Hansa World and International Championships in Hiroshima, Japan - Day 1
by Tomoko Nishi 15 Oct 2018 10:09 PDT
14-18 October 2018
Hansa World and International Championships day 1 © Adamo Aono
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony of 2018 Hansa Class World & International Championships was held at Kannon Marina, Hiroshima Japan on 13th Octber. 191 sailors from Europe, North and South America, Oceania, South Pacific Island, Asia, and other countries all over the world are here participating at this major event. Also there are more than 400 support members, volunteers and staff. It is the first time a Hansa Worlds has been held in Japan or in Asia.
There were approximately 700 people including guests who participated in the opening ceremony. The ceremony started with the opening declaration of Nayuta Yamato, a member of the Hiroshima Sailability. Nayuta come to the stage on a wheelchair and said, "I have a severe disability and was suffering to live when I met Hansa. I cannot even sit on an ordinary chair, however Hansa gently wrapped me and took out me to the sea. There I found how wonderful the sea is. Hansa gave me a new life. I hope that many people receive gifts of life through the Hansa Worlds."
Day one
Under the refreshing autumn sky, the first race started. The sailors were unable to sail out at the scheduled time due to no wind, but around 11 o'clock, wind blow from the south east. Then the Hansa 2.3 Single, Hansa 303 Single, and Liberty Single classes went out to the race course. In the afternoon, the wind was stable at 7-8 knots from the south. The Hansa 303 Double class had two races because it is the largest class, with 52 teams participating.
The leader of the Hansa 303 Double class, Yuna Nakayama and Sarina Shibata scored 2-2 today. These 17 and 10 year old girls delivered their own Hansa by trailer with their family and a coach. They showed a cheerful smile and said, "We will do our best tomorrow."
David Durston (GBR), the leader of both Liberty Single and Liberty Single Servo, mentioned that the attraction of the Hansa class is that everyone can enjoy sailing, whether handicapped or non-handicapped, regardless of the grade of disability, age or sex. The Hansa Worlds is one of the most inclusive sailing events.
http://2018hansaworlds.com