Two offshore windward/leeward races at the 2024 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC) decided the SSORC champions for this year in conditions that were as brilliant as yesterday’s, with more sunshine and a north-easterly sea breeze beckoning.
Today’s start was north of Sow and Pigs Reef on Sydney Harbour, set by Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC), organiser of the SSORC. The three divisions were away from 11am.
Two divisions raced in the Premier IRC/ORC Premier class and in both, others toppled Day 1’s leaders.
Bob Cox won both today’s Division 1 races, adding to his third of yesterday to win the Division. One can never underestimate Cox and his DK46 Nine Dragons, as they are well known for coming from behind to take the crown.
Khaleesi, the other DK46, came into the day in second place and finished that way. Fourth and second places today were enough for MHYC Commodore, Rob Aldis, to hold on. Day 1 leader, David Ross’s Kukukerchu, finished third overall after scoring third and fifth places on his Cape 31. Just four points separated the top three, indicating just how close the racing was.
“The boat likes IRC and it likes windward/leewards,” Cox said. “The boat on boat battle was Khaleesi versus Nine Dragons and they got their nose in front on Saturday. We fought back today and opened the gap. In the last race, we literally crossed the line within a boat length. This is the best Khaleesi has done on windward/leeward courses.
“It was a good fleet in Division 1, with dramatically different types of yachts. You could see the planing boats doing the job in the distance races while we’re better on the windward/leewards,” Cox said.
It is incredible Cox can sail at all after breaking his neck and ribs just six months ago, but the tough 79-year-old explained, “The crew help me out. I love my sailing and I’ve got a great crew who help me on and off the boat - and around it. Today was quite rough, but it was rough yesterday too, so I had a couple of short stints at the helm only.
“Thanks to the organisers, they did their usual good job,” Cox ended.
A similar story in Division 2, as Matt Wilkinson fared better on the windward/leeward course too, with his Farr 30, Foreign Affair. Wilkinson toppled yesterday’s leader, Bullwinkle, from the top spot after winning both races. Bullwinkle, Peter Farrugia’s Bull 9000, claimed second place overall with fourth and second places today.
Neil Padden maintained the status quo with Wailea, his Beneteau First 40.7. Padden started the day in third place and finished it that way, courtesy of second and third places.
Wilkinson said the first race of the day was in similar conditions to yesterday, “But the second race got a bit soft. It felt weird, it went down to 10-11 knots, which wasn’t as much fun.
“It was bit bumpy, probably felt more so because there wasn’t as much breeze.
“We had a great day anyway. The Bullwinkles are good mates with us – they got us yesterday – so it was good to get them back today. You couldn’t have asked for a better weekend. I love the SSORC, I’ve done it, I can’t remember how many times,” Wilkinson finished.
Hooligan kept up the pressure by winning both windward/leeward races in the TP52s, scored under TPR, adding to yesterday’s second place. Marcus Blackmore, who is away, will be exceptionally pleased with his crew and nominated skipper, Martin Hill.
After winning yesterday’s TP52 race under TPR, Craig Neil’s Quest placed second and Mark Spring’s Highly Sprung took out third place, coming in over the top of Zen in the day’s two races, the latter finishing fourth.
The Super 50 division, where the TP52s were also included, was scored under IRC. Hooligan finished in the top spot again. Craig Neil’s Quest and Gordon Ketelebey’s Zen were second and third respectively coming into the day and finished up the same way.
Blackmore’s boats are always hard to beat, no matter the combination of races, as Hill explains:
“Again, you have to say, the boat is beautifully prepared and the team Marcus has created is second to none. We had Malcolm Page as tactician and he sailed with me in the Farr 40. It was good to get the old team back together. Richie Allanson and others are aboard, they’re all good.”
Of the opportunity he was given by Blackmore, Hill, a solid skipper across many classes, said, “I’ll make sure Marcus has my number on speed dial, because I’d do it again in an instant. I’ve even got bruises of honour where I bashed into the wheel in the seaway.
“Coming past North Head and surfing down waves was fantastic. They’re such fast boats,” Hill ended.
The TP52s and all others who took part in the 47th running of the SSORC enjoyed the weekend, especially knowing that the warm sun and north-easterlies mean summer is here early.
For full results and all information on the SSORC, please visit: www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au
Di Pearson/MHYC media
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