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Updates to 2021-22 CYCA racing calendar

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia values the input of its Members and competitors.

We asked for your feedback on all aspects of our Summer Season racing calendar – what you want to see more of, your suggested changes and how we can support you with information both on and off water. 

As a result, the following changes will be implemented for the 2021-22 Summer Season:

Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore

  • Our premier Pointscore had a reduced season in 2020 but it remained as popular as ever, with 41 entries for the series.
  • A few changes will be made to the Pointscore this year, including the major changes of the finish line for all races that finish in Sydney Harbour being moved to Watsons Bay, and the Newcastle Bass Island Race being replaced with a new race – the Tollgate Islands Race.
  • The Tollgate Islands sit off Batemans Bay and will see the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore fleet compete in a 260nm race, starting in Sydney Harbour, rounding Tollgate Islands and returning to Sydney Harbour. This race will be a qualifying race for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and provides competitors with the perfect training race in the lead up to the Great Race.
  • A new Corinthian IRC Division will also be added to recognise the achievements of fully amateur crews.
  • The Wild Rose Pointscore will be added to the 2021-22 Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore. This will be an IRC Pointscore in which 10 per cent of a boat’s crew must be female in order to be eligible. The Club is looking to change the culture of offshore racing and provide increased opportunities for women to race in our premier Pointscore. When reviewed, the Club found that 60 per cent of entries in the last Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore did not have a single female on board. As such, this Pointscore is aimed at recognising entries that help to champion female sailors and increase visibility of women in offshore racing.

Summer Offshore Series

  • The Summer Offshore Series will return in 2021-22 following a successful inaugural series. The Summer Offshore Series not only provided our fleet with some blue water style racing after a reduced Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore but was also found to be a great training series for competitors looking to build experience in longer offshore races.
  • The majority of competitors expressed support for the inclusion of a longer race and the Montague Island Race will now feature as Race 3 in the Series. This race has been moved away from the traditional date in October, which encountered difficult wind conditions, to late March and will introduce a new challenge to the Summer Offshore Series.

Two-Handed Sailing

  • Following the success of the Two-Handed Pointscore in 2020-21, competitors have expressed a desire for more racing. This year’s Two-Handed Pointscore will feature three Category 4 races and three Category 2 races. The Category 2 races will again be held in conjunction with the Summer Offshore Series.
  • The Club will also introduce a Two-Handed Division into the Ocean Pointscore. This will provide an additional eight Category 4 races across the season for two-handed sailors to compete against a larger fleet. The Ocean Pointscore is the perfect training series for our Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore or Summer Offshore Series and will allow two-handed sailors more opportunity to build their experience.

Short Ocean Pointscore and Short Haul Pointscore

  • The survey exhibited widespread support for more course variation across both fleets, particularly the inclusion of more passage style races.
  • The Sailing Office has contacted the SOPS fleet directly, with two potential additional course options; an additional Botany Bay Race and a Pittwater Passage Race Weekend. Following a response from the competitors, the Sailing Office will update the Summer Program accordingly.  
  • Additionally, the Short Haul Pointscore fleet has been contacted regarding an additional Botany Bay Race and the Sailing Office looks forward to receiving further feedback from competitors, following which any appropriate changes to the calendar will be made.

Wednesday Twilight Series

  • Following feedback, a compulsory series briefing, including racing rules components, will take place ahead of the opening race of the Series.
  • The Wednesday Twilights will also return to a non-pointscore series in 2021-22.

Information evenings

  • The CYCA’s information evenings cover a broad range of topics to provide valuable knowledge to Members, competitors and guests.
  • The survey saw competitors provide many new topics for the Club to cover. The most requested of which include the Racing Rules of Sailing, Safety Audit Requirements, Two Handed Sailing Boat Set Up, Navigation, How to Prepare for a Protest and Weather.
  • Stay tuned to the CYCA website and social media channels for more information.

Please email sailingoffice@cyca.com.au if you have any queries.

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