North Harbour Sailing Club

2026 Winter Series — Congratulations and Thanks

Sailors,

Well done, and thank you to everyone who competed in the 2026 North Harbour Winter Series.

Our fleet continued to grow in strength this year. A total of 16 boats took part in the series, with an average of 11 starters per race and a largest fleet of 13 boats in Races 3, 5 and 6. No wonder there was standing room only back at the club!

The results were also remarkably close and varied:

The series was decided by just one point.
- Only four points separated first from fourth.
- Six races produced six different handicap winners—no boat won twice on handicap.
- Four boats started all six races: Gramarye, Hagar IV, Navita and Ruffiana. Well done!

There was, however, one clear series winner. Congratulations to Valhalla. Crewed by skipper Tony “Huon” Burgess and his band of blow-ins, “Val” was consistently fast, fast, fast—showing that, in the right hands, timber classics can still out-sail the modern “plastic fantastic” yachts.

Well done, Valhalla—2026 Winter Series Champion!

NHSC Sailing Committee

WINTER SERIES: Cracking sailing conditions on the harbour for our final winter series race of the season. A strong fleet of 13 starters set out in very light conditions initially, however the breeze progressively built to a 12 kn Noreaster by the afternoon. Congratulations ‘Rapscallion’ on placing first, seconds ahead of ‘Opal Leaf’. ‘Total Nuisance’ in third.

NHSC Winter Series 02AUG26 Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

WINTER SERIES: great racing on the harbour today for race three of our winter series. Well done to the 13 starters that came out to enjoy the light to moderate WSW conditions. Well done to our short course fleet with ‘Flakey Mojo’ coming in first followed by ‘Gramarye’ in second. In third place was ‘North Star’ giving 'Valhalla' a good battle. See you on the water next fortnight.

NHSC Winter Series 21JUN26 Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

WINTER SERIES: pleasant sailing on the harbour for our second winter series race of 2026. Light conditions again, although relative flat water and just enough pressure to keep the whole fleet moving around the course. Well done ‘Valhalla’ finishing first. Second was ‘Navita’ with fastest scratch time. Third was ‘Vudu Expresso’ with another strong performance. Tony was very pleased to receive his $50 voucher to the Manly 16ft Skiff Club - our series sponsor.

NHSC Winter Series 07JUN26 Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

**WINTER SERIES PRIZE: sponsored by Manly 16ft Skiffs**
Sailors, our Winter Series just got more exciting. The winner of each Winter Series race will recieve a $50 voucher for the Skiff Club restaurant and bar... and... our series winner will recieve a $200 voucher for same! Many thanks to our friends at the Manly 16ft Skiff Club for their generous sponsorship.

WINTER SERIES 24MAY26:
Our popular Winter Series has started with a very light and lumpy first race. The race area was sandwiched between easterly and westerly pressure systems, producing light and variable breezes. The lumpy sea swell added to the challenge in the sound well done to the eight starters and seven finishers. First was ‘Vudu Expresso’, a strong single-handed performance. ‘Navita’ second and ‘Ruffiana’ in third.

NHSC Winter Series 24MAY26 Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Winter Series starts this Sunday!

The popular NHSC Winter Series kicks off this Sunday, 24 May, with the first of six fortnightly races. Our winter courses are different to summer, so please check your Course Sheets before racing.

A quick note on handicaps: we are amending SI 15.9 so that start-time adjustments after each race are a little more progressive, particularly where there are larger fleets.

Our aim is to adjust the fleet a little faster, and to better recognise consistent starters who might otherwise sit in the middle of the pointscore.

New Winter Handicaps have been issued with the start sheet by email check your inbox.

See you on the water!

NHSC Sailing Committee

NHSC PRESENTATION DAY 17MAY26

Presentation Day is this Sunday at the Club.

Come and celebrate our 2025/2026 season winners!

*RSVP required for catering*

Doors Open: 12pm
Presentation: 1pm (no more than 1 hr)

Food continuously served and drinks available for purchase or BYO.

To pay on the day, RSVP by email to [email protected] now!. Or, make a Direct Deposit of $15 per person to the Club, which also serves as your RSVP.

NHSC Sailing Committee

**NHSC RAFFLE: SUPPORT OUR CLUB BUILDING WORKS**
Or club raffle is off to a roaring start - thanks to all who've bought tickets so far. Ticket books are available for pickup at the club, or buy online via the QR code. Prizes drawn at the AGM! For more info contact Graham or Mandy.

Prizes:
1st: $1,500 Burke Marine voucher
2nd: 2hr twilight sail Sydney Harbour for 4 people with charcuterie board & refreshments
3rd: Guided kayak tour of northern Sydney Harbour for 4 people
4th: Nestle Ice Cream maker
5th: Mixed dozen NHSC signature wines + 3 Commodore's Reserve prosecco

RUFFIANA: NHSC Summer Series Winner

Congratulations to Ruffiana on taking out the Summer Series!

A standout series for Mark, Neil and the crew—almost as standout as their new uniforms!

Not only did Ruffiana start each of the six races, but the boat has been going faster and faster, with spinnaker regularly flown. They managed to overcome the (unstoppable) MRX by two points to take out the Summer series! A thoroughly deserved win!

We look forward to seeing the crew on Presentation Day on the 17th of May to collect their spoils.

NHSC Sailing Committee