ORC Club Update

August 2025

MHYC is encouraging boat owners who don’t have an ORC Rating to apply for an ORC Club Certificate. 

ORC is now the primary handicapping type for Saturday pointscore racing and an ORC pointscore based on elapsed times will be run in conjunction with the Pacific Rigging Wednesday Non-Spinnaker Series from the beginning of the new season.

The Sailing Committee is promoting ORC Club (ORCc) as the best option for all boat owners to obtain a Measurement Rating as it provides the right balance of science and simplicity to generate a handicap at a low cost.

Benefits:

• Easy Application Process - ORC Club requires a small number of measurement points and the ORC database already holds these measurements for over 128,000 production boats
• Fixed Handicap - ORC Club provides a constant reference point of a boat’s performance from week to week and allows identical boats to compete on the same handicap
• Boat Polars - the ORC Club Velocity Prediction Programme (VPP) calculates target boat speeds of each boat across a variety of wind strengths and wind directions
• Low Cost - It is inexpensive to generate an ORC Club certificate (in 2025 a new application for ORCc is $115 whereas ORCi is $650)
• Visibility - ORC Club is an open rule, so anyone can look at any other boats certificate and measurements that have been used. ORC Club also enables skippers to do a test to see what impact any changes to their boat or sails has on their handicap
• Popularity - ORC Club is widely used internationally and has seen rapid growth in Australia.  The NSW ORC Championships are held each year

To assist owners with new applications, Australian Sailing’s Ratings Manager, Chris Zonca, will be at the club on Sunday 24 August (the final Get Checked Day this year for free safety audits) to provide information and answer questions about ORC Club and help with measurement.

Further details on ORC Club and other ratings can be found on the Australian Sailing website https://www.sailingresources.org.au/ratings-hub/.

Go to https://orc.org/sailors/active-certificates-database  to search the ORC database for an existing ORC International or ORC Club certificate.

See the MHYC Handicapping Information Page at https://mhyc.com.au/sailing/keelboat-division/handicapping-at-mhyc.

Or contact the MHYC Sailing Office via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 8969 3103.

Read more: ORC Club Update

MHYC eNews Editions

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Past editions...........

Harbour Horizon eNews 19 February 2026

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Harbour Horizon eNews 12 February 2026

https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13988321 

Harbour Horizon eNews 6 February 2026

https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13988250

Harbour Horizon eNews 30 January 2026

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Harbour Horizon eNews 23 January 2026

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Harbour Horizon eNews 16 January 2026

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Harbour Horizon eNews 9 January 2026

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Harbour Horizon eNews 19 December 2025

https://mailchi.mp/mhyc.com.au/middle-harbour-yacht-club-enews-13987691

Harbour Horizon eNews 12 December 2025

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Harbour Horizon eNews 4 December 2025

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Harbour Horizon eNews 28 November 2025

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Harbour Horizon eNews 14 November 2025

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Harbour Horizon eNews 7 November 2025

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Harbour Horizon eNews 31 October 2025

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Harbour Horizon eNews 24 October 2025

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Harbour Horizon eNews 17 October 2025

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eNews 2nd October 2025

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eNews8th May 2025

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eNews 19th April 2025

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eNews March 31 2025

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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

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eNews 18 October 2024

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eNews 11 October 2024

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eNews 4 October 2024

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eNews 26 September 2024

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eNews 19 September 2024

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eNews 13 September 2024

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eNews 6 September 2024

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eNews 30 August 2024

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Read more: MHYC eNews Editions

First Light Presentation with Elizabeth Tucker

Za Ocean Racing: A Voyage and a Vision

Join MHYC member Elizabeth Tucker (Za Za) as she shares her recent experience delivering her Open 40 yacht, "First Light," two-handed from the west coast of Spain to Middle Harbour.

Elizabeth will discuss the planning and execution of her two-and-a-half-month voyage, and outline the future program for "First Light," which includes participation in the 80th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race with an all-female Za Ocean Racing crew.

Member entry: Free
Non-member entry: $10.00
Limited spaces are available. Early booking is recommended.

DATE

Wednesday 16 April 2025 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (UTC+10)

LOCATION

Middle Harbour Yacht Club
75 Lower Parriwi Road, Mosman NSW 2088

For Bookings Click here

Read more: First Light Presentation with Elizabeth Tucker

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

Read more: Marine Rescue Open Day

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

Read more: Vale David “Mossy” Moss

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

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

Read more: 2025-2028 Racing Rules of Sailing now published

Northbridge Sailing Club Open Day

Last sailing season, Middle Harbour Yacht Club and Northbridge Sailing Club started a collaborative program with the young sailors in MHYC’s Opti fleet joining Green and Open Fleet sailors from NSC to periodically race together.  In the coming season, we hope to enable more junior sailors to build experience in larger fleet racing as a prelude to regattas.

The Northbridge Sailing Club Open Day is on Sunday 31 August.  All are invited to go along to learn more about the club and, if you wish, bring a change of clothes for you and/or your child to go for a sail with an instructor.

Northbridge Sailing Club – igniting a passion for sailing

West of the Spit Bridge in the protected waters of upper Middle Harbour, Northbridge Sailing Club’s focus is family sailing in a range of dinghy classes or enabling a parent (or grandparent) sailor to introduce sailing to other family members via one of three sailing dinghy pathways. 

-  Learn to Sail – our programs for beginners are provided by our Australian Sailing certified instructors targeted for kids aged 7-12y, families and adults using Pacers and Optimist training dinghies on Sunday mornings.  Junior sailors transition from accompanying instructors in Pacers to plastic Opti trainers to Green and Open fleet racing in Optis or Flying 11s.

-  Social Sailing and Personal Coaching – membership benefits include inexpensive hourly rental of Pacers and ILCAs (Lasers) to enable adult members to build experience (with or without an instructor) or previous sailors to take their kids for a social sail or even let their more experienced kids take them!

We also encourage members new to sailing to join NSC club members in social yacht racing throughout the year.   This complements their basic dinghy sailing experience so they can readily progress to become crew members for social sailing on yachts – feeding into twilight sailing or weekend racing.

-  Afternoon racing –  we race ILCAs (Lasers), two-handers (Tasars and NS14s, suited for two adults or parent/child crews or teenagers) as well as Moths with our open fleet of junior sailors in Optis and Flying 11s.   The Flying 11 class enables 10-15 year olds to enjoy two handed racing together, or joining a parent in an NS14 or Tasar.

Our club is volunteer led and we strive to create a family friendly environment where fun on the water is foremost, supported by a community that helps each other.  Our annual Live-In sailing camp for kids is legendary!

Tony Stephens, NSC Commodore

Read more: Northbridge Sailing Club Open Day

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 47^th 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