Tilly Lock Media was on the water and ashore for day One of the Sydney Harbour Regatta on Saturday March 7.  

Sydney Harbour Regatta’s opening day brought together a multi-club effort spanning the harbour and offshore for the 185-strong fleet from around the state of New South Wales and Victoria.

Conditions offshore and short runways for the bigger boats made it harder for the Open Class and Sydney 38 fleet to sail cleanly - the crew of John Newbold’s RP51 Primitive Cool caught out on a kite drop in gusty SSWers and swell off Sydney Heads. Video by Tilly Lock.

Boat manager David Sudarno said: “We had a puff at the wrong time and had to smoke the halyard. We weren’t the only ones with the odd issue. The big boats were doing 18-20 knots downwind on those short legs in a seaway that wasn’t helping. We have to work the angles under asymmetric, unlike the symmetric boats that can sail deep.”

Across the inshore courses, spread from Manly to Garden Island near the city, boats of all sizes, from Historic 18s to Sydney 36s to sports boats, weaved their way through the traffic on their own course and contended with other racing fleets, plus the usual weekend traffic in SSW 10 knots building to 20.

Middle Harbour Yacht Club members fared well across the divisions, Peter Sorensen’s Advanced Philosophy leading the Sydney 38 division three races into their series, and Bob Cox’s DK46 Nine Dragons leading the Open Class fleet on IRC handicap from Gerry Hatton’s Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club based Mat 1245 Bushranger.

The Adams 10 fleet is heavily weighted by MHYC boats and fronting the division by two points is Patrick Delaney’s Powerhulk.

RPAYC based Melges 24 +GST, skippered by Andy Wharton, had a couple of newcomers on the boat but this didn’t stop them posting a win, then a 2^nd and a 5^th to lead the Super 30 pointscore. “Conditions were great and we went the right way. It’s a borrowed boat – I haven’t sailed a Melges for a year – I put together a scratch crew and we had fun!” Wharton said.

Saturday’s player’s player award went to the hardy Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s race management team on start boat Offshore, which had some serious roll on out on the Macquarie course.

Results for all divisions available here.

Link to the daily highlights video by Tilly Lock Media.

Sunday March 8 is International Women’s Day and Middle Harbour Yacht Club will mark the occasion with a sensational W Salt Flag Helly Hansen jacket going to the top performing female skipper, and with a photo gallery tribute by photographer Andrea Francolini. Up to 10 female skippers are in the hunt for the jacket, which will be presented once the series results are complete.

The forecast for day two is southerly 15-20 knots of southerly breeze and racing is due to commence from midday.

Key sponsors for Sydney Harbour Regatta’s 15^th edition include Helly Hansen, Air New Zealand and Robert Oatley Wines.  Supporting sponsors are Club Marine, Coral Sea Marina Resort, Stamford Plaza Auckland, Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens, Vittoria Coffee, Fisherman’s Friend, KeySun Zinke, ANTAL and the host club welcomes new supporter, Mercedes-Benz North Shore.

How to follow the Sydney Harbour Regatta:

Sydney Harbour Regatta website https://shr.mhyc.com.au/

Facebook: @SydneyHarbourRegatta

Instagram: sydneyharbourregatta

As overall numbers for the multi-club run Sydney Harbour Regatta pass the 150 mark, Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s sailing office is busy responding to requests from subgroups within the larger fleet, and tweaking the on-water program.

Amendments to the Notice of Race posted here enable the Sydney 36 and Super 12 divisions to enjoy one day of harbour passage races and one day of inshore windward-leeward racing over the weekend of March 7-8.

The Echo Course area, delivered by Manly Yacht Club with support from MHYC, is anticipating a big increase in numbers with the RSYS fleet joining yachts from the other clubs. MHYC sailing manager David Staley says, “We could potentially see 90 boats on this course across four divisions, and the RSYS entries could push our total fleet number close to the magic 200 – we will see.”

Host club MHYC and the eight leading Sydney yacht clubs that assist with the colossal race management operation welcome Sydney Harbour Regatta newcomers while recognising mainstays such as Russell Waddy and his Bavaria 40s Dancing Star. Waddy and his team have scored podium finishes in Performance Class Non-Spinnaker Division for the past five years, including three brilliant wins.

RANSA run the Non-Spinnaker Foxtrot course area of the inner harbour each year, an option popular with crews who enjoy the regatta experience without the stress of getting kites up and down.

The IRC optimised King 40, Soozl, enjoyed a very successful racing career on the American circuit. Now Australian based owners Kieran and Elizabeth Mulcahy are steadily building a team to impress at national regattas and races of note. Next stop for the campaign is Sydney Harbour Regatta Open Class division 1.

“I’ve done a Sydney Harbour Regatta before. I find it’s well run and gets me to the harbour and linked up with another group of racing boats,” Pittwater based owner/skipper Kieran said.

Soozl arrived in the country in November 2019, in time to take out division 2 of MHYC’s Sydney Short Ocean Championship then contest the 75th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and Australian Yachting Championship, collecting a fourth and third in division respectively.

Mulcahy’s early impression of his purchase, Mark Mills’ earlier generation design to Gerry Hatton’s Mat 1245 Bushranger, is, “The boat is a quiet beast. I think it’s got lots of potential; I need to complement that potential with the right crew, which we are working through. The boat’s ruffling some feathers.”

The grand prize draw is now online and includes an Air New Zealand/Stamford Plaza Auckland/Helly Hansen package that will go to one lucky divisional winner across the combined fleet. All second-placed owners will be in the draw for a Coral Sea Marina Resort/Helly Hansen prize pack and third placegetters will be in the running for a Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens/Helly Hansen prize pack.

Eligible prize winners must attend the final trophy presentation at MHYC from 1800hrs on Monday March 9.

