jumped ship to Daguet 2 (co-owned by Peter Byford) for the NSW ORC Championship. Nevertheless, there is a psychological advantage in having beaten a renowned champion.

“We haven’t done the major class events because we didn’t have the sail wardrobe to make us remotely competitive. Now we have new Ian Short sails,” Ford explained. “We’re looking forward to the competition and the big fleet in the NSW Championship. We had our hit-out at the Pittwater Regatta.”

Ford has mostly new crew sailing on Avalon, but there is experience aboard. “Yes, I have people like Hedge (Glenn Cooper), Scott Clarkson and Stephanie Lyons. We’ve sailed against most of the boats at other regattas but never competed head-to-head in one-design. We’ll be happy if we finish mid-field or better.”

As to taking on Conspiracy again, Ford says, “I have a mate sailing on it, so there’s already a bet on between us…”

Sydney 38 One-Design NSW Championship entrants:

• Adela II (David Lamond, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron)
• Advanced Philosophy (Peter Sorensen, Middle Harbour Yacht Club)
• Avalon (Geoff Ford, Balmain Sailing Club)
• Challenge (Greg Croak, Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto)
• Conspiracy (David Hudson/Peter Byford, Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club)
• Love Byte (David Alais syndicate, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia)
• Mondo (Lisa Callaghan/Stephen Teudt, Manly Yacht Club)
• Shine on – Team Callendina (Phil Herscovics, CYCA)
• Thirlmere (Daniel Belcher/John Hodgkinson, CYCA)

For all information on the Sydney 38 class, visit: https://www.sydney38class.com/home/

All information, including entries, photos and results in the NMISHR, visit: https://shr.mhyc.com.au/

Di Pearson/Sydney 38 media

Photos by Andrea Francolini

Entries to the 2024 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta have topped 100 and continue growing daily as Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC) reveals some of the prizes on offer to entice more entrants before the Tuesday 27 February entry deadline. 

Zhik, official clothing supplier for the Australian Sailing Team, which is based at MHYC, has come on board as a support sponsor for the event to be held over the weekend of 2 and 3 March. The company will provide vouchers for divisional prizes and major prizes. And one lucky crew member will win a Zhik jacket if they go in the draw at the Club after racing on the Saturday.

The Grand Prizes, drawn from the boats placing first, second and third in their class or division will include a V8 Supercars Track Day and Pit Lane Walk courtesy of Steadfast Group Ltd, proud owner of naming rights sponsor Nautilus Marine Insurance, along with a Manly Spirits Distillery Experience for a group of 10 and other prizes.

Back on the water, one of the big ticket classes in 2024 is the Sydney 38 One-Design NSW Championship and a showdown between the largest fleet in years. Windward/leeward inshore races should be tighter than ever. 

“We’re looking forward to our Championship,” concedes defending champion and class president, David Hudson.

“We’re excited as we have nine entries and another that might join us; the biggest fleet we’ve had for years.”

Despite standing on the winner’s podium more times than any other, Hudson, one half of the successful partnership on Conspiracy, admits the Championship is no lay down misère for he and Peter Byford.

“It’s always difficult to successfully defend the title as the boats are so evenly matched. At least half the fleet got a win or a second in the last Championship and there were only seconds between the boats.

“There’s been a battle at our last few events between Conspiracy and Advanced Philosophy (Peter Sorensen), but in recent times the pair has been challenged by Shine On - Team Callendina (Phil Herscovics), Challenge (Greg Croak and family) and Mondo (Stephen Teudt/Lisa Callaghan).”

Hudson is overjoyed to see new players emerge in the class: “There’s a few new skippers and crews. We welcome them to the fleet. We’re quite confident they’ll do well,” he says of Geoff Ford (Avalon), John Hodgkinson/Daniel Belcher (Thirlmere), David Lamond (Adela II) and Cyril Latimer (Love Byte).

“As part of the core organising committee, Lisa (Callaghan) has been great in encouraging people into the class.”

Nautilus Marine Insurance CEO, Lyndon Turner, is among those looking forward to the weekend: "Our team is once again very pleased to be able to support all sailors taking part in the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta as we enter our second year as naming rights partner of this prominent regatta.

“It’s great to see our sport embraced by so many sailors from across NSW and beyond, racing on a wide range of boats. We look forward to meeting competitors at the Club during the event."

