Light winds led to a slow and technical Short Ocean Race for the 40 competing teams last Saturday. The race encompassed the Short Ocean, Short Haul and Combined pointscores bringing together the fleets for a spectacular sight in Sydney Harbour.

The race started 1200hrs from just north of Shark Island in 7-9 knots of nor-easterly breeze. The air quickly lightened within an hour though to 3-6 knots making for tactical thinking and boats searching the racecourse for breeze.

Welcome relief was to come though with the nor-easter picking up to 10-12 knots by 3pm, sending the fleet home in a little more style.

Rob Aldis’ DK46 Khaleesi (MHYC) reigned supreme in the Short Ocean Pointscore, picking up the IRC Division 1 crown while Division 2 went to Jack Stening & Colin Gunn’s Sydney 36 Stormaway (MHYC). ORCi Div1 was won by Seb Bohm’s TP52 Smuggler (CYCA) while Div2 went to Dennis Cooper’s Sydney 36 MOD Amante (CYCA). PHS Div1 was claimed by Director David Griffith’s JV62 Whisper (CYCA) while Div2 went to Phil Hersovics’ Sydney 38 Shine On (CYCA).

In the Short Haul Pointscore, Ian Guanaria’s Beneteau First 35 One More No More claimed top spot for IRC while Alex Stewart’s Sydney 36 Yputakiteup took home PHS.

Smuggler saw success again in the Combined Pointscore, claiming IRC, ORCi and PHS Div1 while John Amos’ Sydney 38 Utopia won IRC and PHS Div2. ORCi Div2 went to Charles Parry-Okeden’s Beneteau First 40.7 Crystal Cutter III.

Click here for full Short Ocean Pointscore results

Click here for full Short Haul Pointscore results

Click here for full Combined Pointscore results

The Short Ocean and Short Haul pointscores will continue Saturday 20 March with the Milson Memorial Cup. Last Saturday’s Short Ocean Race marked the conclusion of the 2020-21 Combined Pointscore.