Fresh Sailing for Centreboard Racing
Session two of the MHYC Centreboard Club Championship continued today, with a gusty fresh to strong westerly providing some seriously challenging conditions. Racing was abandoned after the first race was completed as the base wind increased over 25 knots with gusts more than 30.
Will Wilkinson was first Optimist across the line ahead of Miles Greenwood and Zara Marks. Tyler Dransfield & Jamie Stodart were the only 29er crew to complete the course.
Well done to all the sailors and the race management and safety boat volunteers.
To view the results – click here
For all Centreboard Racing information – click here
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Lively Combined Clubs Inshore Race
MHYC and Manly Yacht Club cooperated to deliver the Combined Clubs Inshore Race today. The forecast fresh conditions kept the number of starters low, but did not disappoint the more adventurous crews who braved the 20-25 knot gusty westerly.
In the Combined Clubs results, the Adams 10s Contentious (Brian Lees) and Another Dilemma (Jim Vaughan) were the best performers with 1st and 3rd in Division 2. In the MHYC Inshore results, Contentious claimed the One Design and PHS win for the Adams 10s. Toy Box 2 (Ian Box) and Stormaway (Jack Stening & Colin Gunn) took the Division 1 & 2 IRC honours. Toy Box 2 (Ian Box), Rumba (Rob Carr, Kerry Burke & Stephanie Cook) claimed the PHS and ORC wins for Divisions 1 & 2. Dania (Peter Charteris) won the Division 3 PHS.
For the MHYC Results - click here
For the Combined Clubs Results - click here
Marg Fraser-Martin was out on the harbour again to capture the action……
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MHYC Centreboard Racing Kicks Off
The MHYC Centreboard Club Championship kicked off today with a moderate easterly for the Optimist and 29ers fleets.
After the three races conducted, Miles Greenwood has an early 1 point lead in the championship from Will Wilkinson, with Heidi Bates in third.
In the 29ers, Sam Stodart & Ed Coates won each race from Sophie Hart & Bella Divola, with Harry Gill & Julian Wilson in third.
Twenty one races are scheduled between now and March.
Thankyou to all the parent race management volunteers who made today's racing go so smoothly.
For the latest results - click here
For all the MHYC Centreboard Racing Info - click here
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Lazy Dog’s back-to-back MC38 nationals victory
By Lisa Ratcliff
Back-to-back national MC38 titles for Shaun Lane and Quentin Stewart’s Lazy Dog was no picnic, hours of floating around Sydney Harbour expectantly on the final day yielding an empty scoresheet which meant victory reverted to day two’s narrow lead of one point over Marcus Blackmore’s Hooligan.
Middle Harbour Yacht Club tried valiantly to get a race away on Sunday November 7 under heavy cloud that quashed the breeze and storms that pulled what little wind there was wildly around the dial. Race officer Steve Tucker finally managed a start after 1pm (the first race was scheduled to start at 11am), only to have the light northerly swing to the south which saw half the fleet sailing from the top mark with kites and the other half sailing to the top mark also with kites.
That race was abandoned and the 1400hrs time limit gave Hooligan no chance to reverse the top order.
Recapping the three-day series Quentin Stewart said: “We felt the boat was quick all weekend. Friday there wasn’t much breeze and it was shifty, and a lot of chop – a tough day’s sailing. Saturday was a glamour with 15 knots out of the nor’east, 16-18 knots for the last race of the day (watch the video), and today was a glass-out.
“I’d like to congratulate the Hooligan guys on a hard-fought weekend – they certainly made it more difficult for us than we would have liked. We haven’t raced for a while and all had moments when we didn’t execute well. Even so, the quality of the fleet is very good and that makes it a pleasure for everyone to sail.”
Olympic and America’s Cup sailor Iain Jensen, who was on mainsheet for Hooligan, said: “It’s always hard to lose by a close margin. Lazy Dog was the stronger team this weekend.” It’s been a few years since Jensen raced with the MC38s and he enjoyed the depth of talent and tight racing this series, adding “the feeling in the class is really good”.
Third place went to InfoTrack skippered by 14-year-old Indy Beck.
Sydney’s extended COVID lockdown over the winter months generated significant turnover in the one design class and a new-look MC38 fleet fronted the nationals, the first hit-out since June.
Out is Chris Dare’s Easy Tiger, Steve Barlow’s Lightspeed and Ross Hennesy’s Ghost Rider. In is a second InfoTrack, helmed at the nationals by Barlow and boasting a who’s who including America’s Cup legend Joey Newton and North Sails’/Black Jack’s Mark Bradford, Matt Hanning’s Thor, and David Wills’ Law Connect.
