Australia Day Regatta 2026

The Australia Day Regatta will be held on Monday 26 January 2026 on the waters of Sydney Harbour. Owners of ocean-racing monohull yachts are also invited to participate in the City of Sydney Sesquicentenary Ocean Race to Botany Bay and return.

The Organising Authority for the Harbour race is the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (RSYS) and for the Ocean race, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, both on behalf of the Australia Day Regatta Management Committee.

To download the Notice of Race for the 190th Australia Day Regatta - click here

To download the Program for the 190th Australia Day Regatta - click here

Read more: Australia Day Regatta 2026

Free Get Checked Days

Saturday 27 June & Sunday 9 August 2026

• Free Equipment Audits
• Fire Extinguisher testing and replacement
• Measurement for ORC Club certificates

MHYC holds a two Free Get Checked Days for Equipment Audits each year, allowing Club Members the perfect opportunity to have their boats audited prior to the new sailing season commencing free of charge.  The dates for the 2026-2027 season free audits are Saturday 27th June and Sunday 9th August 2026.  Bookings for an equipment audit are to be arranged directly through the MHYC Sailing Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. – book early.  For information about how to present the boat and layout equipment, visit the Special Regulations page – click here.

Fire extinguisher testing or replacement will be available at the club on the morning of the Get Checked Days from 9am - 12noon. For more information contact Craig Condon on 0413 627 047 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Inflatable PFDs can be serviced by Your Boat Manager with drop-off and pick-up at the MHYC Marina Office. PFDs will collected on Monday mornings and take up to two weeks for return. Please label all PFDs clearly with your details. Get in early to avoid delays in the lead up to the Free Get Checked Days by contacting Chris Wells on 0432 228 494 to book in.  If you need PFDs inspected urgently, contact SOS Marine at Botany on 02 9700 0233 and arrange to delivery and collection personally.

For owners wanting to obtain an ORC Club Certificate, assistance with measurement and guidance with the application form will be available on the Get Checked days.  If you would like some help with obtaining an ORC Club Certificate, email the MHYC Sailing Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Read more: Free Get Checked Days

80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

Congratulations to all the MHYC members that competed in the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

Results for MHYC boats were:

• Carlos Aydos' S&S 34 Crux – 1st in PHS Corinthian Overall, 4th in IRC Corinthian Overall, IRC Corinthian and IRC Division 6, and 6th Overall on IRC
• Flying Fish’s McIntyre 55 Arctos – 3rd in PHS Division 1 and 9th on PHS Overall
• Matt Hayes' Italia 1298 Veloce - 4th in PHS Division 1 and 10th PHS Overall
• Elizabeth Tucker’s Class 40 First Light – the only all-female crew and 9th in IRC Division 2

Results for the yachts from other clubs berthed at MHYC were:

• Sydney 38 Mondo (Lisa Callaghan MYC) – 1st Sydney 38, 2nd in IRC Division 2, 11th IRC Corinthian Overall and 23rd IRC Overall
• X55 Pacific Road Xanthus (Matt Fifield RSYS) – 4th in IRC Division 3 and 36th IRC Overall
• Farr 277 Unicoin (Peter Bremner M16SSC) - Retired

For all the results, visit https://rolexsydneyhobart.com/race/2025/results

Thanks to Andrea Francolini and Rolex for the cracking photo of Elizabeth Tucker's First Light.

Read more: 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

​​​​​​​Winter Sailing Options

It will be a while before September and the commencement of the 2026-2027 Sailing Season comes along, but MHYC members have a variety of options for sailing during the intervening winter months. 

Saturday Sailing

MHYC Series

Feature Events – Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker Pursuit Races starting at 1230hrs

• 25 April – ANZAC Day Two Up Cup
• 23 May – Autumn Sail
• 20 June – Welcome to Winter
• 18 July – Christmas in July
• NOR - Click Here

Sydney Harbour Sprint Series – Three windward leeward races each day starting at 1200hrs

• 9 May
• 13 June
• 11 July
• SHSS Webpage - Click Here

Leading Edge Pursuit Series - Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker Pursuit Races starting at 1230hrs

• 1 August
• 8 August
• 15 August
• 22 August
• 29 August
• Schedule & SIs - Click Here

Combined Clubs Winter Series

The Combined Clubs Winter Series is open to Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker entries incorporating a Full Series of 12 races and a Short Series of 6 races. None of the CCWS Short Series races conflict with MHYC racing dates. The Series is expected to extend from Saturday 2^nd May to 25^th July with races starting at 12:30pm.  The NOR and SIs are yet to be published but will become available on the SailSys Combined Clubs portal – Click Here

Sunday Sailing

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Winter Series

Comprising 12 races in total, the CYCA Winter Series attracts a large and diverse fleet.  Three of the races form the Women’s Winter Series.  For information – Click Here

Manly Yacht Club Winter Series

The Manly Winter Series consists of six pursuit races scheduled from May to July starting at 12 noon. Spinnaker and non-spinnaker entries are welcomed.  For information – Click Here