Other news from the water is that the Super 50s (TP52’s) will sail hybrid courses. Starting and finishing in the Harbour, the courses will also include an offshore windward/leeward component.

The regatta also marks the first round of the TP52’s 2024 Pallas Capital Gold Cup Series. First Light (Peter White) and two-time Sydney Hobart winner, Quest (Craig Neil), were in first with their entries. Gordon Ketelebey (Zen) is expected and Marcus Blackmore is keen if he is able to get the new Hooligan back from the Port Lincoln Regatta in time. Others are yet to confirm.

Entries are growing in the Open Divisions that are scored under both IRC and ORC. Divisions 1 and 2 will sail three inshore windward/leeward races each day, sharing the Foxtrot course with the Sydney 38 NSW Championship.

Recent entries in the division include Bushranger (Gerry Hatton) and Khaleesi (Sandy Farquharson). There are Insufficient Farr 40’s entered to justify a NSW Championship, so Bluetack (Brent Lawson) and Exile (Rob Reynolds) will boost numbers in Division 1.

Entries are open until 2359hrs, Tuesday 27 February, meaning one week remains for owners to take advantage of the Early Entry Fee.

For entry and Notice of Race, please visit: https://www.shr.mhyc.com.au

Di Pearson/MHYC media

Photos by Andrea Francolini...

Early entries have been extended for Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s (MHYC) 2024 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, with interest building and entries flowing in for the popular event taking place on the weekend of 2 and 3 March. 

A healthy field for the inaugural FarEast 28R National Championship will provoke second to none competition during the 19^th running of NSW’s largest keelboat regatta, with eight signed on.

Last year’s FarEast 28R division at the regatta was won by MING the Merciless (Jono Rogers), which returns, as does regular rival, Firecracker (Scott Lawson).

According to Rogers, who won five from the six races last year, “It’s an open field. We had five boats last year and it was close between all of us, there was nothing in it, despite the results at the end,” he said.

“Firecracker is very good, but anyone can get it on the day. The racing is that close.

Valkyrie (Drew Garnet) from Wangi on the Central Coast could do it too.

Cool Runnings won at Sail Port Stephens in 2022 and will be on the start line with Kevin Bloor in charge, joined by third placed Sweeney-Todd (Julian Todd).

“Sparrow (Peter Higgins) is a new boat from Pittwater. It’ll be interesting to see how it matches up against the rest. Everyone’s buying new sails for the Nationals and sharing ideas, so they’re ramping up.

“I feel it’s a building class, so having a Nationals is exciting. The class is developing in Sydney and to sail a one-design development class is great,” Rogers says.

“It’s a good spread of boats from around Sydney and the Central Coast competing for the Nationals. There’s been talk of New Zealand and Victorian boats coming next time, which is exciting for the class,” Rogers says.   

“We’re doing windward/leewards at the Sydney Harbour Regatta, which means great chances for overtaking downwind. I hope it’s windy because the boats are heaps of fun. They plane well and broach – the excitement factor,” he says laughing. 

“I can’t wait for the regatta to start.”

A second Australian Championship will be decided at the regatta too, with the J/99 class returning after holding its inaugural Championship at the Sydney Harbour Regatta in 2023. It was won by Jules Hall with Disko Trooper_Contender Sailcloth and he returns to defend the title he won by a landslide, posting five wins from six races.

“We’re really looking forward to coming back to defend,” Hall proclaims. “We have a bigger fleet this year. Eight boats and the standard has increased enormously. It means the competition will be better than ever. We’re looking forward to two days of close racing.”

Of the competition, Hall contends, “There’s no one standout boat. The usual suspects are all good,” he says of second and third overall respectively last year, Jupiter (Ian Smith) and Rum Rebellion (Shane Connolly).

“Blue Planet (Chris O’Neill) has lifted in performance and Verite from Newcastle has been sailing well.

“The Sydney Harbour Regatta is a great regatta and we’re delighted to be supporting it,” Hall finished.

More than 150 yachts are expected to take part, spread across 19 divisions and seven course areas on Sydney Harbour and offshore. A large proportion of those sailing on the Harbour will come from the Performance Class (Spinnaker Division).

Georgia Express is one of them. Sebastian Hultin has set his sights on doing well with the Mumm 36. Representing MHYC, Hultin says he is taking part in the event because, “It’s just a lot of fun. The action is all on Sydney Harbour, so it’s an entire weekend of racing in one of the most beautiful spots in the world.

