Hansa National TT Series at Northampton Sailability

Libertys on the run - Hansa National TT Series at Northampton © Robert McIntyre

A fleet of 18 boats and 21 sailors from seven clubs converged on Pitsford reservoir in Northamptonshire for the eighth round of the TT series on Saturday, July 17th and managed to have a full four-race programme for the first time this season despite the flukey wind conditions.

"It might have been slow at times, but it was very exciting," grinned 303-solo class-winner Rory McKinna from Clyde Cruising.

Great organisation by the Northampton team meant that those pesky Covid restrictions didn't stop the day running well from start to finish. It must have been all those delicious cakes that organiser Mike Hulands insisted were polished off before anyone was allowed to leave the site!

There was close racing in all the classes with some sailors like Lindsay Burns in a 2.3 punching above her weight yet again and giving the bigger boats a run for their money at times as she sashayed through the shifts, even staying with Rory for a lap. Like third-place 303 solo finisher Dennis Hantman said: "You had to work the sheets a lot to find the wind."

Hansa National TT Series at Northampton - photo © Robert McIntyre

Some (mentioning no names - Chris Atkins in 'Trouble Maker') of the Liberty sailors were being very gentlemanly as David Durston took the time to point out to arch rival Paul Phillips that he was on the wrong course in the first race, which Paul went on to win!

"I got my own back with a strong first in the second, but he had just come over the top of me in the third when there was an early finish, then it was nip and tuck in the last race," said David.

Paul Phillips: "It was very close racing with lots of position changes which kept it interesting to the end. And it was nice to beat Dave for the first time this season!"

Lunchtime - Hansa National TT Series at Northampton - photo © Robert McIntyre

Chris Dabbs and Corinna Reynolds from Northampton took the top slot in the first 303 Double race, ahead of Phillip Hall and Tom Hepburn from Chesil. But the Chesil pair showed their class with three straight wins after that.

Phillip said: "The racing was close, with a few seconds making all the difference at the finish and it was all about being on the right part of the reservoir at the right time."

Meg Elliot and her dad Richard from Northampton took a bit of time to gel in an unfamiliar boat in the doubles, but they got into their stride in the afternoon with a strong second in the last race. That lunchtime nap for dad worked wonders!

Phil and Tom, 303 two-person class winners - Hansa National TT Series at Northampton - photo © Robert McIntyre

Rory had a clean sweep in the 303 solos, but Mike Everett made him work for it, especially in the last race as a flat calm descended on the fleet at the windward mark.

"I was in the lead, but the wind shifts meant I couldn't tack, so I had to gybe and Mike overtook me," said Rory. "But I was able to steal his wind on the way to the next mark and wedged myself inside and took him back there. It was great to have four races and see everybody again. It definitely makes that six-hour slog back up the A1 to home fly by. That and all the cakes that mum has picked up too."

Special mention for 303 Single sailor Logan Bell from Rutland. He was competing in his first ever race in a busy fleet, all at the age of 13. Respect, my friend.

Lindsay Burns continued on her winning ways with a clean sweep in the 2.3s ahead of Rutland sailor John Coombs and summed it up for everyone when she said: "It was a brilliant day; fantastic organisation which we all appreciated. The only thing missing at times was the wind!"

Many thanks due to all volunteers from Northampton Sailability for making the day a success.

Chris and Corinna in the 303 two-person class - Hansa National TT Series at Northampton - photo © Robert McIntyre

2.3 Fleet Results:

DH Fleet Results:

SH Fleet Results:

Liberty Fleet Results: