Inclusive Sailing Easter Regatta
An Inclusive Classes Regatta was conducted by Middle Harbour Yacht Club over the Easter weekend attracting sailors from four Australian States and Territories and a team from New Zealand.
The Hansa 303, Liberty and International 2.4mR are all small keelboat classes enjoyed by sailors of all ages and abilities around the world.
Twelve of the 31 sailors who competed in the regatta have some form of disability. Sailors who are blind or have low vision, with deafness or hearing loss, wheelchair users and those with limited mobility – all raced with and against non-disabled sailors for four Open State Championship titles. An acoustic buoy was provided for vision impaired competitors sailing solo in the 2.4mR and Hansa 303 one-person divisions.
The event incorporated the NSW Championships for 2.4mR and Hansa classes and was the inaugural NSW Para Sailing Championship with scores for eligible para sailors extracted from the open results.
While Sydney turned on some beautiful autumn sunshine across the weekend, the north-easterly breeze was slow to arrive on the first two days of racing. On Easter Monday, racing was finally able to get underway on time, enabling all divisions to complete a good number of races for their series.
Peter Russell (ACT) posted five race wins from six starts to claim the NSW 2.4mR Championship. Charles Weatherly (VIC) finished with a two-point margin to daughter Ali Weatherly to win the NSW Hansa Liberty Championship. Chris Symonds and Manuela Klinger (TAS) had a perfect scorecard in the Hansa 303 two-person Championship and Symonds backed this up with five wins from seven starts in the Hansa 303 one-person to secure two NSW Championship titles.
In the NSW Para Sailing Championships, Chris Symonds took out the Hansa 303 one-person and two-person competition, Ali Weatherly (VIC) was best in the Hansa Liberty and Peter Coleman (VIC) claimed the 2.4mR title.
There was a great atmosphere of friendship and cooperation between all the competitors and volunteers at the regatta, but one example of kindness stood out. After two days of racing, vision impaired Kiwi Paulien Chamberlain was hot on the heels of Chris Symonds in the 303 one-person division and striving to keep ahead of Victorian Stephen Griffiths. The breeze was freshest on the final day; 13-14 knots and increasing when this group started racing in the second session. On the first upwind leg, Chamberlain suffered a mast failure and with just one further race to complete the series was destined to tumble down the order with a DNF and DNS to finish. In a generous display of sporting spirit, fellow New Zealander Rhonda Ritchie retired herself from that race so Chamberlain could change into her boat to contest the final heat of the championship. Chamberlain went on to secure her only race win for the series and maintained her second place on a tie-break from Griffiths. Ritchie’s gesture was warmly celebrated at the prizegiving ceremony later in the afternoon.
An Inclusive Sailing Forum was also held at MHYC on the Sunday evening following racing, attracting an audience of sailors, officials, administrators and other interested people.
Ali Weatherly outlined the makeup and activities of Australian Sailing’s Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Advisory Group, Sarah Ross provided an update on World Sailing’s Para Classification Working Party and David Staley described the work of World Sailing’s Inclusion Development Working Party. The open forum generated discussion on a range of topics with Hansa Sailing’s Chris Mitchell emphasising the importance of inclusive design and Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club Vice Commodore Julia Hornsby highlighting the value of sailing clubs taking a more inclusive approach.
Thanks to the race management and shoreside teams, especially the Sailability Middle Harbour volunteers, the event ran smoothly on the water and at the dock. Gratitude also to photographer Marg Fraser-Martin who was on the water every day to capture the action.
Major inclusive classes events to be held in Australia over the coming year are:
- October 2024 – Asia-Pacific Hansa Class Championships at Southport Yacht Club QLD.
- November 2024 - Sail Melbourne and Australian Para Sailing Championships at Royal Brighton Yacht Club VIC.
- January 2025 - 2.4mR Australian Championships at Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club VIC.
- March 2025 - Hansa Class World Championships at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club NSW.
