Everyone loves a good 21st birthday bash, so get set to join in by entering the 2026 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, as the event celebrates its 21st anniversary on the weekend of 7 and 8 March.
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Andrea Francolini, MHYC pic
Online entry is open and the Notice of Race online for the ‘21st’ of the largest keelboat regatta in NSW that continues to attract boats from NSW and interstate for the first of the autumn regattas.
Adding to the celebrations, Ian Box, Special Events Chair for organiser Middle Harbour Yacht Club, says, “We welcome Nautilus Marine Insurance for a fourth year as Naming Rights Partner for the Sydney Harbour Regatta.
“Our partnership with Nautilus Marine continues to strengthen and is highly regarded and valued.”
Box added, “Yachting Holidays, the Australian booking agent for Sunsail, has come on board as a major sponsor, offering the opportunity for one lucky competitor to sail the Greek Islands, while Zhik and Kieser continue their valued support of the event.”
A new addition in 2026 is the Super Cruiser Racer Group, opening the door for the likes of Caol Ila (Walter Carpenter’s Marten 67), Odin (Matthew Hanning’s Beneteau First 53), Xanthus (Matthew Fifield’s X-55), Triton (David Gotze’s Lyons/Cawse 60), Antipodes (Geoff Hill’s Santa Cruz 72), Sydney (Charles Curran’s Murray 60) and Shearwater (Guido Belgiorno-Nettis’ striking Frers 57).
Racing for the Super Cruiser Racers has been tailored to suit, taking in two inshore-offshore races on the first day and to finish off on Sunday, an offshore passage race will be held in conjunction with the Super 50 (TP52) fleet.
As it has in the past at this regatta, the Sydney 38 class will contest its NSW Championship and will experience quality racing via two offshore windward/leeward races on the opening day and three inshore windward/leewards on the Sunday. It will come down to the best performed in the two different environs.
David Hudson and Peter Byford’s Conspiracy has held sway in the class for some years, but was beaten for the 2024 NSW Championship by Challenge, only to bounce back to claim the 2025 title from Mondo and Colin Gunn/Jack Stening’s Gusto.
Among those who continue to make inroads is Lisa Callaghan and Stephen Teudt’s Mondo, which recently topped the S38 One-Design class and placed second in Division 4 of the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart. Callaghan is hungry to capitalise on that result.
The annual regatta will also incorporate the Fareast 28R Australian Championships, the Cavalier 28 NSW Championships and the Super 30 Cup (Melges 32, Farr 30 etc).
Nobody is left out, as there are the One-Design classes in the Etchells, J/70, J/24, Adams 10, VX-One and Super 40 (MC38s and others of that ilk), an Open Class (IRC and ORC), Performance Class (Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker divisions), Classic Keelboats and the Historic 18’ Skiffs which race on Saturday only.
A mammoth undertaking, due to its large number, classes and divisions at the regatta will be split to race on seven course areas, courtesy of MHYC and eight supporting clubs, overseen again by Principal Race Officer, Denis Thompson accompanied by volunteers from around NSW.
Rob Aldis, Commodore of MHYC says, “We expect around 180 boats racing in 17 divisions across seven course areas on Sydney Harbour and offshore in the vicinity of Sydney Heads.
“It will be exciting for those sailing and for the spectators on the water and onshore,” he promises.
Socially after racing each day, Aldis says, “This year’s event is guaranteed to be a wonderful festival of fun. With a beach party planned on Saturday evening, everyone will be well entertained! It’s a must do event to be noted in your social calendar.”
Entries close at 23.59 hours on Tuesday 3 March 2026. After ‘Close of Entries’, any additional entries shall be made in writing and may only be accepted at the discretion of the Organising Authority, so enter now.
To enter and for Notice of Race, please visit: https://www.shr.mhyc.com.au
Di Pearson/MHYC media
