MHYC reclaims the Daydream Shield

by Alister Morison on 9 Aug 2005 Daydream Shield returns to Middle Harbour.

In the spirit of interclub rivalry MHYC wrested the 48 year old Daydream Shield from the walls of the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club where it has resided for the past 3 years.

The traditional match racing challenge was held on Sunday 7 August 2005 in ideal winter sailing conditions with a tricky westerly wind. The starters boat set up under North Head to provide a beat to Middle Head on an outgoing tide.

The respective club Racing Committee chairmen negotiated and settled on 3 races and on 6 pairings including the historic Ranger, J24, Adams 10 and North Shore 369 classes. In a true show of clubmanship and a sense of history, owners from MHYC and The Amateurs lent boats to crews from the other club to support the event. With the boats agreed each club worked to ensure competent crews were available. MHYC was represented by Peter Sorenson helming the Ranger, Doug McGain and Alister Morison in the J24’s, Ben Nossiter and Tim Gallego in the Adams 10 and Ross Breadman sailing the NS369.

In one twist the Amateurs won the toss for use of Vanity, the faster of the two Rangers, for 1 & 2 races with the MHYC team transferring to her for race 3.

Races 1 and 2 produced wins to McGain, Nossiter, Gallego and Breadman placing the score MHYC 8 – SASC 4 with one race to go.

The Ranger crews swapped boats while the Adams 10 and J24 swapped pairings for race 3.

Race 3 added 5 more wins for MHYC with wins to Sorrenson (in the faster Ranger) McGain, Nossiter, Morison and Breadman bringing the score to a very comfortable MHYC 13 – SASC 5.

The sausage sizzle held after the race was well attended as we waited for Commodore Robert Evans to unbolt the Daydream Shield from the wall of the SASC. Delighted MHYC Commodore Ian Box presided over the handing over of the historic Trophy with promises of a strong contest again next year from the SASC.

Alister Morison received the trophy on behalf of the team and thanked all those who took part, loaned boats and especially the MHYC Race Management Team for their very competent assistance in running the event.


Alister Morison
Vice Commodore of Racing
MHYC