As an added entry inducement, the club and Mercedes-Benz North Shore will offer a luxury Mercedes-Benz vehicle for the weekend and accommodation on the shores of Lake Macquarie. All entrants in the Sydney Harbour Regatta are eligible for this prize, which will be drawn on Saturday March 7 and announced at the prizegiving on March 9.

Standard entry for the 15th edition of Sydney Harbour Regatta applies until 11.59hrs on March 2 and thereafter a late entry fee will apply. Online entry here.

Key sponsors for Sydney Harbour Regatta’s 15th edition include Helly Hansen, Air New Zealand and Robert Oatley Wines. Supporting sponsors are Club Marine, Coral Sea Marina Resort, Stamford Plaza Auckland, Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens, Vittoria Coffee, Fisherman’s Friend, KeySun Zinke, ANTAL and the host club welcomes new supporter, Mercedes-Benz North Shore.

How to follow the Sydney Harbour Regatta:

Sydney Harbour Regatta website https://shr.mhyc.com.au/

Facebook: @SydneyHarbourRegatta

Instagram: sydneyharbourregatta

Further information:

MHYC Sailing Office (regatta enquiries) e. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. m. 0428 514 058

Scaled-up sports boats 25 to 30 feet are flooding the Super 30 division of this year’s Sydney Harbour Regatta, Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s flagship event of 15 years.

And great midweek news for all owners is the club’s generous early entry fee deadline has been extended until Wednesday February 26. The Notice of Race for the March 7-8 series is available here and online entry here.

Guy Irwin has been involved in the regatta since inception; in fact he remembers, as Captain of Racing at the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club, attending a meeting of all the clubs involved called by past Commodore and current club Special Events Chairman Ian Box, to discuss the logistics of the first-ever edition.

“Around 2012 we sold our first yacht called Clewless?, bought a Cape 31 also named Clewless? and started racing in the Super 30 fleet that was set up off the back of a successful Super 30 division at SASC, designed for light placement type boats around the same size and performance. Our latest Clewless? is a Farr 30 and this will be our second Sydney Harbour Regatta with the current boat,” Irwin said.

Andrew York’s Rio 7.7 design, Reo Speedwagon, will be aiming for a slice of the substantial prize pool among a diverse Super 30 starting fleet, including Melges 24s, Fareast 28s and Flying Tiger 10s.

Top three in all divisions (where six or more entries are received) are eligible for each of the three major prizes.  The fun caveat is a representative of each yacht must be in attendance at the official MHYC presentation on Monday evening, March 9, to receive the prize. Prize details will be announced shortly.

Open Class boats will race a windward/leeward format and be scored under IRC and ORCi. Larger contenders include John Newbold’s RP51 Primitive Cool sailing for Victoria, though the boat is berthed in Sydney for the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Bluewater Pointscore Series.

“The main driver for leaving the boat in Sydney is the access to good local crew and the competitiveness of the Sydney fleet, plus we have no draft issues,” the owner said. In 2012 he bought the 2010 Rolex Sydney Hobart overall winner when it was Geoff Boettcher’s Secret Men’s Business 3.5. The upcoming Sydney Harbour Regatta will be the boat’s first, and Newbold says it’s a good time of year for a fly-in fly-out. “We always like our trips to Sydney, the weather’s pretty good no matter what time of year!”

Fleet numbers in the Performance Spinnaker Divisions, already the largest group of boats in the 2020 Sydney Harbour Regatta, will receive a significant boost this year with the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron fleet joining yachts from more than 15 other clubs. Saturday races will be included in the Squadron’s Summer Series pointscore.

Organisers anticipate another huge fleet of more than 180 boats from a broad range of one-design classes plus mixed keelboats, offering opportunities for serious campaigners and enthusiastic club racers alike.

After the early entry cut-off date the standard entry fee will apply until Monday March 2. 

Key sponsors for the Sydney Harbour Regatta’s 15^th edition include Helly Hansen, Air New Zealand and Robert Oatley Wines.  Supporting sponsors are Club Marine, Coral Sea Marina Resort, Vittoria Coffee, Fisherman’s Friend, KeySun Zinke and ANTAL.

How to follow the Sydney Harbour Regatta:

Sydney Harbour Regatta website https://shr.mhyc.com.au/

Facebook: @SydneyHarbourRegatta

Instagram: sydneyharbourregatta

In 2020, Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s longstanding Sydney Harbour Regatta celebrates 15 years as Sydney’s premier keelboat series across the weekend of March 7-8.

The Notice of Race is available here and online entry here. In all but one of the six racing categories on offer the starting list began to fill as soon as entries opened.

Organisers anticipate another huge fleet of more than 180 boats from a broad range of one-design classes plus mixed keelboats, offering opportunities for serious campaigners and enthusiastic club racers alike.

MHYC Special Events Chairman Ian Box says, “Sydney Harbour Regatta is in the sailing calendar of all the Sydney and surrounding clubs. It’s a collaborative effort and that is the hallmark of the event, and the reason for its continued success. Owners like it because it creates an opportunity for club racers to compete in a broader fleet, well beyond their usual club program.”

Sydney Harbour will be the venue for the majority of racing and the bigger boats in the TP52 and IRC divisions will head offshore for breathing space. Seven course areas provide room between the divisions and the regular harbour transport services and recreational boaters who enjoy the internationally recognised waterway on the weekend.

The J70 class will stage their NSW Championship under the regatta umbrella and a new addition to the program is an Interclub Teams Event in the Performance Spinnaker Divisions.

MHYC acknowledges the event’s success is due to the continued assistance of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Manly Yacht Club, RANSA, Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, Sydney Amateur Sailing Club and the Sydney Flying Squadron. Denis Thompson is once again Principal Race Officer and a national jury will be appointed to officiate.

MHYC encourages competitors to be part of the great social atmosphere, including live entertainment, back at the club each day after racing. 