For links to the MHYC Inclusive Classes Regatta results, NSW Para Sailing Championships results, photo galleries and event information, visit the event webpage: https://mhyc.com.au/sailing/regattas-championships/inclusive-classes-regatta
Photos by Marg Fraser-Martin
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Helly Hansen Women’s Challenge for the final race of SHWKS 2024
The Helly Hansen flag was hoisted at Manly Yacht Club over the weekend for the 29th anniversary of the Helly Hansen Women’s Challenge. There was a record number of entries for the yacht race on the Sunday with 42 boats listed across the two divisions. Conditions were looking dire in the morning with the fleet bobbing around with no wind in the Sow and Pigs starting area fifteen minutes before the scheduled start time. A call on the radio from maritime announcing a huge tanker coming in the heads created another difficulty for the race committee. As the breeze filled in there was a sigh of relief with the starting gun set to go off at 1pm for division 1 just half an hour later than planned in a moderate easterly breeze. Competition was tight on the start line with boats jockeying for position but both divisions managed a clear start with only one OCS across the fleet despite the outgoing tide pushing boats closer to the line.
The Overall results in Division 1 Bridget Canham took out first place on It Happens with Esprit (Christine Mah) coming in second place and MHYC boat Jambo taking third spot skippered by Stephanie Cook. In Division 2 Catherine Thornton-Rofe came in first place on Kaotic followed by Melody (Marike Koppenol) in second spot and Ace (Tegan Franklin) in third. Tracy Richardson took out first place for Division 1 in the All Female category in her Adams 10, Artemis.
The MYC Women’s Challenge was the fifth and final race of the Sydney Harbour Women’s Keelboat Series, now in its third year. The collaboration between Sydney Harbour Clubs CYCA, MHYC, RSYS, RANSA and MYC is now a popular staple amongst the women’s sailing fraternity.
Congratulations to MHYC’s Katie O'Mara and the crew of Birubi J70 Racing taking the overall win in Division 2 of the female helm. Tracy Richardson and the Artemis crew winning Division 1 of the all female crew. Thanks to the combined efforts of all the clubs hosting this year and a huge round of applause for Marg's Yacht Photos and her great shots out on the course.
We look forward to seeing more boats participate in the series next season.
To view Marg Fraser- Martins photos click the link below.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/rh8tlmhaen6usmovjh5v0/h?rlkey=ztn30p0co70v6qvxipb8ohf84&dl=0
For full results of the HH Women’s Challenge click here https://app.sailsys.com.au/club/23/results/series/3520/races/24190?handicap=5
For the SHWKS click here https://app.sailsys.com.au/club/27/results/series/2715/races
Read more: Helly Hansen Women’s Challenge for the final race of SHWKS 2024
Australia Day Harbour Parade
There’s no better place to be on Australia Day than sparkling Sydney Harbour! Here’s your chance to be part of the annual Harbour Parade where you can dress up your boat and crew and challenge for ‘Best Dressed’.
In 2024, the Harbour Parade will be part of the exciting new Harbourfest program which will take to the sea, shore and sky with an abundance of free and fun activities… and to top it off, all parade participants are now in prime viewing position for the annual Ferrython’s new race route (see attached).
Vessels of all shapes and sizes are welcome to join the flotilla. Prizes will be awarded to the winning vessel in each of the following categories:
- Budgie Smuggler Award — Best Small Vessel
- Best in the Biz Award — Best Commercial Vessel
- Hello Sailor! Award — Best Newcomer
- The Captain’s Choice Award — Best Dressed
- Going Overboard Award — Most Imaginative
In addition to the Ferrython front seat, all Harbour Parade winners will also gain exclusive access to the managed viewing area at Jeffrey Street Wharf for the Australia Day Live spectacular in Circular Quay where you can listen to the concert via FM simulcast and watch the choregraphed fireworks from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
Registrations close 5:00pm AEDT on Monday 15 January 2024. Register here
Download the Ferrython Map here
Combined Clubs Inshore finale
Saturday’s Combined Clubs Inshore Series finale, also part of MHYC’s Inshore Pointscore, was sailed in some testing conditions. A gentle East South-Easterly breeze changed direction and strength as it passed over the harbour’s headlands and fanned out of the bays.
At the conclusion of the Combined Clubs Series that attracted 59 boats for the seven races, MHYC boats dominated the leaderboard. Toy Box 2 (Ian Box) was first in Division 1 on ORC and IRC and second on PHS. Wailea (Neil Padden) finished on top of Division 2 on ORC and PHS, while Stormaway (Jack Stening & Colin Gunn) took the series win on IRC. Innamincka (John Crawford) and Waterborne Again (Marc Tromp) finished first and second respectively on both the ORC and PHS series scores.
