Entry is open for Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s 13th Sydney Harbour Regatta and competitors will have an opportunity to win the grand prize – a return trip for two to Auckland inclusive of a $500 accommodation voucher courtesy of Air New Zealand.
To be held over the weekend of 3-4 March on Sydney Harbour and its surrounds, entry and Notice of Race for the Sydney Harbour Regatta are available online now.
Winners of each division will receive a divisional prize and go in the draw for the grand prize donated by Air New Zealand. Second placed yachts in each division will also receive a divisional prize and go into the draw for a voucher for one month free berthing at Abell Point Marina at Airlie Beach in the Whitsunday Islands.
For third placegetters in each division, there is a divisional prize and a draw for two nights’ accommodation for two people at the Mercure Resort Hunter Valley, including breakfast.
To be eligible for all prizes, there must be six or more entrants in each class/division. Divisional winners names will be added to the significant perpetual trophies commissioned for this event and prizes will include Helly Hansen apparel.
The Yngling keelboat class will hold its NSW Championship at the Sydney Harbour Regatta, ahead of Yngling Worlds to be held on Lake Garda in July. Some of Australia’s most decorated names have graced and won in the class, among them Olympians Nicky Bethwaite, Karyn Gojnich, Krystal Weir, Neville Witty and Melanie Dennison.
“The Ynglings really enjoy racing at the Sydney Harbour Regatta and being involved,” triple Olympian Karyn Gojnich said of NSW’s largest keelboat regatta. “Our team (on Evie) are doing the event and we’re hoping to have a strong fleet to sail against,” added, Gojnich, a Vice President of the Oceania Sailing Federation (OSAF).
As in the past, current and multiple Australian and NSW champion, Hamish Jarrett’s Miss Pibb, go head-to-head with Gojnich, a past National and state champion who finished runner-up at the 2017 NSW Championship.
Officials are expecting a good showing as summer racing winds down and makes way for the first autumn regatta when the weather is sublime and the Harbour awash with Sydney Harbour Regatta entrants ranging from sports boats to one design keelboats and yachts of varying sizes and speeds - from small non-spinnaker entrants to the fastest IRC racing machines.
Popular classes at the annual event are: Open Class in IRC and ORCi (will sail on windward/leeward courses); Performance Class Spinnaker, Non-Spinnaker and Classics; Sydney 36; Sydney 38; MC8; Farr 40; Adams 10; Dragon; Etchells; Melges 20, 24 and 32; J70; VX-One, J70 and 5.5m One Design classes; Super 12; Sports Boats; Cavalier 28,
Performance Class (Super 30); Production Boats and Historic 18ft Skiffs.
In other words, Principal Race Officer Denis Thompson and his race management team will have their work cut out again, as will Regatta Director Peter Hemery and the shoreside crew, as they work hand-in-hand to preserve the high-quality of this regatta.
“We’re looking forward to hosting the Yngling NSW Championship and to seeing a growth in the increasingly popular Super 12 Division,” MHYC Commodore, Peter Lewis said.
“We welcome back all other classes that make the Sydney Harbour Regatta the exceptional event it is and invite competitors and their family and friends back to the Club each day and evening,” he said.
Ashore, breakfast is offered each morning with a grill and sausage sizzle on the beach in front of the Club. Following racing each afternoon, who could resist the entertainment provided by the Club on the beach? A great way to catch up with fellow crews over drinks or relax on the upper deck where the bar and Harbourview Bistro will be open.
The official prize giving cocktail party will be held at MHYC on the Monday evening, 5 March, allowing all placegetters and competitors a chance to be there with their crews.
For ‘Early Bird’ entries received prior to 2359hrs on 9 February 2018, a substantial saving will be made. All entries will close at 2359 hours on Monday 19 February 2018. After that time, additional entry shall be made in writing and may only be accepted at the discretion of the Organising Authority and will attract an additional cost - see the NoR for full details.
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 Air New Zealand, Abell Point Marina, Helly Hansen, Sydney City Marine, Robert Oatley Wines and Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens for their continued support. Other sponsors this year are KeySun and Club Marine.
Enter on line now - click here
By Di Pearson, MHYC media
Sydney Harbour Regatta 2017 Images by Andrea Francolini
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