Key sponsors for the Sydney Harbour Regatta’s 15^th edition include Helly Hansen, Air New Zealand & Robert Oatley Wines.  Supporting sponsors are Club Marine, Coral Sea Marina Resort, Vittoria Coffee, Fisherman’s Friend and KeySun Zinke.

Dear Skippers,

On behalf of the Middle Harbour Yacht Club it is my great pleasure to invite you to the 2020 Sydney Harbour Regatta on the 15th Anniversary of this prestigious event.

Sydney Harbour plays host to some of the most competitive and high-profile sailing events in Australia and the Sydney Harbour Regatta attracts the largest fleet of keelboats.

This event has constantly attracted a diversity of participating boats and classes, setting it well on its way to a highly regarded international regatta. Originally established as the lead event for Sydney Harbour Week, which celebrates our harbour's diversity, the Sydney Harbour Regatta has rightly earned its reputation as Sydney Harbour's 'Sailing Spectacular', providing a perfect opportunity for us all to demonstrate the thrill and excitement that our sport offers.

Shore-side, this year’s event is guaranteed to be a wonderful festival of fun. With live entertainment and a beach party on Saturday evening, everyone will remain well entertained!. A must-do event to be noted in your social calendar.

I welcome and thank our major sponsors for 2020 - Helly Hansen, Robert Oatley Wines and Air New Zealand.  

I am confident you will enjoy this year’s event. I look forward to seeing you on the water and later on the Club's beach to share in the entertainment and fabulous sailing atmosphere.

The NOR has now been published and online entry is open - click here

To download the event flyer - click here

For more information, visit www.shr.mhyc.com.au

Yours in sailing

Peter Lewis

Commodore, MHYC

The Notice of Race is available and Online Entry is open for the 2020 Sydney Harbour Regatta being held over the weekend of Saturday & Sunday March 7 & 8. 

Visit the Race Documents menu on www.shr.mhyc.com.au

The 2020 Sydney Harbour Regatta will be held over the weekend of Saturday & Sunday March 7 & 8. 

Put in your diary now and keep the dates free for more great one-design and mixed class racing.

Alan and Tom Quick have added the Yoti Sydney 38 Australian Championship to their trophy cabinet at Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s Sydney Harbour Regatta, which finished late this afternoon.

The Quicks (CYCA), who were crowned Farr 40 NSW champions in early February on their ‘Outlaw’, were in top form, winning six from nine races. They did not finish outside the top three on the windward/leeward courses in the Sound on Sydney Harbour over three days.

Father and son had previously owned and raced a Sydney 38 with success, but not for five years, so the crew had little time to get their heads around the class again.

On the opening day, Tom Quick skippered the chartered ‘The Goat’ with some unfamiliar crew, before adding more and more of their usual crew on Days 2 and 3. 

The first day belonged to the 2018 NSW champions, Peter Byford and David Hudson (Conspiracy from RPAYC), who came out brimming with confidence, scoring two bullets and a third to Outlaw’s pair of thirds and a win. Conspiracy’s crew was in form and hoping to successfully defend their title, but it was not to be.

By Day 2, the well-named Outlaw had settled in  and won all three races to take the Championship lead. Conspiracy fell into a bit of a slump, placing fifth in Races 4 and 5, before lifting to second place in Race 6, for second overall. Calibre’s (Richard Williams/CYCA) consistency across the board had her in third overall.  

On Day 3, with Outlaw’s usual mainsail trimmer also back on board to relieve tactician David Chapman of that duty to fully concentrate on calling the shots, there was no stopping them – a second and two wins to claim the title. That Chapman had been able to perform both jobs so well is a credit to him.

Conspiracy, sitting pretty in second, was protested, but it was dismissed, much to her owners’ relief. Calibre finished third, a win in Race 8 cementing their podium place.

Back at MHYC, Quick said: “An excellent result. I had a great team and it was a team effort and very enjoyable. The two final wins we scored, we had to pass Conspiracy on the downwind to get them. They sailed very well,” admitted Quick, who will now have to get into Farr 40 mode again with the Nationals starting on Friday.

“The officials did an excellent job and the class has been well-run too. They went over and above for all of us.”

David Hudson said of the Championship: “It was fantastic sailing, very close, which is the epitome of one-design racing. At the finish, there were literally seconds between the boats.

“Outlaws were superior sailors and deservedly won the Lou Abrahams Sydney 38 perpetual trophy. Tom knew Lou, so it was quite fitting,” he said.

Conspiracy, he said, “had a better day today, making up for some mediocre races yesterday. We had good height and speed on the upwind legs and good mark roundings – no mistakes. We were pleased to pit ourselves against Outlaw and match them. We raced in 12-14 knots and the boats come into their own in those conditions.”

The Corinthian trophy went to Challenge (Greg Croak) . “They sailed consistently and put a lot of effort into getting that trophy,” Hudson remarked. “We are pleased with the newer people on the course. It was wonderful that they were out there.

“Finally, we pay credit to Middle Harbour Yacht Club for hosting the Yoti Sydney 38 Championship and the Sydney Harbour Regatta. Their organisation is top notch and they work hard to make it a success.”

A first-rate 11-boat all-NSW fleet of professionals and amateurs took part in the 2019 Yoti NSW Sydney 38 Championship, sailed all three days in moderate north-east winds under sunny skies.

“There is a possibility of larger fleets at future events – the class is alive and thriving,” Hudson noted.

Others who had their moments of glory with top-three results, included Greg Croak’s Challenge from Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto, Phil Tomkins’ Adrenalin (CYCA) and class newcomer and MHYC member, Peter Sorensen (Advanced Philosophy). Sorro is a former champion skiff and yacht skipper, so is sure to make an impact at future Sydney 38 events.

