Race 13, Australian Championship Heat 2

Race report

Yendys wins in a classic nor’easter

With the first heat of the Titles having been postponed due to high winds, the second heat was sailed on Saturday in a classic nor’easter. The 15 knot breeze came in early and remained steady, although with a lot of east in it, throughout the day. After a couple of years of light to medium easterlies, the cycle this year has seen hard breezes from the north or nor’west more often than not. A classic nor’easter was overdue.

Eight starters greeted the starter with only Britannia and Top Weight missing from the fleet. (We are really looking forward to getting both boats back on the water when, along with Myra Too, we shall have eleven boats competing).

Most of the fleet chose the boat end for the scratch start with Aberdare and Yendys claiming the pin end. As always, it was a grand sight seeing the fleet hit the start. Scot got away well but, shortly after the gun, although sailing with good boat speed, she was falling down on the high pointing Yendys before being forced to tack away. With a big ebb tide, and with a lot of east in the breeze as well, it was a sprint to Bradleys to take advantage of the right handers and the outgoing tide.

Tacking on to port, Yendys had taken the lead and, closely followed by Aberdare, crossed the fleet and headed out into the channel. Normally, a quick tack back on to starboard would be the order of the day, but to everyone’s surprise, and despite the wind against tide, the seaway was relatively smooth enabling longer tacks to take advantage of the tide. Increasingly in Sydney Harbour, it is the big powerboats at speed and pushing a lot of water that are causing rough water conditions. Most sailors would like to see an 8 knot limit on Saturdays on the entire Harbour and for some measures to be introduced to reduce congestion at Bradleys Head.

A good tacking duel between Yendys and Aberdare saw Yendys round the Beashel Buoy 2 minutes ahead of Aberdare. On the second part of the beat up to the Beashel Buoy, Yendys had taken a mid-channel course, while Aberdare opted for the western shore. Australia, too, had kept to the centre and rounded only a minute behind Aberdare. They were followed by Australia IV and The Mistake each separated by a minute. Alruth, Scot and Tangalooma followed.

The run down to the Shark Island gybe mark, usually a square run, was three-quarter shy giving some good rides to the crews, especially as they approached Steele Point and then again (as often is the case) uncomfortably on the gybe itself.

After the run to the Clark Island bottom mark, we now have a slightly longer beat to windward to round the Chowder Bay North mark. Again, it paid to take advantage of the tide mid channel. Mike Van Stom, Yendys’ sheet hand, provided evidence from his Strava app after the race showing that Yendys lifted on almost every tack with her race plan led by Bucko, back on board after his Sydney-Bermagui yachting adventures.

The run to Shark Island, easier now with the new Chowder mark, saw little change in the placings. It is good to pause here to say that in 15 knots of breeze on the challenging No.1 Course, it is terrific to see how well all boats are sailing. Those with the newbies this year are doing particularly well and this augers well for the future.

At the finish, Yendys (Barry “Bazzer” Watson) took the chocolates to finish over 7 minutes ahead of the well-sailed Aberdare (Michael “Flipper” Carter) with the always consistent Australia IV (Terry Stewart) 2 minutes back in third place. They were followed by Australia, Alruth, Scot, The Mistake and Tangalooma.

The entire fleet finished within 20 minutes of the winner showing that the handicaps are pretty much spot on presently. This was borne out in the handicap result on the day that saw Australia (Marshall Flanagan) first, The Scot (David Paget) second and Aberdare third. In the race for the Aussie Title though, Yendys remains the skiff to beat.

The postponed first heat of the Championships will be sailed on the Saturday after the third heat (to be confirmed).

Thanks, as always, to the volunteers: you know we couldn’t do it without you.

Australia Day Regatta

Did you know that the only reason that the RSYS Australia Day Regatta can claim the status of being the longest continuous sailing regatta in the world is because of the Sydney Flying Squadron? During the war years, when most yachting races were suspended, the SFS maintained the tradition for the RSYS by running skiff races on Anniversary (Australia) Day. The Regatta has been continuous therefore from 1837. Quite an achievement!

Only two 18s fronted up for the annual Australia Day Regatta last weekend. Scot was well and truly over-crewed with 10 sailors on board thanks to a good attendance by some of our trainees. (The extra weight was not wasted in what turned out to be quite a stiff southerly).

A4 won off scratch by 3 minutes, but the favourable handicap saw Scot the winner on handicap by 5 minutes. Thanks to Terry Stewart and Ryan Paget for keeping up the tradition.

Fergy naming ceremony

This Saturday 31st January, Suzie Conway will be at the club to officially christen our new RIB, Fergy. Proceedings will take place on the boat ramp prior to the race.

Farewell for Billy Loader

The sailing community from near and far gathered after the race on Saturday to farewell Billy Loader. It was a beautiful event and Billy would have been chuffed to see the turn out, but really he would have loved to be there having a beer with his mates.

Gemini for sale

Our old yellow RIB is up for sale. She is in need of some serious TLC and work but could be a good project. Make us an offer!

The printed report, with its photographs, is on the page for Race Report 24 January 2026 in the news archive.