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The Sayonara Challenge Cup, scheduled for the 15th – 19th January 2024, will not be going ahead. While the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron received much interest from invited clubs to challenge, no valid challenges were received as required by the protocol and deed of gift.

'The last 30 miles was fantastic sailing' writes RSYS member Bruce Watson, 'but didn’t reflect what the other 600 was like!’

David Griffith, skipper of Whisper writes, ‘The various 600+nm ocean races around the world are tough events.

Nigel Stoke, skipper of Fidelis writes, 'The CYCA held the Classic Yacht Regatta over the weekend of 9 and 10 December with Classic Yachts invited that had been launched pre 1976 and also had competed in a Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

The 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has begun! RSYS has several boats and members heading down to Tasmania.

Graeme Smith, skipper of Gail Force writes, 'Coming off a win the previous week, the handicap was not in our favour, however the wind was touching 20 knots in most places of the harbour and we had an exciting evening afloat.

Rod Pearse skipper of Ultreya writes, ‘For the last race of the Spring Series, there was a three-way contest between Ultreya, Peregrine and Cuckoo’s Nest for the series win. It was a hot day and not much wind. Course six was set by the race officer, Nicholas Hogg; three loops from Shark to Kirribilli Mark and back then to Rose Bay mark and back to a Kirribilli finish. The wind [...]

Team Juno (L-R) Max Brennen, Will Sargent, Reg Lord, Paige Caldecoat and Eddie Reid. Ten J/70s contested the Lowell North J/70 Twilight Regatta hosted by Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron December 4-7, 2023. Each evening consisted of 4 races starting from 5:30pm. The first night was a gentle ENE breeze up to 12 knots. Tuesday night tested all crews with the wind NNE 18-20 knots, gusting to 24 but [...]

Zac West and his team of Jameson Prescott, Emily Keg, James Hayhoe and Katina Casimaty have been officially crowned the winners of the 2023 Harken Youth Match Racing Championship. Racing took place last week from 4 - 8 December on stunning Pittwater, hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. 

The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron is thrilled to announce that the Sayonara Cup will be held from 15 – 19 January 2024 in the International Etchells Class.

Bruce Hodgkinson AM writes, 'We left the dock at Berrys Bay with a little trepidation.

RSYS member Amelia Wilson at 16 years of age, won a bronze medal in the Sailboard Individual Female event at Iumi Water Sport Park at the 2023 Pacific Games.

Sandringham Yacht Club is sending at least two youth crews (18 to 29 year olds) up to the events and are seeking Squadron families who may be able to billet these families potentially from January 11 to 22, 2024.

Special courses were held last Saturday for Divisions 1-3 to provide a variation to the usual racing. Division 1 & 3 sailed north of the bridge and Division 2 to the west around Cockatoo, Snapper and Spectacle Islands.

RSYS members Danielle Gerace, Rhian Hughes, Natasha Miller and Karyn Gojnich last weekend joined Newcastle Yacht Club’s She Sails Open Regatta. Eight teams contested the event raced in the club’s fleet of Elliott 6s. 

At the 2023 25+ Years Member Lunch, Commodore Christian Brook announced the members who obtained their 50-year membership, John (Freedie) Freedman unfortunately was not able to attend."

RSYS Member Matt Whitnall achieved great success in the 2023 NSW Windsurfer Class State Championships from 11-12 November, 2023, hosted by Toukley Sailing Club.  He writes "Over 50 sailors, including Olympians, current World Champions and former legends competed at this year’s NSW State Championships at the Toukley Sailing Club, on Tuggerah Lake.

On the 4-6 November, Albury Wodonga Yacht Club hosted the Sail Country Regatta 2023, incorporating the 2023-2024 Flying Dutchman Australian Championship. Matt Whitnall, reports "Some keen members may have noticed a very fast looking boat appear on the hardstand at the end of October, that was us taking advantage of the brand new ramp into the pond. 

The J/70s raced on the weekend out of Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, Victoria. There was a record number of boats for an Australian fleet that included Sandringham Yacht Club's four new J/70s and 20 young members in their first J/70 regatta.  

Steven London writes, 'The crew of Oisín "OSH-ee" love the wonderful punctuation mark that RSYS Friday twilights provide at the end of the week, often with a beautiful sunset by the end, and this was no exception.

Raphael McLachlan reports, "As a Youth Member of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron this year I have been lucky enough to qualify for and compete in the 2023 Optimist Asian and Oceania Championships in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Only six more weeks until Santa arrives! The festive season is just around the corner and our calendar is full of exciting activities for you and the family. 

In March 2024, the Stepping Stone House Regatta and Bridge Day will return. We invite you to join us at the Club to celebrate the continuing success of the Stepping Stone's 35th year of operation.

On October 7 this year, at 1 p.m., just off Sydney Harbour’s Sow and Pigs, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron Members Geoff Hill and Richard Hudson, along with 16 other crew, began the first bi-annual Sydney to Auckland race.

Three Australian boats competed last week in St Petersburg Florida for the 2023, J/70 World Championship.

Mark Johnson writes, 'I happily accepted an invitation to twilight on Ivan Wheen’s Gunga Din

Last Friday night, as part of the annual Australian Sailing Awards night, RSYS member Iain Murray was inducted into Australian Sailing’s Hall of Fame.

Join one of the Club’s longest running groups! Now in its seventh year the Book Club has enjoyed a wide variety of books recommended by the Committee and participating Members.

Last Friday’s Twilight was one of the best races we have had – a strong wind; very few tacks and great crew work!

The weather forecast for Saturday 28 October 2023 did not look great; 5-10 kts from the ESE to E and a left-over composite swell of around 2.4 metre from NE and S.