Northbridge Sailing Club Winter Series

Northbridge Sailing Club offer a Winter Series of six non-spinnaker pursuit races west of the Spit Bridge scheduled from May to August starting at 12 noon. The Spit Bridge opens at 11:30am and 2:30pm.  For information – Click Here

Races & Regattas

Sydney – Gold Coast Race

Scheduled to start on Saturday 25^th July, the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race kicks off the CYC’s Blue Water Pointscore for 2026-2027.  For information – Click Here

Airlie Beach Race Week

Held from 6-13 August in conjunction with the onshore Whitsundays Festival of Sailing, Airlie Beach Race Week event mixes six days of offshore yacht racing with seven nights of socialising and entertainment at the Whitsunday Sailing Club.  For information – Click Here

Hamilton Island Race Week

Scheduled from 15 - 22 August, Hamilton Island Race Week has earned its reputation as Australia’s largest offshore keelboat regatta, drawing an international fleet and delivering a celebration of sailing and island lifestyle.  For information – Click Here

Magnetic Island Race Week

Racing in the popular SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week will take place from 27 August to 2 September.  A record eight minutes was all it took for the limited entry spots to sell-out in 2026.  For information – Click Here

2025 Winter Sailing at MHYC
Photos by David Staley

Read more: ​​​​​​​Winter Sailing Options

Good luck to the Yachts and Sailors off to Hobart

It is not long now to the start of the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and we wish all the Middle Harbour Yacht Club boats and sailors a safe passage and good racing.

MHYC boats entered include First Light, Elizabeth Tucker’s Class 40, which is the sole yacht entered with an all-female crew, Matt Hayes' Italia 1298 Veloce, Carlos Aydos' S&S 34 Crux competing in the two-handed, and Flying Fish’s McIntyre 55 Arctos skippered by Drew Hultin-Smith. Best wishes also to the yachts from other clubs berthed at MHYC – Sydney 38 Mondo (Lisa Callaghan MYC), Farr 277 Unicoin (Peter Bremner M16SSC), X55 Pacific Road Xanthus (Matt Fifield RSYS), Cookson 12 Trouble & Strife (Matt Williams QLD) and the Class 40 Vixen Racing (NZL).

A number of MHYC members will be joining the crews of various boats for the trip south. Good luck all!

Website & Yacht Tracker - www.rolexsydneyhobart.com

Photo of First Light by Bow Caddy Media

Read more: Good luck to the Yachts and Sailors off to Hobart

MHYC Womens Sailing Forum on 25 February

Middle Harbour Yacht Club has an active group of women sailors who participate in every aspect of the sport and club. We also aim to provide additional opportunities for women to expand their sailing skills and experience through our club program.

MHYC Womens Sailing Forum on 25 February

A Womens Sailing Forum will be held on Wednesday 25 February commencing at 6pm in the Harbour View Room.

Come along to hear from:

• Erica Kirby - National Judge and Umpire – Officiating and the Rules
• Belinda Parks – Bow on Mondo, winner of the Rolex Sydney Hobart 2025 Sydney 38 Division
• Catherine Thornton-Rofe – J/24 Owner / Skipper and Manly Yacht Club Vice-Commodore
• Bridin Murnion - Adams 10 Owner

There will be plenty of opportunity for questions and presentations will be followed by an open forum, then stay on for a catch-up with the other participants. Nibbles will be provided.

If you plan to come along, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Read more: MHYC Womens Sailing Forum on 25 February

Safe Disposal of Marine Flares

Marine flares contain explosive materials and must be disposed of safely and legally after use or by their use-by date.  They must NOT be disposed of in regular rubbish at MHYC or anywhere else.

The NSW Government runs a mobile flares collection program during peak boating season. Upcoming flare disposal points include...

Sunday, 18 January 2026 from 10:30am to 12:30am

Maritime Office, 33 James Craig Drive, Rozelle

Saturday, 24 January 2026 from 7:30am to 9:00am

Tunks Park Boat Ramp, Brothers Avenue, Cammeray

Saturday, 24 January 2026 from12:30pm to 2;00pm

Maritime Office, 33 James Craig Road, Rozelle

Sunday, 25 January 2026 from 12:00 noon – 5:00pm

Bayview Boat Ramp (Rowland Reserve), Pittwater Road, Bayview

For further information from NSW Maritime - click here

Read more: Safe Disposal of Marine Flares

Sail as part of Team MHYC

There are opportunities for MHYC yachts to compete as part of a team in events during March and April……..

2026 Interclub Challenge

The 2026 Inter Club 40 Challenge will include three events scored on ORC:

• RPAYC Pittwater Regatta 13-15 Feb 2026 – 3 inshore races over two days (14-15 Feb) as part of the Pittwater Cup (Cat 7) 
• MHYC Sydney Harbour Regatta 7-8 March 2026 – 4 inshore races over two days as part of the Performance Spinnaker Division 1 (Cat 7) - NOR
• NCYC Sail Port Stephens 24-26 April 2026 – combination of Passage, W/L, Inshore and Offshore Racing (Cat 5) - NOR

Club teams can have the same or different boats at different events.  RPAYC and NCYC already have a couple of teams and we are hoping to field at least one team for each event if possible. 

