Sydney to Pittwater Good Friday Race
The annual Manly Yacht Club Sydney to Pittwater Good Friday Race is on again.
Being held on the 18th of April in 2025, the race has a progressive start if there is light wind in the harbour and finishes off Royal Motor Yacht Club (RMYCBB). One night’s berthing is included in the race entry fee. An excellent party is held afterwards in the RMYC Bistro (they are great hosts) for crews, friends, and family who often drive up to participate.
For those who want to explore and cruise the expansive waters of Broken Bay and Pittwater over the Easter break, Royal Motor is a perfect place to embark.
To download the Notice of Race – click here
Online Entry is now open – click here
Vale David “Mossy” Moss
David “Mossy” Moss - 1952 to 2025
It is with great sadness to report that David Moss, a long-term member of MHYC for 38 years recently passed away after a long hard fight to overcome his heart issues.
In his younger years, David sailed on many boats including the yacht Timeout with Colin Boyle and Craig Nichols when they broke their mast on the Southport race. He sailed with the same team on the Sydney 38 yacht On the Boil.
For a long time he crewed on Lindsay Rose’s Ruff and Tumble which is where he met his wife Anne Jarvis in the early 90’s.
For many years he was a regular Wednesday crew on Gunther Shmidt-Linder’s yacht Austmark – when of course he was not happily tripping around the world with his beloved partner Anne. It was hard to catch up with their many adventures.
David was a proud medical/warrant officer in the Australian Navy and in recent years became the president of the Dee Why RSL sub- branch. After retirement he worked with St John’s Ambulance organisation.
We will always remember David as someone who was always willing to help out where needed and always did so with his special smile.
MHYC extends its sympathies to David’s family and his many friends. There will be a celebration of his life at His life will be celebrated at Dee Why RSL on Wednesday, 19th March at 2.00 pm
Julie Hodder
2025-2028 Racing Rules of Sailing now published
The 2025-2028 edition of the Racing Rules of Sailing with Australian Sailing’s prescriptions have now been published.
To download a copy, and also download the World Sailing Study Version of the 2025-2028 RRS, visit the Australian Sailing Rules Hub at https://www.sailingresources.org.au/rules-hub/rrs/
As there have been a number of changes to rule numbers in the new edition of the rules, a series of minor amendments have been made to the MHYC series race documents. These changes are advised in a Notice to Competitors with links to the affected documents. See https://mhyc.com.au/images/Sailing/2024-2025/Keelboat_Racing/NoticesToCompetitors/NTC-2024-12-12-1-AmendmentstoMHYCRaceDocuments.pdf
Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta 20 year celebrations!
The Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta is in two weekend’s time and Middle Harbour Yacht Club has extended early entry to 25 February and revealed some prizes for the 20th 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 20th 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
Read more: Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta 20 year celebrations!
Australia Day Regatta
The Australia Day Regatta has been celebrated on Sydney Harbour for the past 189 years.
It is the oldest continuously run annual sailing event in the world and has sustained that longevity by responding to the historic changes in water sports, and in our society. The desire among sailing folk to mark the day — based as it around a celebration of community, inclusiveness — and being at one with nature out on the water — is unshakeable.
To download the program - click here
Information and links to the Entry Form and Notice of Race are available at www.australiadayregatta.com.au
Sailing legend returns to Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta on eve of his 99th birthday

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 99th birthday.
A regular at the event, Ingate confirmed, “Yes, I’ll be 99 on 29 March, which will put me in my 100th year.” It is a fitting way to celebrate the event’s 20th 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 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
Storm and Heavy Weather Sails Interpretation Issued
An interpretation to Special Regulation 4.24 has been issued by Australian Sailing addressing requirements and the purpose of storm and heavy weather sails.
The use of staysails has increased and the use of storm and heavy weather sails as staysails has become common practice to reduce the number of sails required to be carried on board. Without better understanding of the purpose of storm sails, there is concern that the design and build of these sails is focused more on their performance as a staysail, than the requirements of a storm or heavy weather sail.
The interpretation establishes a clear purpose for storm and heavy weather sails clarifies their primary role as safety equipment. The interpretation is also aligned with Word Sailing’s position.
In short:
- Storm sails shall be designed to provide propulsion and steerage in 34-40 knots (Beaufort scale 8) and on all points of sail.
- Heavy weather sails shall be designed to provide propulsion and steerage in 22-27 knots (Beaufort scale 6) and on all points of sail.
To see the full article on the Australian Sailing Website including links to interpretations and the Safety Hub - CLICK HERE
Read more: Storm and Heavy Weather Sails Interpretation Issued
Don’t wait - enter now for 2025 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta
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
Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta 2024 photos by Andrea Francolini
Read more: Don’t wait - enter now for 2025 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta
Winners finalised at Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship
Two offshore windward/leeward races at the 2024 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC) decided the SSORC champions for this year in conditions that were as brilliant as yesterday’s, with more sunshine and a north-easterly sea breeze beckoning.
Today’s start was north of Sow and Pigs Reef on Sydney Harbour, set by Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC), organiser of the SSORC. The three divisions were away from 11am.
