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
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 48th SSORC to a close.
For full results and all information, please visit: www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au
Di Pearson/MHYC media
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Fresh conditions for MHYC Women’s Regatta
The MHYC Women’s Regatta was sailed in a fresh to strong north-easterly under sunny skies on Sunday. Kathy Johnston and the MHYC Race Management Team completed the full program of two sprint races followed by a longer passage race that doubled as Race 2 of the Sydney Harbour Women’s Keelboat Series. The stronger breezes tested the spinnaker work but provided some exciting racing.
It Happens (Nicole Savage Goddresse - CYCA) claimed the Overall win for Division 1 ahead of Sirius (Kate Leeson – MYC). In Division 2 Overall, Alcamy (Ruth Lawrence – RANSA) to the win from Kaotic (Catherine Thornton-Rofe – MYC) and Silky (Eloise Clarke – RANSA). Alcamy and Kaotic were first and second in the All Female sub-series pointscore, with Cool Runnings (Jade Tokarczyk – MHYC) third. Best in the Female Helm sub-series were It Happens for Division 1 and Silky for Division 2. Winners of the passage race and SHWKS Race 2 were Blink (Ashleigh Larkin – CYCA) in Div 1 and Alcamy (Ruth Lawrence – RANSA) in Div 2.
A big thankyou to Marg Fraser-Martin for all the images.
MHYC Women’s Regatta Results - click here
Sydney Harbour Women’s Keelboat Series Results - click here
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Wind gods in force at Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship
Every sailor loves a bit of breeze, but some bit off more than they could chew on Day 1 of the 2025 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC) and the Seven Islands Race, when winds of 44 knots registered causing officials to shorten the Seven Islands Race today.
A 40 knot north-nor/westerly hit Sydney Harbour just before the 10am start of the SSORC at Steele Point, Vaucluse, but eased to average 18-24 knots offshore moved to the north-west before backing to the west in the afternoon, with the SSORC fleet finishing their offshore race in Watsons Bay.
The two divisions in the Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC) hosted two-day SSORC flew down the Harbour, sprung sheets, big gusts making their rides like bucking broncos, with a couple airborne. Conditions gave everyone, including those entered in the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart, a solid work out.
Sean Langman’s Back 2 Black, recently arrived in Sydney after being bought by Sean Langman in Europe and representing the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia at the Admiral’s Cup in the UK. The GP42 won Division 1 today, handling the conditions well to beat Justin Mulkearns’ RP52 Virago and Darryl Hodgkinson’s Carkeek 40, Victoire in the Lion Island Race.
“It was a pretty fresh westerly (averaged 18-22 knots), but a pretty flat sea state,” Back 2 Black’s Josh Alexander said this afternoon. “It was very gusty at times - we saw up to 35 knots.
“This was our very first race since the Admirals Cup,” Alexander said. The boat’s only just got back to Australia. The mast only went back in the boat on Friday, so we’re very happy with how we went against our smaller boat competition, like Victoire. We’re also happy to go out and not have any breakages,” finished Alexander. Back 2 Black is one of a few yachts in this fleet headed to Hobart in the 80th race on December 26. Nine of their 10 Sydney Hobart crew were on board today.
Division 2 went to Steve Watson’s J/130, Ragtime from one of three double handed entries, the J/99 Disko Trooper, sailed by Jan ‘Clogs’ Scholten and Alex Knight. Third went to Neil Padden’s Beneteau 40.7, Wailea.
“We were going so fast I thought was lunchtime and it was only 11 o’clock! It was pretty crazy out there. However, we managed to get back without anything breaking today,” Watson said of the conditions.
“We had an OK start and a reasonably conservative sail plan. In the past we’ve carried more sail than we should have. We shook the reef out of the main when we got out the Heads, it got a bit soft off North Head. But we put the reef back in further up the course and kept chipping away at the other boats, including the Sydney 38s, which are our main competition.