Hanning finished fifth in his first MC38 regatta, his young team making up for limited time on the water with their pedigree - Australian Sailing Squad 49er sailors Jim Colley (tactics), Shaun Connor and Max Paul plus well-known match racer and SailGP’s James Wierzbowski among Thor’s crew. “It was a COVID purchase inspired by Mitch White who helped me put a team together. This regatta was a lot of fun – it’s a really social class,” Hanning said after racing.
Norse mythology inspired him to name his Beneteau First 53 Odin and now he’s added Thor to the stable.
The 2021 Australian Championship marks the end of a shortened season pointscore that went to the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club-based Hooligan.
MC38 regatta dates for 2022 have been posted on the website https://mc38racing.com/events2022
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MC38Class
Insta: @mc38aus
Website: https://mc38racing.com/
Photos by Tilly McKnight & Marg Fraser-Martin
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Day 1 Photos by Marg Fraser-Martin
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Day 2 Photos by Marg Fraser-Martin
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Day 3 Photos by Marg Fraser-Martin
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Back and Racing on Saturdays
Saturday racing at MHYC finally got underway today with two Inshore Sprints races in a moderate to fresh southerly.
The course for the first race of the day was from near the Grotto Point Mark to the Sow & Pigs Reef with all divisions sailing two laps of the windward-leeward course. On PHS, Infotrack (Christian Beck) took the Division 1 win, Stormaway (Jack Stening & Colin Gunn) were on top in in Div 2 and Escape (Dean Dransfield) won Div 3. MRX (Geoff Pearson) took the ORC win for Div 2 and Innamincka (John Crawford) for Div 3. Stormaway was best on IRC for Div 2 and Innamincka the best J/24 on OD. In the Adams 10 One-Design, Rock Solid (Mitch Miller & Andrew Gunton) was first home ahead of Contentious (Brian Lees) and Sirius (Garth Riley). Contentious took the PHS win.
The breeze had moved left and freshened a little, so the top marks were moved close to South Head for Race 2. Division 3 sailed two laps while the rest sailed three. Infotrack again took the Division 1 PHS win, Galan (Mike Gallagher) was top PHS in in Div 2 and Escape took out Div 3 once again. Wailea (Neil Padden) claimed the ORC win for Div 2 and Innamincka again in Div 3. Stormaway was best on IRC for Div 2 and Waterborne Again ((Marc Tromp) the first J/24 home on OD. In the Adams 10s, it was Contentious from Rock Solid and Sirius on One-Design, with Sirius taking the PHS honours.
Everyone enjoyed getting back on the water and the lively conditions that Saturday provided. A big thankyou to Race Officer Toby Gursanscky and the race management volunteers for two good races.
To view the Divisional Results – click here
To view the Adams 10 Results – click here
Many thanks to Marg Fraser-Martin who was afloat to capture the action on the club’s first day of Saturday racing for the 2021-2022 season.
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MC38 Australian Championships
After four races on Day One of the MC38 Australian Championships, Hooligan from RPAYC is leading the pointscore from MHYC boats Lazy Dog (Shaun Lane & Quentin Stewart) and Infotrack (Indy & Christian Beck). Hooligan is being skippered by Daniel Turner, filling in for owner Marcus Blackmore. Seven more races are scheduled over the next two days.
For the latest results - click here
Day One Photos by Mark Fraser Martin...
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CovidSafe Sailing is Underway!
MHYC’s racing program finally got underway. We are all looking forward to getting back on the water and catching up with our sailing friends again, but need to remember:
- For the time being, any persons over the age of 16 years participating in Community Sport and / or entering indoor facilities at MHYC are required by NSW Public Health Orders to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. All staff and volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated. MHYC may request evidence of vaccination from members or visitors.
- Each yacht is required to register all members of it’s crew participating in any MHYC race. Registration opens on the Monday prior to each event and refreshes every Monday, so it is not possible to register for races for subsequent weeks. Failure to register a crew list before the yachts start time will result in a DSQ score. Go to Crew Registration
- Until further notice, please observe social distancing limits of 2m2 outdoors and 4m2 indoors. Masks are required indoors when not eating or drinking.
- All people attending MHYC are required to sign in using the QR Code displayed at a number of prominent locations.
- While the SandBar Café will open from Tuesday October 26, the expanded deck will not be available until early November.
All of the races that were scheduled between 4 September and 25 October 2021 are abandoned, with the exception of two Adams 10 Inshore Races re-scheduled to 30 October 2021 – see NTC 2021-10-06-1
Online Entry for all Race Series has now opened with race fees adjusted including an allowance for the reduction of race numbers. To enter, go to Online Entry
Attention Wednesday Sailors!
