Competitors can now sign up for the 2024 Nautilus Marine InsuranceSydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC), with entry open and the Notice of Race published on the official event website.
The SSORC, to be held over two days on the weekend of 23 and 24 November on offshore courses, is an ideal opportunity to get the early jump on rivals and to train for the offshore summer sailing season ahead of the Rolex Sydney Hobart and other upcoming events.
Racing will be held in Premier (IRC, ORCi and TPR); Performance (PHS) and One Design classes. Races in this Championship also form part of the MHYC Ocean Pointscore Series 2024-2025 and Race 1 forms part of the CYCA Ocean Pointscore Series 2024-2025.
A short ocean race is planned for Day 1. On Day 2 there is a switch to offshore windward/leeward races that will mix things up and test everyone. Both day’s races will start and finish in Watsons Bay and winners will be those who deal best with the variety of courses.
Expect to see Division 1 IRC top three from last year, Bob Cox (Nine Dragons), Gordon Ketelbey (Zen) and Rob Aldis (Khaleesi) return. Jack Stening and Colin Gunn, last year’s Division 2 winners with Stormaway, are now campaigning the Sydney 38 Gusto and will move to Division 1 this year.
Others in 2023’s Division 2 top three, Foreign Affair (Matt Wilkinson) and Wailea (Neil Padden), are also expected back along with RPAYC’s Bullwinkle (Peter Farrugia).
Now in its 47th year, Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s (MHYC) SSORC is run in conjunction with the Seven Islands Race, for those who prefer the cut and thrust of a round the islands Harbour course with its pursuit style start from the Club.
Held on the opening day of the SSORC, the Seven Islands Race is a game of ‘catch me if you can’ and again provides the opportunity of maximising teamwork and training against a wide variety of designs and lengths of boats. First past the post back at the Club wins.
First last year was the Mitch White skippered MC38, InfoTrack. Second and third places went to David Ross’ Cape 31 Kukukerchu and Michael Ritchie’s Ritchie 38, Revolver, respectively. No doubt the three will be keen to have another go.
“Running the SSORC and the Seven Islands Race concurrently offers yachties a choice of short offshore races and Harbour racing at its best. We’re looking forward to seeing you all on one of the start lines and to welcoming you back to our Club for the post-race presentation and festivities,” Rob Aldis, Commodore of MHYC and a fixture at the SSORC, commented.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to also thank Nautilus Marine Insurance (NMI), our main event partner since 2022 and a perfect fit for the SSORC and our Sydney Harbour Regatta in March. They are a key part of Nautilus Marine Insurance’s partnership with MHYC,” Commodore Aldis finished.
Standard entries for SSORC close on Friday 15 November, with late entries take up until Wednesday 20 November.
For entry and Notice of Race, please visit: www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au
Di Pearson/MHYC media
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