“We delayed setting the kite until we were off Barrenjoey, as the bullets were too much before that. We carried the kite further than anyone else and when we got rid of it, we had a nice three -sail reach to the finish at Watsons Bay.”
An honest Watson conceded: “We’ve had a series of underwhelming results and a few breakages of late. The SSORC is an important part of our Sydney Hobart training. It’s been beneficial, because we’ve been getting it wrong, getting bad results and now we’re peaking at the right time.”
Back 2 Black was not the only yacht Hobart bound and making its Australian debut, Olympian Matt Hayes’ spanking new Italia 12.98, Veloce, also raced in Division 1. Edward and William Cox are also benefitting from the SSORC and headed to Hobart after recently selling their Minerva buying a Ker 40, also named Minerva.
Division 2’s competition includes three high profile double handed crews: Disko Trooper, Ian Smith/John Cross with Jupiter and Edward Curry Hyde/Lincoln Dews on Toucan, the latter two are also Sydney Hobart entrants.
Seven Islands Race
Huge gusts swept Sydney Harbour. Up to 44 knots equated to thrills and spills and a shortened course when officials took three peeks at the western side of the Harbour Bridge and much to their consternation, found a steady 42 knots, so it was more a ‘one island race’.
Division 1 went to Peter Charteris’ Sydney 36, Kailani, from Brian Lees’ Adams 10, Contentious, while Division 2 was claimed by John de Meur’s Jeanneau SO 349, Elysium. Newcomer to racing, Shane Foley and his crew, acquitted themselves well by finishing second with the Dufour 36 Performance, Boudicca - a baptism of fire.
It was a bit much for some. Four elected not to start and three retired, among them the perfectly named, considering today’s conditions, ‘Wirrajurnd’.
“We sailed conservatively, no spinnaker,” Charteris said this afternoon. “We saw gusts of 42 knots, but realised we could manage it, so kept going. Some were out of control”
“The work from Shark Island to Port Dennison brought the race to an end. It’s not that often you need to manage those types of conditions. You really need to keep your eye on things, because of the sheer wind from one gust to the next, you have to watch you’re not sailing by the lee,” he said.
Division 2 winner, De Meur confessed, “It was pretty hairy out there, we put a reef in the main when we went around Shark Island. Then we put another one in to be on the safe side. A couple of times we were flattened, but came back up again!
“I’m glad the race was shortened where it was, as I didn’t fancy tacking up the Parramatta River in the huge gusts. We had a good race though, a good run back to the Club. I’ve done this race when it was a drifter; it was a huge contrast today,” de Meur ended.
The 48th SSORC concludes tomorrow after two offshore windward/leeward races are sailed from 10am with the starts and finishes in the vicinity of The Sound.
For full results and all information, please visit: www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au
Di Pearson/MHYC media
Photos by Andrea Francolini....
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Read more: Wind gods in force at Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship
2025 Information & Education Sessions
Middle Harbour Yacht Club's Information & Education Sessions commenced in July and continues until October.
Some will be face to face while others will be conducted using Zoom videoconference. The updated schedule is:
- Wednesday 3 September - Racing Rules Refresher (Harbour View)
- Thursday 11 September - Skippers Briefing - Mandatory Session (Online)
- Thursday 25 September from 7pm - Skippers & Crew Meet and Greet (Harbour View)
- Wednesday 1 October from 7pm - Keelboat Safety Forum (Online)
- Saturday 11 October from 10am - MOB Practical Training Session (MHYC)
- Wednesday 22 October from 7pm - Race Flags & Signals (Online)
To download the updated information flyer – click here
2025 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship taking shape
Entries are taking shape for the 2025 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC), inclusive of the Seven Islands Race, to take place over the last weekend of November and hosted by Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC).
Both Division 1 and 2 reigning champions are returning to defend their titles.
Bob Cox has won Division 1 the past four years straight with his DK46, Nine Dragons. Can he be beaten? There are takers who are coming to try. Ray Hudson is one, bringing XS Moment down from Pittwater to challenge all Division 1 entrants and his crew had had better bring their A Game.
Hudson’s crew are good offshore on the XP44 design – and they are stayers, taking line honours in the 2024 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race to place third overall, a race in which few held out in the light and tricky conditions. However, they will need to mix it in the two short windward/leeward courses on Day 2 if they are to succeed.
Hudson says: “We like competing against the Harbour based boats every now and again. It gives us an opportunity to see how our current form is against the Harbour regulars.
“This year we’re not doing the Hobart and other long races, as we’ve typically done in past, but we want to stay in form. A lot of the crew like sailing on the Harbour for a change too.”
In 2024, Matt Wilkinson won Division 2 with Foreign Affair. The Farr 30 has podiumed at the last three SSORC’s.
Local Hero is a new contender and this is a first SSORC for her owner, David Davies. After buying the BH36, he raced her at the Club’s Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta (SHR) in March and held his own in an extremely competitive division.
“There’s not much in the way of IRC events around these days - and that’s our main thing. We did the Sydney Harbour Regatta and it was a really good fleet on a level playing field. The short format windward/leeward stuff is what we’re into. We did the Pittwater Regatta too, which was also great. It’d be good to encourage more clubs to run these rating events,” Davies said.
Shane Foley is another owner/skipper about to take advantage of a new experience. He has entered the Seven Islands Race, which is held alongside the SSORC. Foley is the new owner of Boudicca, the Dufour 36 Performance he bought out of Townsville and he is looking forward to the race around Sydney Harbour’s landmark islands.
“I’m a newbie at Seven Islands, but some of my crew have done it. I’m absolutely looking forward to it and I’m going in the spinnaker division. It’s a lot of fun going with a spinnaker. Go hard or go home,” he said, laughing. “We did our first spinnaker race the other day, in the MHYC Harbour Trek and we enjoyed it,” Foley said.
“For about the last five years since I retired, I’ve being sailing on Wailea (Neil Padden’s Beneteau 40.7), then I bought Boudicca and started cruising it while I raced on other boats,” explained Foley, who is making the best of retirement, gaining a Coxswains certificate and undertaking a Sailing Instructors course, which he has put to good use at MHYC.
“I’m doing it all to improve my own skills. I’ve just started racing Twilights with Middle Harbour Yacht Club too and I’ve now made a commitment to do their corporate, charity and feature events. I have a good data base of people wanting to crew and they seem to enjoy sailing with me,” he concluded.
Apart from the fun of racing around the islands, the other interesting aspect of the Seven Islands Race is the diversity of entries from their size to their design, which makes the pursuit style start all-important, as Foley will discover for himself on the Saturday.
The 48th edition of the SSORC is to be held over the weekend of 29 and 30 November and MHYC CEO, Andrew Forbes, spoke of the significance of the relationship between the Club and its principal partner: “Our partnership with Nautilus Marine Insurance continues to be a cornerstone of Middle Harbour Yacht Club and the regattas we proudly host,” he says of the SSORC and SHR.
“It’s more than support – it’s a relationship grounded in a shared passion for sailing and the community that surrounds it,” Forbes ended.
Don’t miss a weekend SSORC passage and windward/leeward racing or the Seven Islands Race – take your pick!
Standard SSORC entries close on Friday 21 November - so sign up now. Late entries will be accepted up until 5pm on Wednesday 26 November.
For entry and Notice of Race, please visit: www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au
Di Pearson/MHYC media
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Read more: 2025 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship taking shape
MHYC eNews Editions
Subscribe to MHYC eNews - click here
Past editions...........
