Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD

Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship a triumph in 2017

by MHYC 13 Dec 2017 02:53 PST 27-28 November 2017
Balance © Crosbie Lorimer

Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC) successfully ran the 40th edition of the Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC) over the last weekend in November, an event combining the best of inshore, offshore and one-design fleet racing giving all competitors the opportunity of close, challenging racing. For the first time an innovative hybrid course of laid and virtual marks was used on the second day's racing.

Entry numbers were high with twenty yachts competing over two divisions for the IRC trophy and twelve for the ORCi trophy. The PHS divisions consisted of 21 yachts.

Paul Clitheroe and his Balance crew won on both days racing to take out the IRC and ORCi point scores in Division 1. The TP52 beat Andrew and Pauline Dally's DK46, Khaleesi, who came second on IRC and third on ORCi. and Steven Proud's Kernan 44, Swish, winner of PHS, second on ORCi and third on IRC.

In Division 2, MHYC members Jack Stening and Col Gunn (Stormaway), found themselves in the winner's box defeating CYCA's Conspiracy and RPAYC's Foreign Affair.

The Farr 40 One Design fleet of five yachts competed over two days with Martin Hill and his team on Hill PDA Racing having the most consistency in the regatta to take the win from class president Gordon Ketelbey on Zen in second place and Rob Pitts Double Black in third place.

Those contesting the North Sails Super 12 Spring Regatta wrapped up their event with three sprint races on Sydney Harbour. Steve Barlow and his MC38, Lightspeed, took the title from Adrian Walters' Shaw 11, Little Nico and Chris Way's MC38, Easy Tiger VI.

The very popular Seven Islands Race inshore race was run on Saturday, incorporating the second Jeanneau Cup race with over thirty crews enjoying the challenge of sailing on the other side of the Harbour Bridge for a change before all fleets returned to the club for live music entertainment and refreshments on the beach.

While several competitors experienced some difficulties ensuring they had rounded the virtual mark offshore on Sunday overall the Championships were well received. Paul Clitheroe commented "I thought it worked incredibly well – I was unsure how it would go before setting out. Congratulations to Middle Harbour Yacht Club for their forethought in trying something new – it's never easy being the first."

The Special Events Committee has taken all feedback received on board in preparation for next year's running of the SSORC and any further comments are welcome to be addressed to David Staley, MHYC Sailing Manager via email sailing.manager@mhyc.com.au.

Middle Harbour Yacht Club thanks all competitors, volunteers and sponsors Helly Hansen and Sydney City Marine for their support of the Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship and we look forward to welcoming you back next year for the 41st running of the event.

For results and all information on the SSORC, please visit website

Related Articles

2025 X-Yachts Aurum Cup
Magnificent blue skies... but some tricky wind conditions! The 2025 X-Yachts Aurum Cup was held in Sydney over the weekend in magnificent blue skies... but some tricky wind conditions! Posted on 25 Jun
The call of the mighty
See the words Admiral's Cup and you immediately think approachable, real, hardcore action See the words Admiral's Cup and you immediately think approachable, real, hardcore action, braving the elements, and glory for the victorious. As an Australian, you have King Louie (the late Lou Abrahams), and the late Sir Jim Hardy as the poster boys. Posted on 1 Jun
The appeal of offshore
Is there still appeal? Have we made it too onerous? Why would someone take it up now? I had been pondering. Yes. Marquee events have no issue attracting entrants. Middle Sea, Transpac, Cape to Rio, Fastnet, and Hobart all spring to mind instantly, but what of the ‘lesser' races? Lots of boats in pens (slips) a lot of the time Posted on 18 May
TP52 Pallas Capital Gold Cup - Matador wins Act 1
David Doherty's Matador start their defence in style The opening Act of the Pallas Capital Gold Cup for the TP52 Australia class as part of the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta on 1-2 March saw 2024 winner David Doherty's Matador start their defence in style, winning on both IRC and TPR. Posted on 3 Mar
Sydney Harbour Regatta champions decided
Another late start as a light sea breeze fought the land breeze on the final day Another late start as a light sea breeze fought the land breeze, making it hard on competitors and race officers alike earlier, but eventually everyone settled in and new champions and winners were declared. Posted on 2 Mar
Paying tribute to International Women's Day
At Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta Saturday 8 March is International Women's Day, celebrating all manner of achievements by women from all walks of life who are making waves around the world - and here at the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta Posted on 2 Mar
Light and late start to Sydney Harbour Regatta
A change in conditions tomorrow may prove the tipping point for the Wildling 3 crew and the rest It was light on for breeze, shifty and late to start because of those things at the Nautilus Marine Sydney Harbour Regatta opener and while the breeze remained relatively light, it was a spectacular summer-like day on the first weekend of autumn Posted on 1 Mar
TP52 Pallas Capital Gold Cup Act 1 preview
Last year's winner will face stiff competition throughout the fleet The Pallas Capital Gold Cup for TP52's in Australia will commence with Act 1 in Sydney as part of the Sydney Harbour Regatta on March 1 and 2. Posted on 25 Feb
Sydney Harbour Regatta 20 year celebrations!
An event where club racers match it with Olympians, America's Cup & world champion sailors Sydney Harbour Regatta is in two weekend's time and MHYC has extended entry to 25 February and revealed some prizes for 20th anniversary edition from 1-2 March in an event where club racers match it with Olympians, America's Cup & world champion sailors. Posted on 23 Feb
Elizabeth Tucker and Cole Brauer interview
Crosbie Lorimer talks with the pair about the passing of the torch and the things to come With the arrival of First Light in Sydney yesterday after her passage from Spain, Crosbie Lorimer took the opportunity to talk to Elizabeth Tucker (Za, as she likes to be known) and Cole Brauer at Middle Harbour Yacht Club. Posted on 21 Feb
Maritimo M75Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_SY BOTTOMV-DRY-X