Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race 2015: race cancelled
Middle Harbour Yacht announced today the cancellation of the Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race 2015.
MHYC Commodore John McCuaig advised the lack of entries in both the monohull and multihull divisions drove the decision not to continue planning for the race start on March 27. “It’s a disappointing outcome for both my club and for our partner, Mooloolaba Yacht Club.
“Last year we did our best to the get the mixed multihull and monohull race off the ground with only three entries. Only one boat finished and that was Team Australia. With the same level of entries this year, pushing ahead to run the race with those numbers just isn’t practical.
“I am unsure as to what will happen to the race in the future and if Middle Harbour will look at running it. For now the club will put all its energy into its signature Sydney Harbour Regatta which is on this weekend,” McCuaig said.
The first Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race was run in 1964 and called the Sydney to Brisbane race. The race finish moved to Mooloolaba in 1973 so the fleet didn't have to negotiate the tides and sandbanks of Moreton Bay. The race ran continually until 2006. Between 2007 and 2013 the race wasn’t conducted. In 2014 Middle Harbour Yacht Club worked in conjunction with Sean Langman to reinvigorate the race, offering for the first time both monohull and multihull entries.
McCuaig thanked Mooloolaba Yacht Club and all who have been involved in organising and supporting the race.
For enquiries on the 2015 Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race, please contact the MHYC Sailing Manager, Andrew Phillips on (02) 9969 1244 or by email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Entries Close Friday 13th March, 2015
Entry for this year’s Sydney Mooloolaba Yacht Race closes on the Friday 13th March. To download the Notice of Race for this event, go http://www.smyr.mhyc.com.au/
To assist the event organisers, Middle Harbour Yacht Club and Mooloolaba Yacht Club, it is important that all skippers intending to compete this year complete their online entry form as soon as possible.
The 469 mile, Category 2, monohull and multihull coastal classic will start on Friday 27th March 2015.
To read the 2015 race news and to check out the list of entries, go http://www.smyr.mhyc.com.au/.
We look forward to your participation in the 2015 race.
Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race: First Entry prize goes to Quikpoint Azzurro
The first monohull entry for this year’s Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race is Shane Kearns’ Sydney-based 34-foot Quikpoint Azzurro.
Run by Middle Harbour Yacht Club in conjunction with Mooloolaba Yacht Club, the 469 nautical mile race starts on Friday 27th March 2015 and is open to both monohulls and multihulls.
“Somebody had to be first,” Kearns said. “I have been watching the online entry system since we returned from Hobart. Maybe everybody is still on holidays.
Shane Kearns' Quikpoint Azzurro approaching Hobart in last year's Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race - Credit - Rolex / Carlo Borlenghi
“At some stage we wanted to be first in something so we are pleased we are the first to enter. Even the name Azzurro ensures we are first in the sked,” Kearns added.
Kearns is keen to keep racing offshore right through the second half of the summer season. With the Gosford to Lord Howe Island race cancelled and no other offshore race out of Sydney until later in the year, the Mooloolaba race is a perfect fit for his program.
“This is the next offshore race. Otherwise we would have to wait for July. The Mooloolaba race is the only one of real length now that the Lord Howe race has gone. Waiting for the Gold Coast race, well half the year is already gone,” the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia fleet member said.
The Mooloolaba race is a return journey for Kearns. About 12 months ago Kearns found his boat, then named Shenandoah II, in Mooloolaba. Unable to sail the near-wreck anywhere he moved her to Lawrie’s Boat Yard in March where for several arduous months he restored the boat. He then sailed her south in time to make the start line of last year’s Sydney Hobart Race. They finished third in ORCi Division 4.
Kearns has competed in the Mooloolaba race several times in previous years with his sailing school entry, Komatsu Blue Lady. His last race north was in 2004 with his Mumm 36, Komatsu A Few Good Men.
Entries in both the monohull and multihull divisions for this year’s race are expected to flood in as many of the skippers and crew return to work from the end of January.
The Notice of Race and online entry system are on the event website, http://smyr.mhyc.com.au.
For enquiries on the 2015 Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race, please contact the MHYC Sailing Manager, Andrew Phillips on (02) 9969 1244 or by email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race 2015: Online Entry open
Online entry for the Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race, which starts on Sydney Harbour on Friday 27th March 2015, is now open.
The race is being organised by Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC) in partnership with Mooloolaba Yacht Club (MYC).
Boat owners of both monohulls and multihulls that are no less than 7.3m LWL and comply with Yachting Australia’s Special Regulations Part 1 for Category 2, are invited to compete in the 469 mile coastal challenge.
Racing will be in five categories – IRC, Performance Handicap System, ORCi, One Design classes as selected by the Organising Authority and OMR Multihulls.
The Notice of Race and Online Entry are available through the event website, http://smyr.mhyc.com.au. Entry is open until Friday 15th March 2015.
For enquiries on the 2015 Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race, skippers should the MHYC Sailing Manager, Andrew Phillips on (02) 9969 1244 or by email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race 2015: Notice of Race released
The 2015 Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race Notice of Race has been released today by the event organisers Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC) and the race partner club, Mooloolaba Yacht Club (MYC).
Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race 2015. George Snow’s Brindabella racing at 22knots towards Mooloolaba in the 1995 race. Photographer – Mike Kenyon, kenyonsportsphotos
Boat owners of both monohulls and multihulls that are no less than 7.3m LWL and comply with Yachting Australia’s Special Regulations Part 1 for Category 2, are invited to compete in the 469 mile coastal challenge.
The start date for the race will be Friday 27th March 2015.
MHYC Commodore John McCuaig reported the decision to move the start date out to Friday was made in light of many sailors wanting to compete in the favoured race, but with the least amount of time taken away from their work.
“We are all time poor these days so we have tried to try to lessen the pressure on the boat owners and crew by making the start date right at a weekend. Many of the crews will enjoy a long weekend of racing the east coast from New South Wales to Queensland and still have time to get the boats back to their home ports by the end of Easter and in time for the Port Stephens Regatta which is on from 13th April or get ready to race in the Brisbane to Gladstone Race,” McCuaig said.
Racing will be in five categories – IRC, Performance Handicap System, ORCi, One Design classes as selected by the Organising Authority and OMR Multihulls.
The online entry system will open in November at http://smyr.mhyc.com.au and close on Friday 15th March 2015.
Sean Langman’s ORMA 60, Team Australia, set the race multihull record this year of 53 hours, 48 minutes and 40 seconds. Langman will be competing again in 2015 and is keen to see a strong fleet of mulithulls take up the challenge of the race and breaking that record. He thinks there may even be enough inter-state rivalry to generate a special prize.
Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race 2015. Team Australia’s crew for the 2014 race - Larry Jamieson, Ben Kelly, Sean Langman (skipper), Peter Langman, James Ogilvie and Josh Alexander (seated). Photographer - Mike Kenyon, kenyonsportsphotos
Both the Sydney and Brisbane offshore fleets have started talking up the race as they put together their race programs for the post-Christmas racing season. Tony Kirby’s Patrice, Matt Allen’s Ichi Ban, Keith Batt’s Mant Ragamuffin and Jim Cooney’s 80-foot Brindabella are all possible starters. They are all contenders to break the monohull line honours record of 68 hours, one minute and 43 seconds set by George Snow’s Brindabella in 1994.
The Notice of Race can be downloaded from the event website, http://smyr.mhyc.com.au.
For enquiries on the 2015 Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race, please contact the MHYC Sailing Manager, Andrew Phillips on (02) 9969 1244 or by email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.