In breaking news, Jervis Tilly’s The Jackal, originally the winner of the J70 NSW Championship at the Sydney Harbour Regatta, was subsequently disqualified from Races 5 and 6 under Class rule 3.1c, relating to a crew change. It means Tilly drops to fourth place overall. Reg Lord’s Juno moves up to first place to become the NSW champion.

Racing at the Sydney Harbour Regatta, enjoyed by over 160 boats in 20 classes/divisions would not be possible without the continued assistance of: the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Manly Yacht Club, RANSA, Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, Sydney Amateur Sailing Club and the Sydney Flying Squadron. Thanks go to all.

Thanks also go to the regatta’s key sponsors Helly Hansen, Air New Zealand, Robert Oatley Wines and Abell Point Marina, along with supporting sponsors Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens, Smooth FM, Club Marine, Vittoria Coffee and KeySun.

Full results can be found on the official website: www.shr.mhyc.com.au   

By Di Pearson, MHYC media

Photos by Andrea Francolini

Photos by Allan Coker

Winners were crowned on the final day of the Sydney Harbour Regatta, conducted by Middle Harbour Yacht (MHYC), over three days for the Sydney 38s and the weekend for all other classes.

This is the 14^th running of the regatta for MHYC, which is in the throes of celebrating 80 years. All competitors were flying Clean Up Australia flags from the backstays in support of the 30^th Clean Up Sydney Harbour today. The late Ian Kiernan AO, who would be thrilled to see his legacy continuing to grow.  

The Jackal new J70 NSW champion

Jervis Tilly has won his first sailing title as a skipper, sailing The Jackal to a four-point win over the ever-competitive Juno, owned by Reg Lord.

Tilly commented: This is my first title in this class – or any class – and my first year in the J70. This is the boat you want to have for this type of racing. It’s strictly one-design, it leaves you to concentrate on the sailing aspect.

“The boat is lots of fun and technical to sail. We had six great races in tricky conditions and close competition. The fleet has improved a lot. The back end is finishing within one and one and a half minutes of the front end these days. “Reg Lord is heading off to the Worlds at Torquay in the UK at the end of August, and that will be good for bringing the rest of us up to standard when he gets back.”

Postscript....Following a hearing of the National Jury, Jackal has been scored DSQ in races 5 & 6 for not obtaining approval for a crew change.  Results have been updated and Reg Lord's 'James' from CYCA hasclaimed the NSW Championship.

Chris Way all the way in last race to claim Super 12s spoils

Chris Way, renowned for his various boats named ‘Easy Tiger’, won the Super 12s on countback with his MC38, Easy Tiger VI. It was Way all the way in the final race, which nailed the top spot for him after three boats came into the final day within a point of each other.

Adrian Walters’ Rob Shaw 11 Meter, Little Nico, finished second overall on equal points with Easy Tiger VI, finishing ahead of three other MC38s.

“It all came down to the last race – four boats could have won. Three were within a point of each other coming into today – us winning the final race was crucial. Dark Star (John Bacon) didn’t have such a good day in the last two races, which cut her out of the running,” Way said.  

“It was very close racing and a good tune up for the MC38 Nationals in two weeks on Pittwater. We’ve been on a steep sail development program and we will have to keep it up for the Nationals, but the new combination seems to be working.

“Steve McConaghy was on tactics – he was with me in Pattaya (Thailand) last weekend when we won the Platu class at the Trans Worlds,” ended Way, who is obviously on a roll.

Adams 10 NSW Championship goes to Powderhulk

Despite not being able to maintain a top performance in the past, according to Powderhulk’s owner, Patrick Delany, he has defied his own statement and sailed Powderhulk to a NSW Championship win in the Adam’s 10. Delany beat nearest rival, Backchat (sailed by gun offshore racer Tom Braidwood) by two points. Delany and Braidwood won two races apiece, but Delany, from MHYC, was the more consistent of the two.

“Rocky Balboa won by trying hard against the big fellas,” a laughing Delany said. “It was a good day, but a day of two stories. The left side of the course had less wind, but great lifts. Downwind was a challenge as well; the lead swapped a lot.

“Backchat did very well today, it’s sailed by the King of the North (Tom Braidwood) who brought his diamond glass down from the Lake (Macquarie) to fight to the dead. The Aussie champ (Delaney) overdosed on massages and green juice. I’m pleased to say we didn’t choke – the little Aussie Battler from MHYC came through!”

NSW Cavalier 28 Championship goes to Scuttlebutt

Greg Purcell has won the Cavalier Championship over John MacLeod’s Quambi by three points. Purcell said the racing was, as always, competitive.

“And both days the weather has been fabulous. It was a special event on the Harbour. It’s always good to be out there. Could the weather have been any better – I don’t think so – it was warm and sunny and the fleet sailed in great north-easterlies throughout.

“We had fun – the officials did a really good job, they always do.”

Olympian wins Yngling NSW title

Triple Olympian Karyn Gojnich and her Evie crew have won the NSW Yngling title from Hamish Jarrett and his Miss Pibb. Jarrett has been the benchmark in the class in recent years, and Gojnich, who has represented Australia at the Games in the 470 and Yngling classes, did well to finish a clear six points ahead, counting a trio of wins and second places in her tally.

The 2019 Sydney Harbour Regatta included five Championship events - the Yoti Sydney 38 Australian Championship and NSW championships for the Adams 10, J70, Cavalier 28 and Yngling classes – not to mention all the other usual classes.

Ophir tops the Super 30 class by one and a half points

Sailing his Flying Tiger Ophir with wife, Sonia, and two daughters (21 year-old Dana a 470 sailor) and Jessica (an 18 year-old match racing sailor) Bruce Tavener has skated home to claim the Super 30 class by just 1.5 points from Matt Wilkinson’s fast finishing Farr 30, Foreign Affair.

“It normally comes down to that,” Tavener said. “We had a really good day yesterday - we knew we had to get our boat speed up and minimise the errors. We had good starts in first two races and picked the shifts nicely.

“Today we were OCS in one race, but went back and managed to recover, but we were on the back foot of course. We knew the handicap was going to start biting us, so we just put our heads down and sailed. It became a drag race in the end, plus we had a ship to navigate our way around. We are improving, despite our eight year-old main.”

So many classes, we are unable to cover all, but it was evident that everyone who sailed enjoyed the regatta.

Volunteers numbered 85 from eight supporting clubs that conducted 94 races on two offshore and six inshore race areas over three sunny days of light to moderate north-easterly breezes. Entries comprised 160, taking in 950 competitors across 18 divisions.

The Sydney Harbour Regatta would not be possible without the continued assistance of: the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Manly Yacht Club, RANSA, Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, Sydney Amateur Sailing Club and the Sydney Flying Squadron.

Thanks go to key sponsors Helly Hansen, Air New Zealand, Robert Oatley Wines and Abell Point Marina, along with supporting sponsors Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens, Smooth FM, Club Marine, Vittoria Coffee and KeySun.

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

By Di Pearson, MHYC media

Photos by Andrea Francolini

Photos by Allan Coker

From the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, all the way down to the Sound at Manly – boats, boats and more boats, as Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s well-named key event, the Sydney Harbour Regatta, did as its name implies – filled Sydney Harbour with racing boats of all shapes and sizes.

And as if that was not enough, the courses extended offshore where the Sydney 38s are conducting their Australian Championship on windward/leeward courses, joined today by the TP52s, plus other grand prix yachts broken into two IRC divisions, all battling for the spoils.

Weatherwise, it was similar to yesterday - a moderate 8-13 knot north-easterly – ideal warm autumnal conditions for NSW’s largest keelboat regatta.  

Yoti Sydney 38 Australian Championship

Racing was every bit as close as it was yesterday, but a new leader has emerged, with Alan and Tom Quick’s chartered The Goat, re-named ‘Outlaw’, toppling current NSW champion, Conspiracy (Peter Byford/David Hudson), from the top of the podium.

The Quicks have moved over from their Farr 40 and adapted ‘quickly’ to the Sydney 38 after a few years absence, Tom Quick saying, “We had crew returned from our Farr 40 today. Phil Armstrong, one of our trimmers and kite trimmer came along. He was the big change in our performance.  It’s all about the crew – 100 percent it’s the crew that makes the difference.

“I’m hoping our main trimmer can join us tomorrow – he’s been away working - and give David Chapman a break. David’s been doing our tactics and trimming the main. He’s done a great job. It will give him a chance to just concentrate on the tactics tomorrow.” 

Outlaw scored a trio of wins, while Conspiracy scored 5-2-2 results. In Race 4, Outlaw outgunned Richard Williams’ Calibre by nearly one minute, with Phil Tomkins’ Adrenalin finishing third, making it a CYCA top three.

In Race 5, it was Outlaw again, this time from Greg Croak’s Challenge from Toronto, with Calibre third. Race 6, and Outlaw won from Conspiracy by nearly a minute, with class newcomer, and MHYC member, Peter Sorensen (Advanced Philosophy) third. Results have Outlaw on top by seven points over Conspiracy and 10 in front of Calibre.

Quick said, “We did our best and it worked. We sailed in a bit more freshening breeze than yesterday, with the nor-easter getting up to around 13 knots offshore. “It was always close, especially on the first leg up to first mark in all three races. Staying in front is about working the boat as hard downwind as you do upwind.”

On the competition he commented: “Peter Sorensen (a former champion skiff and yacht sailor) came to grips with the boat today and were up with us a lot of the time, but Calibre was certainly our main competition today.”

In the other offshore classes, TP52 newcomer, Gordon Ketelbey (Zen) leads with three straight wins. A great result after the disappointment of retiring with damage from the recent Rolex Sydney Hobart.

Zen leads Gweilo (Matt Donald/Chris Townsend) and Sam Haynes’ Celestial, with 2008 and 2012 Sydney Hobart winner, Quest (Bob Steel) fourth – as he reacquaints himself with the boat he sold to Paul Clitheroe and repurchased recently.

‘The locals’ Nine Dragons (Bob Cox) and Khaleesi (Andrew and Pauline Dally) continue their usual DK46 stoush in Open Class Division 1, but Cox has a solid five point lead.   

In Division 2, Blink lost a crew overboard at a bottom mark rounding in Race 3, but crew members on Mark Gorbatov/Mark Siebert’s Sydney 38 reacted quickly, retrieved and kept racing. Unsurprisingly, perennial winner, Colin Gunn (Stormaway) representing MHYC, leads the division from fellow club member, Justin Brownbill’s Botany Access Cocomo.

On the Harbour

Over 160 boats across 20 diverse classes/divisions are taking part, from the NSW Championships in the Adams 10, Cavalier 28 and J70 to the many others.    

Nine experienced Adams 10s went hard at it on Day 1. Patrick Delaney’s Powderhulk leads by a single point from Rob Clarke’s KickNChase and Raoul De Ferranti’s Lumine Lunae – the latter two on equal points, so close is the competition.

A buoyed-up Delaney commented: “It was very, very close. The starts were very tight and the lead swapped a lot. KickNChase is the Australian champion, so we’ll see if the little Aussie battlers can hold out against them.

“Tomorrow will be interesting, with the remaining three races. Today wasn’t easy – we didn’t see more than 10 knots on the Harbour. Race 3 was variable and died towards the end. Winds were very shifty. We’re hoping for a stronger breeze tomorrow – we go better in that.

“Backchat (in fourth) has come from Lake Macquarie and has a good crew – they could come good tomorrow. We have a history of starting well, but dropping off, we’ll see,” ended a laughing Delaney.  