In the MHYC Inshore Pointscore Division 1, Toy Box 2 claimed the trifecta on ORC, IRC & PHS handicap. In Division 2, Contentious (Brian Lees) took the win on ORC and Adams 10 One Design, while Small Gains (Don Colantonio) was best on PHS and Wailea took IRC. In Division 3, Innamincka won on ORC and Waterborne Again on PHS.
MHYC Inshore Pointscore Results – click here
Combined Clubs Inshore Series Results – click here
Thankyou to Marg Fraser-Martin who was on the water for the final day of racing and captured all the action.....
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Seven Islands Race Report
The Seven Islands Race was in fact abbreviated to a five islands race in 2023, ensuring all boats were back at the club in good time after a circumnavigation of Cockatoo Island. While rain showers crossed the harbour regularly throughout the day, the breeze held across the course to provide an enjoyable sail.
Congratulations to Mitch White the crew of Infotrack who finished ahead of Kukukerchu (David Ross) and Revolver (Michael Ritchie) in Division 1. John Crawford’s Innamincka was first home in Division 2, next was Shibumi (Bryan Moore) and Waterborne Again (Marc Tromp).
To view the results – click here
Despite the grey conditions, Andrea Francolini managed to capture some great photos of the Seven Islands Race...........
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Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship ends in a thriller
Pano.JPG)
The 2023 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC) was decided over two offshore windward/leeward courses today and Bob Cox’s Nine Dragons along with Jack Stening and Colin Gunn’s Stormaway, came away the victors, Stening commenting, “The final race was the most exciting I think I’ve ever done.”
Competitors put yesterday’s Passage Race and awful weather behind them to concentrate on a completely different style of racing in the Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s (MHYC) hosted event today. The first race was a two-lap course in very light air, the second a three-lapper to finish the event, but the sun was out in full force.
Nine Dragons, a DK46 with a sting in her tail, came into the day third overall in Division 1, but won both of the day’s races to win Division 1 of the Championship. Cox was nothing short of elated.
Cox beat yesterday’s leader, Gordon Ketelbey’s TP52, Zen and Ian Box’s Toybox 2, in the first race. He followed up by beating MHYC Commodore, Rob Aldis’ DK46, Khaleesi and Zen in the second.
So Zen claimed second place overall, Khaleesi third. Toybox 2 just missed out on countback in such a close series.
A stunned Cox was almost wordless this afternoon, discovering he had won across the board: IRC, ORC and PHS.
“The boat is running a set of offcut sails and yet the old girl is going better than ever. We are completely amazed that we won. We’re even more amazed that we actually managed to beat the TP52 (Zen) twice today. That’s our biggest achievement of the weekend,” he said.
Cox was full of praise for his fellow competitors. In part, he said, “In the last race Khaleesi had a good run and beat us for the first time ever across the finish line. They sailed well. We were absolutely on their tail though, so beat them on handicap.
“Julian Plante did our tactics and the whole crew sailed really well over the weekend,” Cox said, to cheers from his crew.
Stormaway, owned by Jack Stening and Colin Gunn, was sitting pretty in second place heading into today’s races and ended up winning Division 2. Stening said the pair’s thrill of the day came from the final race and it certainly made up for the day’s opening race.
“The first race was AP’d then we started in Watsons Bay. We had to get out the Heads in light air. We were last out! Then we worked our way up a bit,” he said of their fourth place finish. Sebastian Hultin’s Georgia Express won that race from Peter Farrugia’s Bullwinkle and Matt Wilkinson’s Foreign Affair.
A north-easterly breeze built to around 10 knots. Stening related: “In the second race, it was as close racing as it gets. We had a big fleet on a short start line - both divisions - and it was an offshore start. We chose to go in the second line near the start boat. From there, we fought to cross the boats as our division approached the top mark.
“We were first at the top mark the first time. We were crossing two and three boats at a time and they were doing the same, all going flat out, leaving just a coat of paint between us all in a 12 knot breeze! It was wonderful.
“As we were coming into the Heads, we were getting 15-20 knot gusts, surfing with Bullwinkle and Foreign Affair. The two finished the Championship second and third overall respectively.
“We were surging and it was so exciting. The whole race was so exciting. You don’t often get that,” he said before adding, “Colin steered and called tactics; he did his usual good job,” Stening said.