Please remember you are required to check in using the QR Code and must be fully vaccinated to enter the club buildings or participate in club racing. All crew are required to be a current Full, Crew, Intermediate or Youth member of MHYC, a current sailing member of a club affiliated to Australian Sailing, or have a valid SailPass for the day. It is best to purchase a Sail Pass in advance – click here. The prize-giving will be held in the Harbour View room after racing until the SandBar Deck is open.
Attention Thursday Sailors!
Please arrive early as we will be checking vaccination and membership status. Remember you are required to check in using the QR Code and must be fully vaccinated to enter the club buildings or participate in club racing. All crew are required to be a current Full, Crew, Intermediate, Club General or Youth member of MHYC, a current sailing member of a club affiliated to Australian Sailing, or have a valid SailPass for the day. It is best to purchase a Sail Pass in advance – click here. The prize-giving will be held in the Harbour View room until the SandBar Deck is open. Hot food will be available from the SandBar after sailing.
Skippers and Crew Meet and Greet Wednesday 28th September
Skippers & Crew Meet and Greet 7pm on Wednesday 28th September
Looking for crew for the new season? Looking for a crew position? MHYC has arranged a Meet and Greet evening for sailors looking for a crew position on a MHYC Yacht.
The Meet & Greet will be held in the Harbour View Room on Wednesday 28th September at 7.00pm.
Skippers seeking crew for the season will be present so potential crew can meet the skippers and ask further questions. Skippers looking for crew will address the meeting outlining the program for their yacht this season and give an indication of the type of crew they are seeking. The crew can then ask questions of the skipper presenting to make sure they understand what is being sought. After the presentations, the skippers and crew can meet one on one over a drink in the bar.
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone the Sailing Office (9969 1244 Wed-Sat) to advise your intention to attend the Meet & Greet session or if you have any questions.
Read more: Skippers and Crew Meet and Greet Wednesday 28th September
MHYC Centreboard Racing Program 2021-2022
The 2021-2022 program of centreboard racing at Middle Harbour Yacht Club has been announced with release of the MHYC Centreboard Handbook which includes the Season Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions.
The Club Championship Series runs from October 31 and concludes on March 20 with 21 races scheduled. A 12 race Summer Series runs from November to January. In addition, a 21 race Winter Series will extend from May to August next year. Entries are invited for 29er, 420, Optimist and Pacer classes, with other classes added by prior arrangement.
To enter any of the MHYC Centreboard Series, competitors must first complete a boat registration form before submitting their entry. All processes are online via ClubOps / SailorApp.
To download the new MHYC Centreboard Handbook, register your boat and enter one or more series – click here
Skippers and Crew Meet and Greet Wednesday 24th November
Skippers & Crew Meet and Greet 7pm on Wednesday 24th November
Looking for crew for the new season? Looking for a crew position? MHYC has arranged a Meet and Greet evening for sailors looking for a crew position on a MHYC Yacht.
The Meet & Greet will be held in the Harbour View Room on Wednesday 24th November at 7.00pm.
Skippers seeking crew for the season will be present so potential crew can meet the skippers and ask further questions. Skippers looking for crew will address the meeting outlining the program for their yacht this season and give an indication of the type of crew they are seeking. The crew can then ask questions of the skipper presenting to make sure they understand what is being sought. After the presentations, the skippers and crew can meet one on one over a drink in the bar.
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone the Sailing Office (9969 1244 Tues-Sat) to advise your intention to attend the Meet & Greet session or if you have any questions.
Read more: Skippers and Crew Meet and Greet Wednesday 24th November
ORC Information Session on October 20
Chris Zonca, Australian Sailing Ratings Manager, will provide a online presentation about ORC and ORC Club to MHYC keelboat owners on Wednesday 20 October at 6pm.
In Australia, ORC certificates are issued with either 'International (ORCi)' measurements taken by an official measurer or 'self-declared (ORCc)' measurements, the latter being labelled as a 'Club Certificate'. Racing with a self-declared Club Certificate is relatively inexpensive and a simple option to begin racing under a ratings format.
An ORC rating can help a boat and its crew understand the potential of a boat's performance, including providing information on target speeds across a range of wind speeds and angles, as well as providing an excellent platform for racing a variety of designs together fairly. From 2021, a boat can now be issued an ORC Certificate in three different configurations - with spinnaker, non-spinnaker and two-handed.
For the 2021-2022 sailing season, MHYC has introduced an ORC Club pointscore for the Saturday divisional racing (Inshore Series & Ocean Series) in addition to the existing IRC and PHS handicap categories.
All are invited to join the videoconference find out more about ORC ratings and have your questions answered.
To join the Zoom Videoconference on Wednesday 20 October at 6pm - CLICK HERE