Entries open for Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship

Division 1 start in 2024 SSORC © Andrea Francolini, SSORC

Entries have opened and regulars and first timers alike are expected to take part in the 2025 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC) when a mix of passage and windward/leeward courses will put every crew through their paces to decide the best across both styles of racing.

The 48th edition of Middle Harbour Yacht Club's (MHYC) Championship is to be held over the weekend of 29 and 30 November. Entry and the Notice of Race (NoR) are now online.

Apart from the usual Division 1 and 2 boats, organisers are also expecting a small fleet of TP52 to take part.

Planned for the weekend is an ocean passage race as the opener with short offshore windward/leeward races on the Sunday, set to test everyone's mettle. Nobody wants to be caught short on the fast and furious windward/leewards where good team work means all. All races will start and finish in Watsons Bay.

Off the start in last year's Premier Division - photo © MHYC

Races in this Championship additionally form part of the MHYC Ocean Pointscore Series, while the Saturday race forms part of the CYCA Summer Short Offshore Series.

Entry into the SSORC is free for entrants in these series, although they must enter online and comply with the requirements of the NoR.

You can't keep a good man down and Bob Cox, winner of Division 1 for the past four years, is sure to be there with his DK46, Nine Dragons.

Wailea is often on the podium - photo © MHYC

The same can be said for Neil Padden, who has skippered his Beneteau 40.7 Wailea to Division 2 third overall in 2023 and 2024.

Padden keeps returning, he says, "Because the crew and I enjoy regattas. We always do the SSORC, Pittwater Regatta, Sydney Harbour Regatta and Sail Port Stephens.

"The SSORC is a great mix of racing; one day of a Passage Race and then windward/leewards the next day. We don't do much offshore racing, so the windward/leewards are our stronger point," he explained.

"It's always a well-organised regatta, so that's part of what we enjoy. The visiting boats seem to enjoy the regatta too, so it's also a chance to race against other clubs' boats.

Padden concluded, "We've had some success at the SSORC, which is encouraging - we've also had some disasters!"

Daguet 2, the Mylius 50 owned by MHYC Commodore Rob Aldis and Peter Byford are committed to entering, as is MHYC Special Events Chairman Ian Box with his XP44, Toy Box 2. Both yachts sail in Division 1.

"It's an event that's steeped in history and has longevity," Box commented.

"It's important to keep the tradition and continuity of the event moving forward, to hang onto the historical value of having an offshore Championship," said Box, a past Commodore of the Club.

"The long held ambition is for the boats from the CYCA that take part on the Saturday in the Summer Short Offshore Series pointscore, to stay and race on Sunday as well, as many have in the past," he said.

Like Bob Cox, Box is a staple at the annual event with his competitive Toybox 2 that has enjoyed its share of wins. At the SSORC, Box faces regular competitors along with new campaigners and says of the competition: "The high level of competition is good to sail against!"

The racing, Box says, "Is a mix of a passage race and shorter windward/leewards, where you have to be disciplined and can make gains at the corners. The best at both decides the overall winners."

A two-day Championship, it has traditionally been a shakedown for those yachts taking part in the Rolex Sydney Hobart and is sailed on courses off Sydney's Heads and has the added challenge of Harbour exits and entry to the finish lines.

Seven Islands Race is competitive and fun - photo © Andrea Francolini, MHYC

The SSORC is run in conjunction with the Seven Islands Race, for those who prefer a challenge against a variety of designs and a romp around Sydney Harbour's famous islands. It offers a pursuit style start from the Club where the event also finishes.

Standard entries for the SSORC close on Friday 21 November, so sign up now. Late entries will be accepted up until 5pm on Wednesday 26 November.

For entry and Notice of Race, please visit www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au