Entries closing soon for Sydney Harbour Regatta 2012, March 10-11

by www.sail-world.com on 19 Feb 2012 The Sydney Harbour Regatta 2012, Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 March is Sydney’s premier yacht racing event with over 300 yachts and 2,500 crew members expected to be sailing both inshore and offshore, on as many as ten course areas and up to twenty-five divisions will race, with the majority of classes racing on both days.

Electronic entries close 2400 hrs Friday 24 February, 2012.

To download the Notice of Race and to enter online visit the event website www.shr.mhyc.com.au

This uniquely Sydney event, conceived by Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC) and is run with the assistance of a network of key Sydney Yacht Clubs - CYCA, MYC, RANSA, RPAYC, RPEYC, RSYS, SASC and SFS.

There are classes for boats of all sizes and shapes.

IRC Class (Windward / Leeward), IRC Class (Ocean Passage), PHS Class (Ocean Passage), One Design Classes, Sports Boat Class (ASBA NSW Championship) and Elliott 7 Class, Super 30 Class. PHS Class (Cavalier 28 - NSW Championship), PHS Class (Spinnaker), PHS Class (Non Spinnaker), PHS Class (Classic & Gaff Rig Classic), Production Boat Classes, Historic 18 Skiffs.

As in past years the Performance Handicap fleet is again large with spinnaker and non-spinnaker divisions.

Within the Sports Boat Division the Elliott 7’s are expected to have a strong fleet ahead of their Australian Championship being sailed as part of Sail Port Stephens.

The event provides the Flying Tiger 10m Class Australian Championship, the NSW State Championships for the Cavalier 28 Class and the International Yngling Class and also forms part of the Summer Pointscore Series for the International Etchells and International Dragon Classes.

Principal Race officer Denis Thompson commented today ‘This event is a significant event on the sailing calendar and we once again expect to see the Harbour filled with sails. Racing is conducted on the waters of Sydney Harbour and offshore for the IRC grand prix yachts.

'It is exciting that Rob Hanna’s TP52 Shogun V is coming north to compete against Marcus Blackmore’s TP52 Hooligan at both this regatta and then at the NSW IRC Championship Sail Port Stephens in April.

‘With the Rolex Sydney Hobart winner Stephen Ainsworth’s Reichel Pugh 63 Loki and Queenslander Peter Harburg’s canting keeler, the Reichel Pugh 66 Blackjack, there will be a very interesting battle at the front of the IRC Windward /Leeward fleet.

Geelong skipper Rob Hanna is keen to mix it at the sharp end. He said today ‘We are very much looking forward to the Sydney Harbour Regatta. Marcus and his great team sailed over us at the Rolex regatta, but we’ve had much more time on the boat since then and we are expecting to give a good account of ourselves this time up. ‘

There is a new event format will include live entertainment and the traditional post race beach party back at Middle Harbour Yacht Club on both nights.

MHYC Commodore Julie Hodder said ‘We’re excited about our action packed weekend event this year. We feel having racing for all classes across two days followed immediately by Sunday’s prize presentation and live performance from the Wolverines will create a great atmosphere post race back at the Club.'

'We very much look forward to welcoming all competitors, their family and friends to MHYC on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons to enjoy a beach barbecue and great entertainment,' she said.

In a recent major development MHYC has announced two significant sponsorships. Helly Hansen, an important sailing apparel and footwear brand and MHYC's exclusive Apparel Partner, has signed on as the Major Sponsor along with Sydney Ports Corporation.

All entrants (owners, skippers and crew) are eligible to be in the draw to win a major prize from Mariner Boating Holidays - a trip for two people to participate in the 2013 ‘Italian Job Yacht Rally’ valued at $15,000 (including international airfares and domestic transfers).

The lucky winner and a guest will be able to take part in the 14 day rally along the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Entry is open to everyone competing in the 2012 Sydney Harbour Regatta (owners, skippers and crew) – simply register online at the Sydney Harbour Regatta website www.shr.mhyc.com.au before close of entries and be on site at MHYC on Sunday evening 11 March, 2012 during prize presentation to be eligible to win.

Electronic entries close 2400 hrs Friday 24 February, 2012

To download the Notice of Race and to enter online visit the event website www.shr.mhyc.com.au

For further assistance or additional information please contact the MHYC Sailing Office on 02 9969 1244 or email sailing.manager(at)mhyc.com.au