THE start of the sailing season last weekend signalled the beginning of a milestone year for local yachties as the Port Hacking Ocean Yacht Club celebrates 50 years.
Commodore Michael Rothwell, RAN, and RMYC Port Hacking Commodore Bob Lay took the salute from participants in the start-of-season parade of sail.
The racing proper starts Saturday with a re-enactment of the inaugural race that took place in 1964.
The 18-nautical-mile course starts at the entrance of Port Hacking, then continues around to Botany and back.
There will be four races throughout the day, with Cronulla Sailing Club joining in the celebrations.
Following the races, there will be a barbecue where guests will hear a history of the yacht club. Guest of honour is Fred Teiffel, who asked three friends to join him in a race in Bate Bay in 1963.
This led to the formation and inauguration of the yacht club in 1964.
The Port Hacking Ocean Yacht Club is the sailing division of the Port Hacking Motor Yacht Club.