Harbour Horizon eNews 31 October 2025
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13987001
Harbour Horizon eNews 24 October 2025
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13986831
Harbour Horizon eNews 17 October 2025
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13986828
eNews 2nd October 2025
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13986648
eNews 19th September 2025
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13986423
eNews 29th August 2025
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13986250
eNews 22nd August 2025
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13986174
eNews 15th August 2025
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13986072
eNews 1st August 2025
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13985932
eNews 25th July 2025
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13985839
eNews 18th July 2025
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13985746
eNews 27th June 2025
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13985512
eNews 20th June 2025
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13985425
eNews 23rd May 2025
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13985113
eNews8th May 2025
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13984855
eNews 19th April 2025
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13984675
eNews 8th April 2025
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13984524
eNews March 31 2025
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-11191869
eNews 27 February 2025
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-11191834
eNews 29 November 2024
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-11191671
eNews 17 November 2024
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-11191606
eNews 25 October 2024
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-11191537
eNews 18 October 2024
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-11191505
eNews 11 October 2024
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-11191482
eNews 4 October 2024
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-11191445
eNews 26 September 2024
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-11191421
eNews 19 September 2024
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-11191395
eNews 13 September 2024
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-11191368
eNews 6 September 2024
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-11191337
eNews 30 August 2024
https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-11191313
Spit Bridge Maintenance Works
Transport for NSW is carrying out essential maintenance work on the Spit Bridge between Monday 3 November and Friday 19 December.
Work will take place in two stages:
• Night work on the bridge - Monday 3 November to Thursday 6 November for four nights between 8pm-5am - A traffic lane in the southbound direction will be closed during inspections
• Day work on the water - Monday 10 November to Friday 19 December for 20 days between 7am-5pm - A restricted area will be established at water level around the work zone, including the overnight barge mooring area between the bridge piers. Further details provided in the attached notification.
Spit Bridge Opening and Closing
The scheduled opening times of the Spit Bridge remain unchanged. Our work activities will be away from the opening span of the bridge and will be coordinated with bridge operations to minimise disruption for road users and maritime vessels.
More details – click here
Marine Rescue Open Day
Join Marine Rescue Middle Harbour (MRMH) for its Open Day on Sunday, 19 October 2025, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM AEDT at 239 Spit Rd, Mosman (The Spit Reserve). This free community event offers guided tours of MRMH’s new base and rescue vessels, plus the Marine Safety Expo showcasing the latest boating safety gear and expert advice.
The program includes:
• Live flare firing demonstration (11:00 AM)
• Simulated vessel rescue (11:30 AM)
• Lifejacket safety and servicing (12:00 PM & ongoing) – bring your own for checks
• CPR and AED demonstration (1:00 PM)
• MAYDAY distress call training (2:00 PM)
• Knot-tying, safety gear exhibits, and the Marine Rescue Log On app demo
A BBQ and refreshments will be available throughout the day. Attendees can also take advantage of special offers on marine safety products.
Registration is free but required via Eventbrite. Parking is available at Spit Reserve, and public transport options are nearby. Children are welcome but must be supervised at all times.
This event is perfect for boaters, sailors, kayakers, and anyone keen to learn practical safety skills while meeting the dedicated volunteers who keep Sydney Harbour safe.
Download the information poster here
Entries open for Nautilus Marine Insurance SSORC
Entries have opened and regulars and first timers alike are expected to take part in the 2025 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC) when a mix of passage and windward/leeward courses will put every crew through their paces to decide the best across both styles of racing.
The 48th edition of Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s (MHYC) Championship is to be held over the weekend of 29 and 30 November. Entry and the Notice of Race (NoR) are now online.
Apart from the usual Division 1 and 2 boats, organisers are also expecting a small fleet of TP52 to take part.
Planned for the weekend is an ocean passage race as the opener with short offshore windward/leeward races on the Sunday, set to test everyone’s mettle. Nobody wants to be caught short on the fast and furious windward/leewards where good team work means all. All races will start and finish in Watsons Bay.
Races in this Championship additionally form part of the MHYC Ocean Pointscore Series, while the Saturday race forms part of the CYCA Summer Short Offshore Series.
Entry into the SSORC is free for entrants in these series, although they must enter online and comply with the requirements of the NoR.
You can’t keep a good man down and Bob Cox, winner of Division 1 for the past four years, is sure to be there with his DK46, Nine Dragons.
The same can be said for Neil Padden, who has skippered his Beneteau 40.7 Wailea to Division 2 third overall in 2023 and 2024.