Two divisions raced in the Premier IRC/ORC Premier class and in both, others toppled Day 1’s leaders.
Bob Cox won both today’s Division 1 races, adding to his third of yesterday to win the Division. One can never underestimate Cox and his DK46 Nine Dragons, as they are well known for coming from behind to take the crown.
Khaleesi, the other DK46, came into the day in second place and finished that way. Fourth and second places today were enough for MHYC Commodore, Rob Aldis, to hold on. Day 1 leader, David Ross’s Kukukerchu, finished third overall after scoring third and fifth places on his Cape 31. Just four points separated the top three, indicating just how close the racing was.
“The boat likes IRC and it likes windward/leewards,” Cox said. “The boat on boat battle was Khaleesi versus Nine Dragons and they got their nose in front on Saturday. We fought back today and opened the gap. In the last race, we literally crossed the line within a boat length. This is the best Khaleesi has done on windward/leeward courses.
“It was a good fleet in Division 1, with dramatically different types of yachts. You could see the planing boats doing the job in the distance races while we’re better on the windward/leewards,” Cox said.
It is incredible Cox can sail at all after breaking his neck and ribs just six months ago, but the tough 79-year-old explained, “The crew help me out. I love my sailing and I’ve got a great crew who help me on and off the boat - and around it. Today was quite rough, but it was rough yesterday too, so I had a couple of short stints at the helm only.
“Thanks to the organisers, they did their usual good job,” Cox ended.
A similar story in Division 2, as Matt Wilkinson fared better on the windward/leeward course too, with his Farr 30, Foreign Affair. Wilkinson toppled yesterday’s leader, Bullwinkle, from the top spot after winning both races. Bullwinkle, Peter Farrugia’s Bull 9000, claimed second place overall with fourth and second places today.
Neil Padden maintained the status quo with Wailea, his Beneteau First 40.7. Padden started the day in third place and finished it that way, courtesy of second and third places.
Wilkinson said the first race of the day was in similar conditions to yesterday, “But the second race got a bit soft. It felt weird, it went down to 10-11 knots, which wasn’t as much fun.
“It was bit bumpy, probably felt more so because there wasn’t as much breeze.
“We had a great day anyway. The Bullwinkles are good mates with us – they got us yesterday – so it was good to get them back today. You couldn’t have asked for a better weekend. I love the SSORC, I’ve done it, I can’t remember how many times,” Wilkinson finished.
Hooligan kept up the pressure by winning both windward/leeward races in the TP52s, scored under TPR, adding to yesterday’s second place. Marcus Blackmore, who is away, will be exceptionally pleased with his crew and nominated skipper, Martin Hill.
After winning yesterday’s TP52 race under TPR, Craig Neil’s Quest placed second and Mark Spring’s Highly Sprung took out third place, coming in over the top of Zen in the day’s two races, the latter finishing fourth.
The Super 50 division, where the TP52s were also included, was scored under IRC. Hooligan finished in the top spot again. Craig Neil’s Quest and Gordon Ketelebey’s Zen were second and third respectively coming into the day and finished up the same way.
Blackmore’s boats are always hard to beat, no matter the combination of races, as Hill explains:
“Again, you have to say, the boat is beautifully prepared and the team Marcus has created is second to none. We had Malcolm Page as tactician and he sailed with me in the Farr 40. It was good to get the old team back together. Richie Allanson and others are aboard, they’re all good.”
Of the opportunity he was given by Blackmore, Hill, a solid skipper across many classes, said, “I’ll make sure Marcus has my number on speed dial, because I’d do it again in an instant. I’ve even got bruises of honour where I bashed into the wheel in the seaway.
“Coming past North Head and surfing down waves was fantastic. They’re such fast boats,” Hill ended.
The TP52s and all others who took part in the 47th running of the SSORC enjoyed the weekend, especially knowing that the warm sun and north-easterlies mean summer is here early.
For full results and all information on the SSORC, please visit: www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au
Di Pearson/MHYC media
Photos by Andrea Francolini
Read more: Winners finalised at Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship
Get ready for the Annual Barefoot Ball - Rock the Dock!
Dance through the decades barefoot on the beach with live music that will keep you on your toes all night!
Enjoy a complimentary drink on arrival. Delicious food and cocktails will be available for purchase.
Dress in your favourite music decade and let the good times roll!
CLICK HERE to book online
Read more: Get ready for the Annual Barefoot Ball - Rock the Dock!
Seven Islands Race
The Seven Islands Race was sailed yesterday while the offshore fleet in the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship headed off to Lion Island. Sunny conditions and a fresh north easterly were perfect for the full course to Cockatoo, Spectacle and Snapper Islands west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Congratulations to Peter Charteris and the crew of Kailani, the first boat home and winners in Division 1. Don Colantonio, with his new boat Trilogy, finished second ahead of Derek Minihane and Impulse. In Divisioon 2, Susan Rice claimed the win with the Jeanneau 349 Nawi, ahead of Martyn Colebrook's Slac-N-Off and John Crawford's Innamincka.
To view the results - click here
Marg Fraser Martin photos
Andrea Francolini photos