Please select your home edition
Edition
PredictWind - GO! exec 728x90 TOP

Hansa Class UK National Championships 2024 at Whitefriars Sailing Club

by David Durston 5 Jun 23:41 PDT 31 May - 2 June 2024

The Hansa National Championships were held at Whitefriars Sailing Club in the beautiful Cotswolds Water Park over three days from the 31st of May to the 2nd of June.

Attendance was good, with 32 boats taking part across the 4 fleets. We welcomed three international sailors, who traveled from The Netherlands and Ireland to compete; adding to the already highly competitive Liberty entry. There were 9 Liberty’s altogether, 12 Hansa 303 one-person entries, 7 303 2-person boats, and 4 Hansa 2.3’s in the event.

The weather threw up its usual challenges for the highly experienced and competent race team. This year the north/north easterly wind meant that it was very difficult to set a long beat on the lake. A short trapezoid course meant that there were lots of pinch points at mark rounding’s with all fleets meeting often. The windward mark threw up challenges because the tree line caused shifty conditions and a large range of wind strengths. Areas of pressure and holes led to many changes in positions across the fleets throughout the races.

In all of the fleets there were a few stand out performances who clearly read the conditions well to outperform the opposition. In the Liberty fleet Mike Everitt and Vera Vorbach dominated, with 7 1st places between them. Mike converted to the Liberty from a 303 for the event, and challenged Vera who is the current Hansa European champion and a former World champion. Going into the final day they were separated by just one point, but Mike came out on top to take the title of Hansa National Champion 2024.

In the Hansa 303 1-person fleet Rory McKinna, the 2023 National Champion was driven hard by Jazz Turner who sails with her assistance dog, Phoebe. Rory and Jazz shared the top 2 places across the board. Also down to the last day, Rory just nudged it, finishing on 9 points compared with Jazz’s 11, thereby retaining the trophy.

The 2-person fleet was more of a three horse race between Lynne Swan with her husband Stuart, father and son team Harry and Nick Holland, and Rick and Sue Jillings. With 5 1st places Lynne and Stuart took the title, the Holland’s 2nd, and the Jillings 3rd.

Lindsay Burns retained her title in the 2.3 class, with Lara Sturgis 2nd, and Phil Monk, who is a newcomer to Hansa events from the home club, coming 3rd. Phil was new to sailing at the end of last season.

Each year a sailor is awarded the Endeavour award which recognises extraordinary effort. This year it was won by Sophie Brisley. At 13, and had never attended a Hansa event, let alone a Nationals before, Sophie was nervous about taking part, coming last, and getting in the way of others. In fact she finished 10th overall and had a 6th and 7th place along the way, no mean feat in such an experienced fleet.

Alongside the racing there is always a lovely social scene between sailors and volunteers from the Hansa community and the host club. This year we enjoyed a quiz and a BBQ on the Friday, a curry night on Saturday, and finished the event with freshly made cream tea on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Many thanks to WSC members, Simon who catered the weekend, and Jo and Pauline for the delightful cream teas. The perfect end to a fantastic event.

For more photos please visit the class website, www.hansaclass.org.uk

For more information about the Hansa Class follow us on Facebook or Instagram @HansaClassUK.

Overall Results:

PosHelm (& Crew)ClubR1R2R3R4R5R6R7R8Pts
Liberty class
1Mike EverittFrensham Pond Sailability1141152111
2Vera VoorbachWV Zeewolde3512213315
3Paul PhillipsFrensham Pond Sailability2435521421
4Paul PearsonRutland Sailing Club/Sailability6323344524
5David DurstonWhitefriars Sailing Club4256636228
6Hanneke DeenenWV Zeewolde56(RET)4765639
7Tessa WatkissFrensham Pond Sailability8777478848
8Mary DuffyBray Sailing Club Ireland9888887754
9Chris EmmetRutland Sailing Club/Sailability7(RET)6(DNC)(RET)(DNC)(DNC)(DNC)63
303 1 Person class
1Rory McKinnaClyde Cruising Club111221219
2Jazz TurnerNewhaven and Seaford Sailing Club2221121211
3Margaret ForemanFrensham Pond Sailability3446375328
4Bex FoulshamOxford Sailability5533454428
5James WoosnamFrensham Pond Sailability43751036533
6George PaxfordWhitefriars Sailing Club765105411643
7Debra PenningtonNotts County Sailing Club67941199852
8Adam BillanyDerwent Reservoir(RET)(RET)117683755
9Kim DaviesFrensham Pond Sailability896118107957
10Sophie BrisleyWhitefriars Sailing Club9111087681058
11Rebecca WillcoxWhitefriars Sailing Club1088121211121172
12Logan BellRutland Sailing Club/Sailability1110129912101273
303 2 Person class
1Lynne and Stuart SwanChesil Sailability121113129
2Harry and Nick HollandFrensham Pond Sailability2322242114
3Rick and Sue JillingsCarsington Sailing Club4134313318
4Paula Roddy and PaulNorthampton Sailing Club3543454427
5Tom Hepburn and Denise BryantChesil Sailability5455525531
6Antony Williams and GrahamWhitefriars Sailing Club6666666642
2.3 class
1Lindsay BurnsFrensham Pond Sailability1111111(DNC)7
2Lara SturgisFrensham Pond Sailability4322234117
3Phil MonkWhitefriars3433422219
4Andrew LebecFrensham Pond Sailability2244343321

Related Articles

Hansa European Championships at Sneek
Netherlands event sees a new champion from the UK The Hansa European Championships 2024 took place on 14-21 September at the Royal Yacht Club in Sneek, the Netherlands. Posted on 26 Sep
Hansa TT round 8 at Midland SC
It was the kind of day that makes you fall in love with sailing all over again Midland Sailing Club hosted Round 8 of The Hansa TT Series on August 28th. This is the third year that the event has been held at the Club and there are participants from all over the country that attend. Posted on 25 Sep
Bart's Bash 2024 at Hebe Haven Yacht Club
Helping to help fundraise to support Sailability Hong Kong Limited Hebe Haven Yacht Club (HHYC) was once again glad to have presented the 11th year of Bart's Bash this year to help fundraise to support Sailability Hong Kong Limited, the only organisation in Hong Kong providing and making sailing accessible to EVERYONE. Posted on 16 Sep
Entries open for the Hansa Worlds 2025
Royal Prince Alfred YC to host in New South Wales, Australia The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club together with International Hansa Class Association is excited to announce the opening of entries for the 2025 Hansa World and International Championships, for both competitors and coaches. Posted on 13 Sep
UK Hansa TT at the Woolverstone Project
Exciting to be a venue for the class once again The Woolverstone Project were delighted to welcome the Hansa Class Association to Alton Water for a TT event on August 14th. The last time the Project hosted the Hansa Class was over a decade ago, so it was exciting to be a venue for the class once again. Posted on 27 Aug
UK Hansa TT at Northampton
24 boats, 29 sailors plus one sea dog The Hansa TT Traveller Series returned to Pitsford Reservoir in Northamptonshire, with 4 classes totalling 24 boats and 29 sailors plus one sea dog! Posted on 26 Aug
25th SMU-RM Western Circuit Sailing Regatta
TWCSR successfully concludes its 25th edition The 25th edition of the Western Circuit Sailing Regatta (WCSR) concluded with outstanding success, underscoring the event's remarkable legacy. Posted on 20 Aug
UK Hansa TT at Carsington
A strong entry with 22 boats on the water The sixth event in the UK Hansa TT (Travelling Trophy) series was held at Carsington Sailing Club, Derbyshire on the 10th July. There was strong entry, 22 boats on the water with 30 sailors and a total of over 70 people attending. Posted on 31 Jul
Hansa Worlds 2025 Notice of Race published
Taking place at the prestigious Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club The Hansa World & International Championships 2025 is set to sail into action in March, at the prestigious Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. Posted on 29 Jul
Italian sailing federation on a Paralympic mission
Para Sailing Academy is a key cog in their ambitions to enhance accessibility The Italian Sailing Federation (FIV) have a clear mission when it comes to making sailing a sport for all and the Para Sailing Academy is a key cog in their ambitions to enhance accessibility in Italy and beyond. Posted on 20 Jul
Rooster SB1 Inshore RangeAllen Dynamic 40 FooterSelden 2020 - FOOTER