The J70 NSW Championship is also a hotly contested affair. Currently Jervis Tilley (The Jackal) leads Tim Ryan’s James and Reg Lord’s Juno after three races, while Andrew McPherson’s U2 leads the NSW Championship in the Cavalier 28 class. One point separates U2 from Centaurius (Craig Mitchell) and Phil Mahoney’s Blind Justice.

McPherson was rather tickled to find U2 in front: “A gorgeous day’s sail. We sailed one crew short and had two stand-ins, because three of my regulars couldn’t make it. We managed to get through, but I’m happily surprised we’re leading,” he said.

“Close racing, and especially at marks, but the day went smoothly. The lighter air made it easier for us. Centaurus is always the number one boat on scratch, they work like clockwork – we all measure ourselves on him, so it’s good to get a win up against them.”

This is the 14^th running of the Sydney Harbour Regatta, conducted by MHYC, which is in the throes of celebrating 80 years. All competitors are flying Clean Up Australia flags from their backstays in support of Clean Up Sydney Harbour on Sunday, which is celebrating its 30^th year. The late Ian Kiernan AO would be thrilled to see the legacy he left behind growing.     

Racing on Sydney Harbour and offshore courses concludes tomorrow and would not be possible without the continued assistance of: the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Manly Yacht Club, RANSA, Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, Sydney Amateur Sailing Club and the Sydney Flying Squadron.

Thanks go to key sponsors Helly Hansen, Air New Zealand, Robert Oatley Wines and Abell Point Marina, along with supporting sponsors Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens, Smooth FM, Club Marine, Vittoria Coffee and KeySun.

For full results in all classes all information: www.shr.mhyc.com.au   

By Di Pearson, MHYC media

All photos by Andrea Francolini

Peter Byford and David Hudson have come out the cream of the crop on Day 1 of the Yoti Sydney 38 Championship at the Sydney Harbour Regatta, hosted by Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC), sailing Conspiracy to two wins from three races for an early lead this afternoon.

The reigning NSW champions and third placegetters at the 2018 Australian Championship, Byford and Hudson are making no bones about their desire to ramp it up a notch this year, despite a larger field than last time around.

However, the Pittwater pair by no means had it all their own way, they lead by one point from Alan and Tom Quick, recently crowned Farr 40 NSW champions. The CYCA father and son may have switched one-design classes, but they arrived fully cocked and loaded with The Goat, scoring a pair of third places and a win for second place overall.

Conspiracy though, also won Boat of the Day, and proudly flew that flag, co-owner, David Hudson said.

The day of racing, Hudson said, “Wasn’t too bad. We had from 8-12 knots. It was good constant racing on a reasonably flat sea. It was close and competitive. We’ll have to stay on our toes, as we’ve got The Goat on our tails. We haven’t raced against them before; they did a good job today.”

Hudson said they were pleased with their starts and crew performance: “It all went well. No stuff ups, no accidents, good competitive racing. And I have to say that the new people in the class acquitted themselves well.”

Tom Quick agreed: “It’s a great fleet of amateur and professional sailors, like the Farr 40 class.”

With guru David Chapman calling the shots “and he’s doing main as well,” Quick said, The Goat crew went in with heads down and tails up, as some got their heads out of the Farr 40 and into the Sydney 38 – very different boats.

”It’s been five years since we sailed a Sydney 38 - so it was a bit different coming back – but it was good. We’re enjoying the boat. It was a nice range of wind – perfect really. We had only one problem; getting a jib up in Race 3 when we were leading. But we got around mark and got it up and still won - no other dramas.

“We chartered The Goat. We have a mix of crew; one from The Goat and some youth sailors from France, the CYCA and one from Lightspeed (the MC38), Zak Quinlan. He’ll go back to them for the rest of the regatta, so today was good practice for him.”

Quick added, “Seems Conspiracy is the boat to beat, but consistency is the key and will be the decider, as it always is in one-design racing. We still have six races to go.”  

Sailing windward/leeward courses on the Manly Circle, Conspiracy pipped Challenge (second at the NSW Championship), Greg Croak’s NSW Central Coast entry, by 27 seconds in the opening race. The Goat took third place, a further 15 seconds in arears.

You could feel class newcomer Peter Sorensen’s frustration, when his recent purchase ‘Advanced Philosophy’ (the former Phoenix, winner of the 2015, ’16 and ‘18 Australian Championships), with Ron Jacobs calling tactics, scored OCS in Race 1. First time jitters, I’m sure, from this local skiff and yacht champion.    

In Race 2, it was Conspiracy getting the gun again, this time from Phil Tomkins’ Adrenalin (CYCA) and The Goat in third.

But in Race 3, The Goat was too ‘Quick’ for the rest, and the CYCA entry took the bullet from Richard Williams’ Calibre, (also CYCA and third at the NSW Championship) by a six second split, with Conspiracy 25 seconds adrift of Calibre.

Day 1 of the Yoti 2019 Sydney 38 Australian Championship was in limbo before the midday start time, when a wafting 2-3 knots was all that could be mustered - a moderate north/easterly breeze filtered in just in time.  

A General Recall started the day, as is sometimes the case in a first race on Day 1 in a high-stakes championship where competitors take the ‘no prisoners’ approach.

Competitors in this popular class know how to celebrate and wind down in style after a day of racing, taking in Norths Happy Hour drinks at MHYC on docking, before a dinner for all crews.

A fleet of 11 Sydney 38 One-Designs are taking part in the three-day Australian Championship, starting off this weekend’s 14^th running of the Sydney Harbour Regatta. It is one of the largest class events for many years, with some new owners and return players from around NSW joining the circuit regulars.

Windward/leeward racing continues on the Manly Circle tomorrow, when officials will aim to put three more races to bed.

