Changes for MHYC Short Ocean Racing title
One of the key regattas of Sydney's summer season is Middle Harbour Yacht Club's Short Ocean Racing Championship. 
'Yendys - Savills Regatta 2007'
Crosbie Lorimer
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Raced on the 29th and 30th November 2008, Sydney's premier Short Ocean Racing Championship is a favourite for the Hobart bound IRC racers, Farr 40 and Sydney 38 One Designs.
Back in history this regatta was known as the Ord Minnett, then the JPMorgan, and most recently as the Savills Regatta. No matter what it has been called over the years the MHYC Short Ocean Racing Championship just grows steadily stronger.
It is considered by many sailors to be a good early form guide to the Rolex Sydney Hobart. One of the reasons often cited is boats that have their campaigns well organised, make it to the end November start line.
One of the pluses about the timing almost four weeks before the Rolex Sydney to Hobart is that if you don't have the boat speed you thought you had, then you've got time to do something about it. 
Lining up against the likely suspects in the Rolex series for the first time right before Christmas, means that it is too late to do anything major to keel, rudder, mast or sails.
This year's end of November event has taken another step up as the CYCA's Ocean Pointscore fleet will be sailing as part of this regatta.
MHYC PRO John Hurley commented today 'The Short Ocean Racing Championship has always attracted the offshore racing fleet, particularly those heading for Hobart.
'We have been looking carefully at the entries over the years and seeking feedback, and it was clear that many Club racers did not shared the same enthusiasm for the format being offered, the windward leeward racing, that the One Design and Racing IRC owners showed.
'So last year we introduced a PHS Racer/Cruiser Class which received overwhelming support. Competitors in the new division completed a passage course, commencing with a spectacular Sydney Harbour start, racing to an offshore mark and returning to the Harbour for the finish.
'Including the SORC in the CYCA Ocean Pointscore came after much consultation with the CYCA (they assist in conducting the event), and continues our commitment to delivering excellence in competitive yacht racing for all participants. The move will add around 20 more boats to the regatta.'
Hurley continued. 'Overall the regatta has the same format as last year. You have the 38s and the 40s doing their One Design racing on the Macquarie Circle course and Denis Thompson will be running that course area. On the Manly Circle the IRC Racers classes, in divisions will also be sailing windward leeward courses.
'The offshore divisions, the IRC Racer classes and the One Designs, do six races over two days with a maximum of four in one day. 
'The boats that raced the higher IRC divisions last year were the serious racers, so we were able to optimize the divisions and use two top marks so we could get Farr 40 style racing, that is all divisions took about an hour to do.
'And again this year in our passage race series, we have a third course area which is for IRC Cruiser/Racers and PHS/ Cruiser Racers. The 11am starts are off Shark Island, pretty much where the Rolex Sydney Hobart start line will be and the finishes in the harbour. The passage races might go to Long Reef or Botany Bay or Coogee, depending on the conditions, and we will be aiming for about a three hour race.
'The response from the CYCA members has been every enthusiastic to the first race of the Short Ocean Racing Championship, being an ocean point score race.
'So we will start everybody in the one line, like an ocean race, so it will be a big start line and quite spectacular.'
'Middle Harbour Yacht Club continues innovating and the Short Course Offshore Series goes from strength to strength.' 
It is interesting to note that the CYCA has announced that the Rolex Racing Regatta, which is split into One Design and Handicap rating regatta, has followed the MHYC move.
They too will have harbour starting and finishing courses for the IRC and PHS Cruiser/Racers, while the IRC Racers will be sailing windward/leewards.
All in all some great pre-Christmas racing and a good guide to Hobart programs.
Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship classes
IRC Racer Class (with appropriate Divisions) - will race Windward/Leeward Courses on the Manly Circle Course Area (six races are scheduled over two days with a maximum of four races per day). Alternative heavy weather courses may be sailed in Sydney Harbour if conditions warrant.
Sydney 38 One Design Class - Windward/Leeward Courses on the Macquarie Circle Course Area (six races are scheduled over two days with a maximum of four races per day). Alternative heavy weather courses may be sailed in Sydney Harbour if conditions warrant.
Farr 40 One Design - Windward/Leeward Courses on the Macquarie Circle Course Area (six races are scheduled over two days with a maximum of four races per day). Alternative heavy weather courses may be sailed in Sydney Harbour if conditions warrant.
IRC and PHS Cruiser/Racer Division - a common Start/Finish in Sydney Harbour with a Short Ocean Passage Race each day (two races scheduled over two days).
The Saturday race forms part of the CYCA OPS in 2008/2009.
Sydney 32 One Design Class - Start/Finish in Sydney Harbour with a Short Ocean Passage Race each day (two races scheduled over two days).
Non-offshore yachts can also participate by competing on Saturday the 29th November in the Seven Islands Race on Sydney Harbour.
Notice of Race and Entry Form can be obtained by contacting sailing@mhyc.com.au
by Rob Kothe 
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Geraldton, WA
