Entries ramp up for Nautilus Marine Insurance SSORC

Billed as the ‘must’ do’ regatta to boost sailing skillsets ahead of the summer season of major yachting events, the 2022 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC) is gathering momentum following the opening of entries in late September.

Among the names added to the start list for Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s (MHYC) 45th running of the annual event to be held from 26-27 November, are Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club yachts: Gerry Hatton’s Bushranger, Ray Hudson’s XS Moment and Mark Tinworth and Mark Waterhouse’s Mercury.

Hatton’s M.A.T. 1245, Bushranger, finished third overall in Division 2 at the Australian Yachting Championships (AYC) in August. He attributes much of his success to “sailing with family. My son-in-law Michael (Fountain) skippers Bushranger and my son Andrew does the main,” he said. “We all work well together.”

The elder statesman remains ever competitive and derives much pleasure from sailing against and beating his MHYC rivals, who like to return the favour when they sail at home and at RPAYC events.

“Yes, we are competitive, but we’re friends ashore. Bob (Cox with Nine Dragons) just beat us last year, but we got him back at the Pittwater Regatta (in February). We know there are a lot of others who can win, but we are coming to the regatta to win too,” he said…