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