Padden keeps returning, he says, “Because the crew and I enjoy regattas. We always do the SSORC, Pittwater Regatta, Sydney Harbour Regatta and Sail Port Stephens.
“The SSORC is a great mix of racing; one day of a Passage Race and then windward/leewards the next day. We don’t do much offshore racing, so the windward/leewards are our stronger point,” he explained.
“It’s always a well-organised regatta, so that’s part of what we enjoy. The visiting boats seem to enjoy the regatta too, so it’s also a chance to race against other clubs’ boats.
Padden concluded, “We’ve had some success at the SSORC, which is encouraging – we’ve also had some disasters!”
Daguet 2, the Mylius 50 owned by MHYC Commodore Rob Aldis and Peter Byford are committed to entering, as is MHYC Special Events Chairman Ian Box with his XP44, Toy Box 2. Both yachts sail in Division 1.
“It’s an event that’s steeped in history and has longevity,” Box commented.
“It’s important to keep the tradition and continuity of the event moving forward, to hang onto the historical value of having an offshore Championship,” said Box, a past Commodore of the Club.
“The long held ambition is for the boats from the CYCA that take part on the Saturday in the Summer Short Offshore Series pointscore, to stay and race on Sunday as well, as many have in the past,” he said.
Like Bob Cox, Box is a staple at the annual event with his competitive Toybox 2 that has enjoyed its share of wins. At the SSORC, Box faces regular competitors along with new campaigners and says of the competition: “The high level of competition is good to sail against!”
The racing, Box says, “Is a mix of a passage race and shorter windward/leewards, where you have to be disciplined and can make gains at the corners. The best at both decides the overall winners.”
A two-day Championship, it has traditionally been a shakedown for those yachts taking part in the Rolex Sydney Hobart and is sailed on courses off Sydney’s Heads and has the added challenge of Harbour exits and entry to the finish lines.
The SSORC is run in conjunction with the Seven Islands Race, for those who prefer a challenge against a variety of designs and a romp around Sydney Harbour’s famous islands. It offers a pursuit style start from the Club where the event also finishes.
Standard entries for the SSORC close on Friday 21 November, so sign up now. Late entries will be accepted up until 5pm on Wednesday 26 November.
For entry and the Notice of Race, please visit: www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au
Di Pearson/MHYC media
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Welcoming the Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project to MHYC
Middle Harbour Yacht Club is proud to officially welcome the Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project (SVSP) to the Club. CEO Andrew Forbes recently met with Jen and Scotty Reynolds, co-founders of the charity, to establish an agreement that will see Saltwater Veterans regularly sailing from MHYC.
The Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project is an ACNC-registered charity, an Australian Sailing affiliated club, and a mobile Discover Sailing Centre. Its mission is to empower current and former serving military veterans, and their families, through the social connection of sailing. The program is especially inclusive of wounded, injured and sick veterans, offering meaningful opportunities both on and off the water.
Members may recall MHYC s proud support of the ASX Refinitiv Charity Foundation Regatta, where the Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project was one of the selected beneficiaries. With this new agreement, we re excited to extend that support even further and help the program thrive at our Club.
SVSP officially joined us for our 2025/26 Season Opening this past weekend, taking part in the Commodore’s Front Up Cup. You may also spot their crews out on the docks or sailing our club Melges 20s on Friday evenings as part of their Skills, Drills & Friday Chills adult coaching program - a development pathway designed to build confidence and race skills.
We are delighted to have the Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project as part of the MHYC community and look forward to seeing their crews on the water throughout the season.
Wondering how you can support this project? As part of the ASX Refinitiv Charity Foundation fundraising campaign, the Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project is currently selling raffle tickets, which directly contribute to their 2025/26 beneficiary donation from the ASXRCF . Members are warmly encouraged to support their charitable mission by purchasing some tickets, helping empower veterans and their families through sailing. Purchase your raffle tickets online here
Read more: Welcoming the Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project to MHYC