“Standing on the beach having post-race drinks at Middle Harbour Yacht Club with live music afterwards is also very good. It’s the only yacht club where you can do that after racing.

“I’m hoping for a good turnout both on the water and for the socials after racing. You can’t have a bad time,” Hultin says.

Entries are open until 2359hrs, Tuesday 27 February, so enter now to take advantage of the Early Entry Fee.

For entry and Notice of Race, please visit: https://www.shr.mhyc.com.au

By Di Pearson/MHYC media

Photos by Andrea Francolini

Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC) welcomes all sailors to the New Year and entry into its 2024 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, due to take place from 2-3 March 2024, with another competitive weekend of autumn racing across multiple classes and divisions.

The Notice of Race is now online where you can also enter for the 19^th running of the largest keelboat regatta in NSW which was introduced in 2006.

New in 2024 is the inaugural FarEast 28R National Championship. A quality Australia-wide fleet exists in this fun and fast Simonis Voogd One-Design class. Excitement is the key factor. Downwind in big conditions has caused a few heart stopping moments for crews and spectators alike and there is often less than half a bowsprit between finishers in races.

Following a successful first Australian J/99 Class Championships at the Sydney Harbour Regatta in 2023, Jules Hall will return with Disko Trooper to defend their title.

The competitive Sydney 38 One-Design class will again hold its NSW Championship as part of the SHR. Whether the determined team of Peter Byford and David Hudson (Conspiracy) can be beaten remains to be seen. MHYC’s Peter Sorensen (Advanced Philosophy) came close last year. He led into the final day, but Conspiracy accelerated to lift the title.

Joining the Sydney 38s for offshore windward-leeward races starting and finishing in the Harbour will be the Super 50 group, with a number of TP52s expected. The Open IRC divisions will race inshore this year.

“We are committed to remaining innovative in our approach to the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta. We review it each year. We continue to grow it and promote the strength of the various one-design classes and other designs in general via NSW and National Championships,” said MHYC Commodore Rob Aldis.

The Commodore will take part also, with Daguet 2, a French built Mylius 50 co-owned with Peter Byford from Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. 

Other one-design classes lining up for MHYC’s signature event include the J/70, J/24, Adams 10, Farr 40 and Etchells. All are ultra-competitive and sailed by some of Australia’s leading lights.

Add to the above the Super 30, Super 40, Performance Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker divisions, Classic Keelboats and Historic 18 foot skiffs – the classes that showcase Sydney Harbour and its famous landmarks in March each year. The Harbour is at its best when it is covered in white sails and colourful spinnakers.

More than 150 yachts are expected to take part in the 19 divisions across seven course areas on the Harbour and offshore.

“We appreciate the large number of competitors who support the event each year and show our Harbour off to its best advantage. We also thank those clubs that support us each year to hold the regatta; a huge undertaking,” Commodore Aldis said.

Those clubs that continue to support the running of the Regatta are: 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, the Sydney Flying Squadron and their skilled and committed volunteers. 

Early entries close at one minute to midnight on Wednesday 21 February, so enter now and take advantage of the Early Entry Fee.

For the Notice of Race and to enter the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, please visit: www.shr.mhyc.com.au

Di Pearson/MHYC media

2023 Photos by Andrea Francolini

The Nautilus Marine Insurance 2024 Sydney Harbour Regatta Notice of Race has now been published and entries are invited for the 19th edition this prestigious regatta.

Some changes for 2024 include:

• The addition of Classic Yachts sailing two races on the Saturday and one longer race on the Sunday.
• Open class yachts being scored on IRC and ORC will sail two inshore passage races each day.
• The Super 50 class and the Sydney 38 NSW Championship fleet will sail two short offshore windward-leeward races each day starting and finishing in the harbour.

Otherwise, the 2024 Regatta is similar in format to previous years with the same wonderful group of supporting clubs. 

To read or download the Notice of Race - click here

Entries are now being accepted for the 2023 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC), with the entry form online at the official website where the Notice of Race can also be found. 

To be held on 25 and 26 November, Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s (MHYC) SSORC is in its 46th year. It is held alongside the Seven Islands Race which attracts an eclectic fleet of those who prefer inshore round the buoys racing, or in this case, round some of Sydney’s most famous islands on Sydney Harbour. The start is pursuit style from MHYC and first back home at the Club is crowned the winner.