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

By Di Pearson, MHYC media

Photos by Andrea Francolini

The Sailing Instructions for the 2019 Sydney Harbour Regatta have now been published.

Regatta Sailing Instructions and separate SIs for the Sydney 38 Australian Championships have been published online at https://www.shr.mhyc.com.au/racing/sailing-instructions.html.

The official noticeboard for the regatta is online at https://www.shr.mhyc.com.au/racing/notices-to-competitors.html, so keep an eye out for notices to competitors here.

First warning signals of the day for each of the classes and divisions are as follows:

• Historic 18 Footers  1414hrs
• Etchells  1330hrs
• Yngling & J24  1230hrs
• All Other Classes & Division  1155hrs

Breezes are looking good for the weekend, so we hope you enjoy the sailing and the competition.

Thankyou to the huge team of race management volunteers across the eight course areas who are giving their time and expertise to make this a great event.

Fabulous prizes await place-getters in Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s (MHYC) Sydney Harbour Regatta, to be held over the first weekend of March - but you have to enter first.  The early entry rate has been extended to February 25, before the late fee kicks in.  There is little time left to be in the running, so act now.

Each class and division winner is eligible for the Grand Prize Draw to win two return Sydney-Auckland Economy airfares courtesy of Air New Zealand, plus two nights’ accommodation, including breakfast, courtesy of Middle Harbour Yacht Club, as part of its 80^th anniversary celebrations. The prize also includes one week complimentary berthing at Abell Point Marina.

Second placegetters are eligible to win two nights’ accommodation with breakfast daily, at the Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens for two people, courtesy of Mercure Resort, plus one week complimentary berthing at Abell Point Marina.

Third placegetters will go into the draw for two weeks of complimentary berthing at Abell Point Marina  plus half a dozen bottles of Robert Oatley wine.

Crew members won’t miss out either, as they could win a $1500 voucher from Helly Hansen. Keep an eye on the regatta website for details on how all crew can register.

The Grand Prize Draws will be held during the Official Presentation, to be conducted at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, on Monday 4 March, 2019. Conditions apply, so please read the Notice to Competitors.

Offering 14 classes to prospective competitors, entries have already surged in some and a TP52 fleet is looking likely. The Super 12s are shaping up nicely. Easy Tiger VI (Chris Way) Lightspeed (Stephen Barlow) and Darkstar (John Bacon) are bringing their MC38s, while Adrian Walters’ speed machine, Little Nico, is entered along with Walter Lewin’s Farr 400, Vento.

“Easy Tiger VI is a recent addition to the Easy Tiger stable,” said Way of his MC38. “She is the previous Menace and this will be the first Super 12 event for her.”

In the Super 30’s, a mix of Flying Tigers, Farr 30’s, Melges 32’s and others, including Andrew York’s champion Reo 7.2, REO Speedwagon, will make this one of the most watched classes. Numbers in the remaining classes are also healthy, with well over 100 boats of varying shapes and sizes already entered for the regatta that takes over Sydney Harbour on the weekend of 2-3 March.

The largest deputation will be found in the Performance Class divisions. Featuring an assortment of designs from Northshores to Jeanneau, Elan and more, it will be tough to make the podium. Among them is a J109 with a story to tell. Carl Braden says, “Blue Sky was destroyed in Hurricane Sandy in 2012 while on the hardstand in New Jersey over winter. I bought the boat and brought it back to life before shipping it Down Under.”

A well-travelled boat, The Culprit Syndicate is bringing She’s the Culprit down from ‘The Lake’, to take on the locals: “She’s earned a reputation of being a very social boat and her mix of experienced and inexperienced offshore sailors are looking forward to the regatta,” says co-owner Glen Picasso of the Inglis-Jones/Hart 39 that has ‘been there and done that’ – many times.

Integrated into the regatta is the Yoti Australian Sydney 38 Championship. Up to a dozen boats are expected to take part and some new players will up the ante, leaving no room for error.  

Representing MHYC is Peter Sorensen, a champion across multiple classes who has purchased Phoenix and re-named the 2018 Australian champion boat Advanced Philosophy. ‘Sorro’ is not known for settling for second best; he’s been in the winner’s circle too many times for that.  

A second MHYC member, Mike Logan, is the proud new owner of Thirlmere, a boat that has won its share of silverware, while Stephen Teudt/Lisa Callaghan from Manly Yacht Club and Cruising Yacht Club of Australia member, Phil Tomkins, have also joined the Sydney 38 class.

“Returning are some familiar faces in Tony Levett (MHYC), who has campaigned TSA Management in 14 Sydney Hobarts with some excellent results - and The Goat - whose crew will include those from Outlaw, the recently named NSW Farr 40 Champion,” says Association President, Peter Byford.

The top four placegetters from November’s NSW Sydney 38 Championship have also signed on: Peter Byford/David Hudson’s Conspiracy (also placed third at the 2018 Australian Championship); Greg and Wade Croak’s Challenge, Richard Williams’ Calibre and Peter Mayo’s Austral.

“It should be very competitive racing,” Byford says of one of the strongest fields for some time.

This year MHYC are working hand-in-hand with Clean Up Sydney Harbour (celebrating its 30^th year) to be held on Sunday 3 March.  Entered yachts in the Sydney Harbour Regatta will be flying Clean Up Australia backstay flags in tandem with Clean Up activities and celebrations .  

The Sydney Harbour Regatta would not be possible without the continued assistance of: the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Manly Yacht Club, RANSA, Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, Sydney Amateur Sailing Club and the Sydney Flying Squadron.

Thanks also go to key sponsors Helly Hansen, Air New Zealand, Robert Oatley Wines and Abell Point Marina, along with supporting sponsors Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens, Smooth FM, Club Marine, Vittoria Coffee and KeySun.

