Perfect sailing weather assisted the eight yachts in Saturday’s Pittwater race that contributes to the CYCA’s 2024/25 Club Marine Short Haul Passage Pointscore.

The fleet leaves Sydney Harbour. Credit – Eric Blake

Following the midday start, the fleet turned left out of the heads with a 15-knot southerly escorting them all the way to the Pittwater finish line. A brisk pace was set in the non-spinnaker race, with Terry Wise’s Dibley 46 More Witchcraft the first to finish in a little over three hours.

Mark Ayto’s S&S 34 Western Morning placed first Overall on PHS, followed by Hugh O’Neill’s Cavalier 37 Indefensible in second and John Taylor’s Cavalier 395 Allegro in third.

Ayto found Saturday’s race “really enjoyable” but was pretty “tired” following the win.

“It was nice to go out with some good mates and go somewhere different,” Ayto said of the destination race.

Western Morning crosses the finish line in Pittwater. Credit – Eric Blake

Darren McSorley’s crew on the Hanse 445 Lunacy, along with some of the other competitors, had “a few quiet ales…” at Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay post-race on Saturday evening.

The fleet returned to Sydney Harbour in a second race leaving Pittwater on Sunday.

Sunday’s race saw a fleet of six battle the southerly, where gusts reached up to 30 knots. Most of the fleet had one or two reefs in their mainsails for the work home.

On board Lunacy for Sunday’s race. Credit – Darren McSorley

The Lunacy crew were taken by surprise learning of their win on PHS Overall for Sunday’s race, from another competitor who gave them the good news on the CYCA dock. In second was Michael Selby’s X412 Cyrene 3, with Western Morning in third.

It was McSorley’s first time competing in the destination race, and there’s no doubt he’ll be back for more next year after a wonderful weekend of racing and socialising.

“It was wet, but clear – nice and sunny,” McSorley said of Sunday’s race. “Wind was on the nose, but everyone had a good time.”