“We were third over the finish line, but finished with Jupiter right on our stern (Ian Smith’s Jupiter won that race from Stormaway and Bullwinkle). “We could hear Billy Sykes (North Sails sailmaker) giving advice to the crew on Jupiter and I called out to him ‘What should we do’? He is a lovely man and a great friend,” Stening said, laughing.
For full results and all information, please visit: www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au
Di Pearson/MHYC media
View the SSORC photo galleries - here
Read more: Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship ends in a thriller
MHYC yachts stand out in the Combined Clubs
The final Sydney Harbour Combined Clubs Inshore Series race for 2023 was conducted by Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron on Saturday December 9 and MHYC yachts excelled.
In the 15 boat PHS Division 1, Toy Box 2 (Ian Box) took the race win and is second overall after for races. There are 23 boats in PHS Division 2 and Wailea (Neil Padden) claimed the Saturday race win. Wailea is second behind Stormaway (Jack Stening & Colin Gunn) in the series score. In the 14 boat Division 3 PHS fleet, Escape (Dean Dransfield) placed second on Saturday. Escape sits in fourth overall after for races with Waterborne Agan (OIoff Tromp) in second place.
MHYC boats are dominant in the rating categories. In Division 1, Toy Box 2 leads the ORC and IRC pointscores with Kukukerchu (David Ross) in second. Stormaway tops the ORC and IRC leaderboards for Division 2 with Wailea in second.
There are three more races to conclude the Sydney Harbour Combined Clubs Inshore Series with the next race on January 20 being hosted by RANSA. Results for MHYC competitors in these races also contribute to the Inshore Annual Pointscore.
To view the latest Combined Clubs Inshore Series results – click here
To view the latest MHYC Annual Inshore Series results – click here
Photos by Marg Fraser-Martin
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A bit of Zen and two hands work magic at Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship
Andrea Francolini photo
Gordon Ketelbey’s Zen and Mistral, sailed two-handed by Rupert Henry and Greg O’Shea, were the beneficiaries of wins on Day 1 of Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s (MHYC) 2023 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC), sailed offshore today.
Ketelbey’s TP52 won Division 1 from classmate, First Light (Peter White) and Bob Cox’s DK46, Nine Dragons. Cox always manages to find his way to the podium, come rain, hail or shine.
“Racing was pretty close,” Ketelbey admitted, but he was pleased with the crew’s handywork in a breeze that averaged around 15 knots. “It wasn’t too windy, a bit lumpy, but pleasant sailing,” the MHYC yachtsman said.
It was not all straightforward, however: “We parked up at the Heads, Virago (Robert Kelly’s RP52 one-off) got ahead of us and First Light caught up with us. We caught them well before Lion Island though. Coming home was a straight downhill run and we kept them behind us,” Ketelbey said of the race to Lion Island and return.
Zen has recently profited from a makeover, although not all has gone according to plan: “We’ve got a new keel configuration and we thought we had a new rig, but there was a problem. We expect the new one from Spain after Christmas now,” he said.
Sailing Mistral two-handed in Division 2, Rupert Henry and Greg O’Shea won overall. Jack Stening and Colin Gunn’s Sydney 36, Stormaway claimed second place and Neil Padden’s Beneteau 40.7, Wailea, was third. The latter two were sailed fully crewed and there were other two-handers in the division, making the race more interesting.
“It was a good warm up for the Cabbage Tree Island Race next Friday night,” said Henry, who with O’Shea won that race overall in 2022, ahead of winning the Two-Handed division in the Rolex Sydney Hobart, a title they will also defend come Boxing Day.
“It was wet but not as windy as the forecast. There was quite an eastern swell running, which was fine on starboard, but on port tack it was quite awful. The further north we got, the lighter it got. We hugged the shore a bit, then went offshore, which was a loss,” Henry conceded.
“We did a couple of short tacks to the laid mark, which was exactly where it was supposed to be, so that was good. Then we had a nice run back. We did a couple of gybes and it was a nice 16 knots coming through the Heads to the finish.”
Racing concludes tomorrow, when MHYC plans to run two short offshore windward/leeward races, each one starting and finishing on Sydney Harbour.
The Seven Islands Race, Division 1, was won by the MC38 InfoTrack. She was last to start, but first to finish, in the pursuit-style race.
“We got the chocolates,” a pleased Mitch White said from the yacht. Second was David Ross’ Cape 31, Kukukerchu, followed by Michael Ritchie’s Ritchie 38, Revolver.