Enter online now - click here

By Di Pearson, MHYC media

All photos by Andrea Francolini

This years Sydney Harbour Regatta is giving one lucky crew member the chance to win a Helly Hansen Prize Pack valued at $1,500! -ENTER HERE

The lucky winner will be presented with Helly Hansen products and vouchers at the Gala Prizegiving on Monday 4th March commencing at 7pm.  
Registrations close at 4pm on Sunday 3rd March 2019.
The winner will be contacted via phone or email in advance.

You must be a registered crew member in the SHR in order to enter this giveaway.

Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC) will hold its annual Sydney Harbour Regatta on the first weekend of March, this year incorporating the Australian Sydney 38 Championship and the NSW J70 Championship, a fitting way to celebrate the Club’s 80^th anniversary.

“We expect to welcome a wide assortment of up to 200 boats in 25 divisions across eight courses for our 14^th edition of the Sydney Harbour Regatta,” said MHYC Commodore, Peter Lewis, of the autumnal event to be held over the weekend of 2-3 March.

“The Notice of Race is published and entry is open online and will close on 25 February,” the Commodore declared of NSW’s largest keelboat regatta. 

“This year we are working hand-in-hand with Clean Up Sydney Harbour (celebrating its 30^th year) to be held on Sunday the 3^rd of March.”

“We are thrilled to have the support of Middle Harbour Yacht Club for the 30^th Anniversary of Clean Up Sydney Harbour,” Terrie-Ann Johnson, Managing Director, Clean Up Australia said.

“It is very fitting that the Sydney Harbour Regatta yachts will be flying Clean Up Australia flags on the same weekend while Clean Up activities and celebrations are happening,” she said.

“It’s a wonderful tribute to the legacy Ian Kiernan AO has left to the community and we thank the Club and competitors for their involvement. We can’t wait to showcase the Harbour together and celebrate the efforts of volunteers who have looked after this beautiful asset for thirty years.”

Although entry is in its early stages, having just officially opened, owners are already signing on, a healthy indication of continued interest in this first major regatta for the year.  

The 2019 Yoti Australian Sydney 38 Championship will be held in conjunction with the Sydney Harbour Regatta on windward/leeward courses over three days from Friday 1 March.

On the weekend, they will be joined by the remainder of the fleets, including the Open Class for IRC and ORCi competitors on offshore courses, including the ‘boats of the moment’ TP52 class.  

In other one-design classes, the mainstays include the Adams 10s, Super 30’s and Cavalier 28s on windward leeward courses.  

A cross section of nippy Sports Boats will also race on windward/leeward courses. The Melges 24 will join them on this course area, as will the one-design J70 class, which will conduct its NSW Championship in conjunction with the Sydney Harbour Regatta.

One-Design Ynglings, Etchells and Dragons will also take part again, as will the Super 12 class, a mixed fleet will including the growing MC38 class and one can’t forget the Historic 18’ Skiffs – these classic yachts are a wonderful reminder of yesteryear and continue to be raced by some big names in the sport.

The Performance Class, with divisions for both Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker create the most colour on the Harbour and their sheer numbers require four divisions. 

It goes without saying that Principal Race Officer Denis Thompson and his race management team will again have a large job on their hands, as will Regatta Director Peter Hemery and the onshore team. Their combined efforts ensure a high-calibre event.

Following racing each day, all are welcome back to the Club’s unique after-racing festivities on the private beach for a sausage sizzle, drinks and music.

This event would not be possible without the continued assistance of: the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Manly Yacht Club, RANSA, Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, Sydney Amateur Sailing Club and the Sydney Flying Squadron.

Thanks also go to key sponsors Helly Hansen, Air New Zealand, Robert Oatley Wines and Abell Point Marina, along with supporting sponsors Smooth FM, Club Marine, Vittoria Coffee and KeySun.

Enter on line now at: www.shr.mhyc.com.au   

By Di Pearson, MHYC media

All photos byAndrea Francolini

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MHYC's next major event is the Sydney Harbour Regatta on the weekend of March 2 & 3.  Visit www.shr.mhyc.com.au for more details.

The dates for the 2018 Sydney Short Offshore Racing Championships and 2019 Sydney Harbour Regatta have been confirmed, so get them in your diary now.

Sydney Short Offshore Racing Championships - November 24 & 25, 2018

2019 Sydney Harbour Regatta - March 2 & 3, 2019

A huge thankyou to the race management volunteers from Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Manly Yacht Club, Royal Australian Naval Sailing Association, Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, Sydney Amateur Sailing Club, Sydney Flying Squadron and Middle Harbour Yacht Club.  

The combined team worked across 8 course areas delivering 58 races for 19 divisions comprising 159 starters.  

What a magnificent cooperative effort to put on some quality racing for a large and diverse fleet over the weekend.  Thankyou!!

To view the Sydney Harbour Regatta Results - click here

To view the Sydney Harbour Regatta Photo Galleries- click here

The 2018 Sydney Harbour Regatta has concluded with Gala Prizegiving Ceremony at Middle Harbour Yacht Club.

A packed Harbour View Room looked on as the podium place-getters in 21 classes and divisions were presented with their trophies and prizes by regatta sponsors.

Winners of the Grand Prize Draw were:

• Air New Zealand Trip for Two to Auckland with Accommodation Voucher - Adams 10 Rock Solid (Mitch Miller MHYC)
• One Month Berthing at Abell Point Marina - Performance Spinnaker Div 1 Kayimai (Rob Aldis MHYC)
• Weekend for Two at Mercure Resort Hunter Valley - Yngling Black Adder (Gary Pearce RSYS)

Expect to see a lot of Cavaliers at Sydney City Marine this winter with all three consolation prizes claimed by the Cavlier class:

• Blind Justice (Stephen O'Halloran CYCA)
• Scuttlebutt (Greg Purcell RSYS)
• Flying Circus (Peter Donnelly SASC)