race report · 6 March 2025

Race Results 1 March 2025

Race report for 1 March 2025, sailed within the Middle Harbour Yacht Club's Sydney Harbour Regatta, sponsored by Nautilus Marine Insurance. A light 5 to 7 knot easterly gave a Mark Foy handicap start on the number 2 East course.

SYDNEY HARBOUR REGATTA

Yendys Dials in Another Easterly, Girls Rock and an Unplanned Swim

All on water photos with thanks to SFS Life Member, and Chief Rescue Officer, Barley Stewart

The Sydney Harbour Regatta is a popular annual event organised by the Middle Harbour Yacht Club. Lead sponsored this year by Nautilus Marine Insurance, all of the main yacht clubs, along with the SFS, participate in races from one end of Port Jackson to the other.

Another light easterly greeted the fleet as they arrived for a Mark Foy start in about 5-7 knots of breeze. There was some discussion on the beach that the breeze would freshen and go around to the NE. But by the time the committee boat was on station, the easterly had settled in. So, it was the No. 2 Course … again, for the umpteenth time this season.

Mistake (Jerry Tickner) was first away followed by Tangalooma (Neville Turbit) 5 minutes later. Australia would have followed had it not been for a misunderstanding during a gybe back to the start line when the lee cloth manager was missing in action. The skiff quickly filled up just off Kurraba Point and applications were commenced for a renewal of membership of the Careening Cove Swimming Club for Marshall Flanagan and the crew. After a tow back to the ramp in Careening Cove — and a lot of bailing, the crew is to be applauded for getting back and starting the race well over half an hour after Australia’s start time.

Top Weight (Terry Stewart) was next away after Tangalooma, followed by Alruth (Alan Robertson) that was early and might have caused some consternation for the Race Committee had the final results been closer.

Aberdare (Michael Carter), on her improved handicap of 7 minutes got away well with by far and away the best looking crew (no, not you Flipper!) that included four girls, Anne, Anna, Renata and Dimi. This may be a record for 18 footers and we shall get the historians on to that to check if it is. Note that the results sheet confirms that this terrific crew recorded third fastest time around the course, showing the lads …

Photo thanks to Selwyn Blac

And finally, off scratch, Yendys set off, no doubt relishing the breeze that has seen her hardly beaten in a handicap race this season in light conditions.

After the long work up to Shark Island, Tangalooma, continuing her fine sailing record this season, had overhauled Mistake and led Mistake by almost 4 minutes at the top mark. Top Weight had closed up on Mistake and rounded a minute astern followed by Alruth, Aberdare and Yendys who were all posing a threat to the leaders.

Big, colourful spinnakers were the order of the day for the run back to Kirribilli. The breeze had not yet gone left and it remained a fairly easy square run. Both Yendys and Top Weight set their ringtails (“tell us what’s a ringtail, Fergie?”) to close the gap on the leaders. Despite that, Tangalooma rounded the bottom mark 3 minutes ahead of Mistake with a margin of less than 4 minutes separating the chasing pack of Top Weight, Yendys, Alruth and Aberdare in that order, at the mark,

By this stage of the race, there were no bookies taking bets on Yendys being anything other than first. With another lap to go, Yendys, with Adrian Dunphy again on the helm, rounded at speed and showed again why she is nearly impossible to beat in these conditions. Some put it down to the spring in the hull design, but whatever it is, it is clear that Yendys points around 5 degrees higher than her competition. On the short tack across to Cremorne Point, Yendys stormed past Top Weight and Mistake and set off in pursuit of Tangles.

On the work up to Shark Island, the big run-out tide was operating as all of the fleet sought to take advantage of it. Yendys rounded well inside Tangalooma, proving again that in a run-out tide, it is always best to tack over to the Island and to round as close to the lighthouse as possible, lest the tide out in the middle take you too far north of the Island when you have to sail longer and against it to get back.

So Yendys rounded first and, unless struck by lightening or similar catastrophe, had the chocolates in her keeping. Tangalooma, still sailing well, was second around and had maintained her lead over the rest of the fleet.

With the predicted NE breeze still absent, it was an uneventful run to the line with Yendys finishing 3 minutes ahead of the still-improving Tangalooma. Top Weight, showing off with another ringtail, came in third to earn a place at the prizegiving at MHYC on Monday night. Mistake, Alruth and Aberdare followed in a bit of a close drag race to the line with only 17 seconds separating them. Poor Australia, after her …

Presentation at MHYC - Photos thanks to Barley Stewart

Yendys’ elapsed time was an impressive 16 minutes faster than any other boat in the fleet. When the weather gods can be that kind to our champion skiff in light conditions, we may have to find a way to slow her down. Sea anchors, anyone?

Thanks, as always, to the volunteers, especially to Barley and her crew for getting Australia back on the course. It’s on again next Saturday when photo opportunities will abound with the first heat of the JJs also on the Harbour. See you then.

A very warm welcome to Rolf Cohen who joins our fraternity as CEO of SFS. Rolf will report to your new board of directors with a strong mandate to improve the financial and social performance of the Club and its subsidiary, Patton’s Slipways Pty Ltd. We aim for a much improved surplus from the operations of the Club and Patton’s that will be applied to the development of sailing at the SFS and the long overdue improvement in the fabric of, and members’ facilities at, our Kirribilli home.

Rolf has had a long association with sailing and skiffs in Sydney. He is presently President of the Manly 16 foot Skiff Sailing Club, where he has been a director for over 20 years. During this time, the combined Manly and St George Skiff Clubs have invested $15M in capital improvements and now have a combined turnover in excess of $30M per year. Rolf has led this progress and now brings his management, marketing and technical skills to the Squaddie.

For the record, there is absolutely no suggestion of an amalgamation, or anything other than a closer relationship on a sailing level between all skiff clubs in Sydney as a result of Rolf’s appointment.

Rolf shares the views of your directors that opportunities abound for the development of sailing and for improvements at our spectacular waterfront venue to support that. He is brimming with enthusiasm and ideas. Please introduce yourself to Rolf and welcome him to our Club.

Only FIVE races to go for the 2024-2025 season - don’t miss out!

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Sydney Flying Squadron Ltd — Australia’s oldest open boat sailing club, 76 McDougall St, Kirribilli NSW 2061. Email: info@sydneyflyingsquadron.com.au Phone: (02) 9955 8350