White described conditions on the Harbour course thus: “It was grey, slightly wet, but a pleasurable sail. When you’re racing, you don’t notice the rain.
“It’s an active race though, because you’ve got plenty of obstacles to get around,” he said, referring to the various islands and narrow waterway on the other side of the Harbour Bridge. “And the wind was up and down like a yoyo.”
On their win, White commented: “We were actually lucky. We do a bit of racing up past the bridge with corporate sailing, so we know what to expect. We got past second place at Middle Head, thanks to Indy Beck’s great trimming.”
When they started, InfoTrack’s crew could not see any of their divisional compadres in front of them, “but all the hard work was done in the river,” said White, of the area north-west of the Harbour Bridge, which is tricky to sail in at the best of times.
Division 2 went to John Crawford’s always well-sailed J24, Innamincka. Second was Bryan Moore’s Shibumi, with Jeremy Clarke’s Kai Rani in third. The race is held alongside the SSORC and attracts a wide variety of boats. It starts and finishes at MHYC and its name suggests, is on a course around famous Sydney Harbour islands.
For full results and all information, please visit: www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au
Di Pearson / MHYC media
SSORC and Seven Islands Race photos by Andrea Francolini
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Nominate a Young Person to Sail on HMB Endeavour
The Australian National Maritime Museum Foundation will support up to five young Australians to participate in a tall ship adventure. On 15 February 2024, HMB Endeavour will embark on a 15-day voyage to Lord Howe Island, offering an unforgettable experience of blue water sailing in this exact replica of an 18th century barque. This will be a unique opportunity for the successful applicants to not only to learn to sail a complex eighteenth-century vessel, but also to gain life-long skills including teamwork and communication, practical decision-making, flexibility and resilience.
Successful applicants must be:
- An Australian citizen
- Aged between 18 and 24 on 1 February 2024
- Be available from 15 - 29 February 2024
- Be able to get themselves to and from Sydney at their own expense
There is no formal application form however ANMM needs to receive a written response by Friday, January 12.
Please see the information sheet for more details - click here
Inclusive Classes Regatta – Update November 2023
An Inclusive Classes Regatta will be conducted by Middle Harbour Yacht Club from March 29 to April 1 (Easter weekend) 2024. Online entry is now open and the Notice of Race has just been updated with a change that affects sailors with intellectual impairment.
New Classification Opportunity for Athletes with Intellectual Impairment
In response to feedback from competitors at the inaugural Para Sailing International Championships for Athletes with Intellectual Impairment at Southport Yacht Club last November, Australian Sailing have approved a simplified method of para classifications for this athlete group.
Australian Sailing Provisional AWII Classification is a sport-based classification using the same framework as other para sailors and is being introduced ahead of the NSW Para Sailing Championships. It will then apply for the 2024 Australian Para Sailing Championships at Sail Melbourne in December.
Sailors with intellectual impairment, including those who are not currently included on the Virtus Master List or a Registered Special Olympics Athlete, can apply for AWII classification by emailing their contact details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and then undertaking a phone or online interview with the Australian Sailing Consultant Psychologist. There is no cost to AWII classification and it is not a requirement to be entered in any event, although it is important to start the application well in advance of any relevant regatta.
This process has been developed with a view to having it incorporated within the World Sailing Rules of Para Classification. It would not have been possible without the support of International Para Classifiers Sarah Ross and Stephen Wilson and Australian Sailing Consultant Psychologist Darren Eger.
About the Inclusive Classes Regatta
MHYC’s Inclusive Classes Regatta program includes arrival, training and classification on the Friday followed by three races each day on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday. It is planned to hold an Inclusive Sailing Forum on the Sunday evening.
Para Classification for athletes with physical impairments will be available at the venue on Friday 29 March. You can register for classification by emailing a request and providing contact details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Racing will be on Middle Harbour in the vicinity of Balmoral. Invited classes are Hansa 303 (one person & two person), Hansa Liberty & International 2.4mR.
The regatta will comprise the 2.4mR NSW Championship and Hansa Class NSW Championships for 2024. In addition, the regatta will be the inaugural NSW Para Sailing Championships. Results of eligible para sailors will be extracted from the open fleet results.
A limited number of Hansa charter boats will be available for competitors travelling from interstate or outside the Sydney Metro area. To register your interest for a charter boat, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at the earliest opportunity.
All regatta information will be published on the event webpage.
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