Race Management

Originally a competitive sailor, I took up an interest in race management following the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Initially under the instruction of the late John Hurley, former Sailing Manager at MHYC who ran a course during the 2000 Games.  I’ve since had the chance to work with several other International Race Officials.

Starting off as a club race officer at Sydneys Middle Harbour Yacht Club, I’ve since run events at other clubs in Sydney including the 14′ Skiff Nationals at Sydney Flying Squadron at Kirribilli. After sailing in the first two Heaven Can Wait races on Lake Macquarie, I then ran the following two before handing over the role for the next two to Blake Middleton a race officer from the USA. This then enabled me to watch the race from yet another perspective, as the Race Officer at the Pin end of the Start line.

Running events ranging from the Optimist Dinghy State titles to the annual Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race gives me a unique look at the competitors and the sport of sailing. As the RO on the Southern start line for the Rolex Sydney Hobart, the numbers we look after are several times that of the front line providing for an intense few minutes ensuring all the competitors get away successfully. Additionally each year I’m involved in the Middle Harbour Short Offshore series and the Sydney Harbour Regatta, in each case as a course Race Official with experience in both offshore and inshore events.

In the last few years, I have been involved in running many regattas at my home club Middle Harbour Yacht Club, however I have also been involved in many others from Kite Boarding through schools team racing and dinghy and One Design championships to Ocean Racing.

The full list in on the race officer experience page on my blog.

Many competitors have informed me they enjoy my courses, due to my previous sailing experience.  I like to continually challenge their decision making be it at the start line or the bottom gate roundings.

Should you wish to contact me with regards to my qualifications or help in running your event, please call me on 02 9905 9400 or email phil@deckhardware.com.au