Billed as the ‘must’ do’ regatta to boost sailing skillsets ahead of the summer season of major yachting events, the 2022 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC) is gathering momentum following the opening of entries in late September.

Among the names added to the start list for Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s (MHYC) 45th running of the annual event to be held from 26-27 November, are Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club yachts: Gerry Hatton’s Bushranger, Ray Hudson’s XS Moment and Mark Tinworth and Mark Waterhouse’s Mercury. 

Bushranger - back for another tilt at the SSORC - Andrea Francolini pic

Hatton’s M.A.T. 1245, Bushranger, finished third overall in Division 2 at the Australian Yachting Championships (AYC) in August. He attributes much of his success to “sailing with family. My son-in-law Michael (Fountain) skippers Bushranger and my son Andrew does the main,” he said. “We all work well together.”  

The elder statesman remains ever competitive and derives much pleasure from sailing against and beating his MHYC rivals, who like to return the favour when they sail at home and at RPAYC events. 

“Yes, we are competitive, but we’re friends ashore. Bob (Cox with Nine Dragons) just beat us last year, but we got him back at the Pittwater Regatta (in February). We know there are a lot of others who can win, but we are coming to the regatta to win too,” he said laughing. 

Andrew Forbes’ has also entered Georgia Express and will no doubt provide Foreign Affair with especially good competition. The former is a Farr 36, the latter a Farr 30 and both are extremely competitive yachts from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA). 

Matt Wilkinson’s Foreign Affair returns as the defending champion of Division 2 from last year’s SSORC, however, there are a number of others prepared to take the pair on, so it is by no means a lay down misère.

Adrian Walters' quick Little Nico - Andrea Francolini pic

To be held over the weekend of 26 and 27 November, Saturday’s passage race will be held in conjunction with the CYCA Ocean Pointscore (OPS). Three offshore windward/leeward races will round out the weekend on Sunday.

For those yet to enter, the good news is the Close of Standard Entries deadline has been extended to midnight on 23 November. And further good news is that  existing entrants in either the MHYC or CYCA Ocean Pointscore Series are exempt from paying a fee but must still go online and enter.

Seven Islands Race on Sydney Harbour

In addition to the SSORC,  the Club will again host the Seven Islands Race for the mixed keelboat fleet on the Saturday of the SSORC. Starting off MHYC, pursuit style, first to the finish post back at the Club claims the trophy. Attracting an eclectic mix of yachts, it’s anyone’s to win.

All information on the SSORC, including Notice of Race and entry: www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au  

Super 40 Spring Regatta

Over the same weekend, MHYC will host the Super 40 Spring Regatta on the back of a successful Super 40 regatta at Hamilton Island Race Week held in August.

“There is good interest and we encourage all bowsprit boats up to 45 feet to participate,” says Mitch White, a proponent of the event whose vehicle of choice for the regatta is Adrian Walters’ quick Rob Shaw 11 Metre, Little Nico. 

West Australian entry, The Cadillac, scored a runaway victory at Hamilton Island, but banked up behind her with little between them was PP1, followed by two MC38’s, InfoTrack (Christian Beck) and Lazy Dog (Shaun Lane) both from MHYC along with others.

“The competition was second to none and we expect the same thing for the division at SSORC. We’ll do the Seven Islands race on Saturday and then Sunday, there is the option of passage racing or windward/leewards, weather dependent,” White ended.

For Super 40 Notice of Race and entry: https://mhyc.com.au/sailing/regattas-championships/super-group-spring-regatta

Di Pearson/MHYC media