Commodore of MHYC, Rob Aldis, commented: “First of all, we’d like to thank Nautilus Marine Insurance which is in its second year as main event partner for our SSORC and Sydney Harbour Regatta in March. The company adds prestige to our two major events through its support of the sailing community.”

The SSORC is a first chance this summer season for an offshore hit-out ahead of other major offshore events, in particular the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. 

Commodore Aldis continued, “We expect to see some new players this season and to also see old rivalries re-emerge.”

He was referring to entrants from MHYC and Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in particular, who regularly challenge each other for the top three places at major events hosted by the two clubs.

It is likely the top three from Division 1 last year will be back. Winner was MHYC regular, Bob Cox and his DK46, Nine Dragons. RPAYC yachts filled out second and third overall respectively: the Mark Griffith skippered LCE Old School Racing (also a DK46) and Keiran Mulcahy’s King 40, Soozal, which upset a trio of DK46s taking the trophies. 

Division 2 went to podium limelight stealers in Jack Stening and Colin Gunn with their Sydney 36 Stormaway. Just one point separated them from another podium regular in Peter Sorensen’s Sydney 38, Advanced Philosophy. Bullwinkle, Peter Farrugia’s Bull 9000 from RPAYC, filled out the top three. The trio will be eager to return for another go. 

So will it be the locals versus RPAYC for the top spots again, or will those from other clubs, inclusive of those that just missed out last year, muscle their way in?

Opportunists will face a mix of racing from a passage race to Lion Island (in a northerly) or Cape Baily (in a southerly) on the Saturday. The race is also an inclusion in the CYCA Ocean Pointscore (OPS). On Sunday, two short offshore windward/leeward races are in the pipeline. The best boats tested across the different styles of races, usually held in varying conditions, will be the victors.

For entry and Notice of Race, please visit: www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au  

Di Pearson/MHYC media

All Photos by Andrea Francolini

The prizegiving ceremony for the 2023 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta attracted 150 guests to Middle Harbour Yacht Club on a very warm evening tonight with a great atmosphere. 

MHYC Special Events Chairman, Ian Box, was MC and congratulated all 156 entrants in this year’s regatta, especially those who contested Australian or State Championships as part of the event.  There were almost one thousand competitors this year.  To be able to deliver 89 races for 17 divisions across 7 course areas takes an enormous effort and the event ran smoothly with a full program of races for all classes and 5 protests resolved by the Jury. 

 Along with prize presentations to the placegetters in all divisions, a number of special awards were made.  Best performance by a female skipper and a Chandon pack was awarded to Tracy Richardson who sailed her Adams 10 Artemis to three straight wins on the final day to win the regatta.  The crew prizes, $500 Ross & Whitcroft clothing vouchers and pairs of Maui Jim sunglasses, were drawn and awarded to Pam Fagence from Never A Dull Moment (Performance Non-Spinnaker) and Duncan Stenger from Siena (J/99 Australian Championships). 

The Grand Prizes were also drawn with the third place prize, a $1000 Nautilus Marine Insurance voucher and a Young Henry's Brewery Tour and Tastings for 10 crew, going to Graeme Dunlop and Ellipse from CYCA (Performance Spinnaker Division 2).  The second place prize, three night's accommodation at Hamilton Island and a reef tour along with a Manly Spirits "Distillery Experience" for a crew of 10, went to Ian Quarrie and Ascalon from RPAYC (Performance Spinnaker Division 1).  The Grand First Prize, A V8 Supercar Track Day courtesy of Steadfast and a $1500 Ross & Whitcroft clothing voucher, was presented to Jules Hall and Disko Trooper from CYCA (J/99 Australian Championships).

The regatta would not be possible without the support of CYCA, Manly YC, RANSA, RPAYC, RPEYC, RSYS, SASC, Sydney Flying Squadron and a collective team of 85 race management volunteers.  We are fortunate to also have the support of Nautilus Marine Insurance as principal sponsor along with supporting sponsors Quality Marine Clothing, Flagstaff Marine, Pacific Rigging, Maui Jim and Manly Spirits.

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

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.

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 18^th 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/

Di Pearson/MHYC media

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   

By Di Pearson, MHYC media