Eligibility for the boats in the club team events are:

• Cat 7 for Events 1 & 2 and Cat 5 for Event 3
• ORCc or ORCi All Purpose Spinnaker certificate
• LOA 35-45ft
• ORC All Purpose time correction factor (time on time) between 1.1670 – 1.2656
• hold a valid ORC certificate (ORCi or ORCclub)
• DLR between 4.0400 – 5.9800
• Note that boats not meeting these criteria may be accepted at the discretion of the OA 

If you are interested in being part of the MHYC Team in any of these regattas, please contact the Sailing Office - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 8969 3103.

Read more: Sail as part of Team MHYC

Back 2 Black and Wailea reign supreme in Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship

Sean Langman’s Back 2 Black won all three races of the 2025 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC) to claim Division 1 after a weekend of racing, while Neil Padden’s  Beneteau First 40.7 won Division 2, due to consistent results.

Back 2 Black’s clean sheet in the Middle Harbour Yacht Club hosted event, has been a morale booster, as Josh Alexander said after winning both offshore windward/leeward races.

“It was a good day again. The crew work was pretty good in the lead up and yes, it has given us a boost,” Alexander said.

“The boat has performed really well, but it’s still a learning curve for the crew. Sean bought the yacht in Europe and her first racing was at the Admirals Cup. This (the SSORC) is our first Australian regatta,” explained Alexander. “It’s a quick little boat and planes well downwind.”

Both races today consisted of two upwind and two downwind legs, Alexander saying, “It was lumpy outside the Heads, as it usually is. We sailed in a stable 14 to-16 knots though.”  Next up for Back 2 Black is the Cabbage Tree Island Race and then the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart.

Bob Cox may have relinquished the title he’s won for the past four years with Nine Dragons, his DK46, but second place in Division 1 is nothing to sneeze at and shows how consistently well Cox sails, no matter the competition, which ramped up a couple of notches this year, with the likes of Back 2 Black, Victoire and others.  

Cox scored a pair of second places on the windward/leewards to secure second from Darryl Hodgkinson’s Carkeek 40, Victoire, which finished just one point in arrears of Nine Dragons. Hodgkinson, who won the 2013 Sydney Hobart with a previous Victoire, sealed third place overall by finishing third in yesterday’s Lion Island Race.

“We had an exceptional crew on a miraculous 20-year-old IRC boat,” Cox said ashore this afternoon. “The DK is a vintage boat, but a fantastic boat.”

On the contrast in weather over the two days, Cox said, “It was windy and bumpy on first day and you can’t top those planing boats on a reaching course. We came good in the windward/leewards and had some great racing with the top notch boats. Sailing the angles got us ahead of the others.

“Yesterday I fell over on my back and couldn’t get up – so a couple of the crew came back and picked me up! I have a little problem with my stability in a seaway, but the crew were very good, I’m proud of them.”

At 80, with his health not the best it could be, Cox never gives up. He’s a great role model. “It’s a sport I love with good camaraderie. Better than sitting at home watching the world go by,” he  said.

Division 2 went the way of Neil Padden and his Beneteau First 40.7, Wailea, from Crazy Diamond, John Bacon’s Melges 32. Third place went to last year’s winner, Matt Wilkinson’s Farr 30, Foreign Affair.

Padden said this afternoon, referring to the mix of races, “I think the system here is right. We were conservative yesterday in difficult conditions and that paid off for us. Getting the boat around the course to the finish was key. Today we didn’t do as well, but sailing consistently did pay.

“Before the regatta, I said we normally prefer inshore racing as opposed to a passage race, but I have to say, I like the variety of the mix of the two styles of racing.

“We are very pleased and happy with our win. Both the boats behind us sailed very well,” Padden concluded.

Both Crazy Diamond and Foreign Affair were early retirees from yesterday’s race.

Crazy Diamond’s Darren ‘Twirler’ Jones explained, “It was too windy for the Melges. We don’t have reefing capabilities and even sailing with a No 4 headsail, it was too much with gusts up to 40 knots, so we decided rather than ruin sails we’d save them for the nice nor easter today.

“The Melges are very tricky boats to sail. I’m lucky, because I’ve sailed them a long time and when you get them going they’re hard to beat.”

On beating Foreign Affair, Jones remembered, “Matt bought the boat from Richard Perini, who won the Mumm 30 Worlds with it.” Jones should know, he was aboard as main trimmer for Perini. “It gets around the course well. Like the Melges, they’re a very good boat too.

“The SSORC was a good regatta for us. We did a Super 40 event before this and decided to do the SSORC to keep us in the game. It’s a good option series, because you get a passage race and sailing windward/leewards out the Heads. It’s something a little different and keeps our eye on the game. Moving forward, we’re sailing in the Super 40 class again soon, so it’s all good practice.”

Today’s racing brought the 48^th SSORC to a close.

For full results and all information, please visit: www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au 

Di Pearson/MHYC media

Read more: Back 2 Black and Wailea reign supreme in Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing...