Please select your home edition
Edition
Navico NZ Zeus3S LEADERBOARD

Hansa and Para World Championships 2025 at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club - Day 1

by Di Pearson / Hansa Worlds 25 Mar 22:15 NZDT 23-30 March 2025

Racing got under way in the 2025 Hansa and Para World Championships today on Pittwater, with the Hansa 2.3, Liberty and SKUD18 racing on Alpha course, while the 303 Two Person raced on Bravo course and already some have shown their clear intentions.

The weather played havoc, it was all over the shop, with massive wind shifts, making life difficult in the extreme for Principal Race Officer, Megan Kensington and her race officers, not to mention for the competitors.

Both SKUD18 races were won by Daniel Fitzgibbon (AUS) and his longtime sailing mate, Chris Somers. Fitzgibbon has two gold and silver Paralympic medals in the class, but had not sailed the boat for years until recently, when he and Somers prepared for this event.

Neil Rowsthorn and Jack Wallace are in second place having picked up a pair of second places, while Naomi Ohue and Joe Thompson are third, scoring two third places. The top three teams all hail from Queensland.

"We got some massive gusts over the hill - 25 knots," said an incredulous Fitzgibbon. "It was very variable, one of the craziest SKUD racing days I've ever had.

"There was an easterly coming over the land and building - and holes in other parts. It went from zero knots to 25 in the gusts. It started out south-east, then north east and east and swung back twice. And it rained!

"We were smoking and almost had a broach. It was a crazy day!"

Fitzgibbon confessed, "In my rustiness, we missed the first start and took the stern of the whole fleet. But we fought our way back after hooking into a shift and held on to finish first.

"The second race was a bit more under control with a better start. It's hard getting back into racing, trying to remember all the little details, tricks, trimming constant and changing gears.

"It's a very competitive fleet and I'm happy with that. There are some young hot shot sailors in this class. I'm enjoying the able bodied and disabled sailors together in the boats and in the fleet. And they still can't beat Dan - brilliant," he said, laughing.

The Hansa 2.3 was an all Japanese affair at the top of the scoreboard across the two races. Yui Fujimoto leads, Daisuke Zenju is in second and Koji Harada third. There is little in it and it is tight behind the top three as well.

In fifth place is Doug Monk, who is the early leader of both the NSW and Australian Hansa 2.3 Championships, but there are still five days of racing remaining.

On the Bravo course, where the Hansa 303 Two Person class sailed, the breeze made its way around the compass a few times. The 303s were scheduled for more racing, but the conditions made that impossible.

The French pair of Gauthier Bril and Camille Massonnaud gathered themselves, not letting the conditions get the better of them, to win the opening race and claim that lead from two Australian pairs. Sarah Plunkett and John Sanderson are in second place, while Chris Symonds and Maunela Klinger are third.

Two races were put away in the Liberty. Hong Kong's Yuen Wai Foo's win and second place were enough to give him the lead on countback to Charles Weatherly (AUS) who scored a pair of wins. Paul Phillips (GBR) is in third place after scoring 3-4 results. There are many waiting in the wings, so there is no room for complacency.

The Championships continue tomorrow for the Hansa 2.3, Liberty, SKUD18 and Hansa 303 One Person classes. The Hansa 303 Two-Person teams will be back in the action on Thursday, as some sailing in this class are also sailing in the One Person class so they will rotate their days on the water.

Light winds are expected on the course area tomorrow, an east to north-easterly of under 10 knots has been forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology.

A total of nine races are scheduled for each class and racing will take place every day until the final races on Sunday 30th March. The Closing Ceremony and Presentation will follow the last race.

The Worlds take in the Hansa World and International Championships, Australian and NSW Hansa Class Championships plus the Para World Championships.

Seventeen nations are competing at the Championships hosted by at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) on Pittwater in NSW: Australia, Chile, Brazil, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain and USA.

Event website: hansaworlds.org

Related Articles

Barcolana57 presented by Generali day 8
Over 1,600 entries for the Autumn Cup, Rive Village and Borgo Cavana opened With the opening of Barcolana Village along the Rive and the new Village in Borgo Cavana, Barcolana57 presented by Generali enters its full swing: the great sailing festival illuminates Trieste with hundreds of events, exhibitions, meetings and shows. Posted on 8 Oct
Barcolana57 presented by Generali day 7
Promoting the social inclusion of people with disabilities As per tradition, Barcolana Tuesday was dedicated to sailing for solidarity and social initiatives, featuring the regattas of Barcolana per il Sociale, the historic event organised by Triestina della Vela and the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano. Posted on 7 Oct
Barcolana57 presented by Generali - Day 5
Today's heavy rainfall forced the cancellation of activities at sea Today's heavy rainfall forced the cancellation of activities at sea, not only Barcolana Young but also the eagerly awaited Barcolana Nuota powered by Honda - Luca Giustolisi Trophy. Posted on 5 Oct
Barcolana57 presented by Generali - Day 4
No races were held today for the Para Sailing event After the Bora, and while waiting for the strong wind expected tomorrow - which will take centre stage in Trieste - the first Saturday of Barcolana was marked by calm weather. Posted on 5 Oct
Barcolana57 presented by Generali - Day 3
With the traditional flag-raising ceremony With the traditional flag-raising ceremony, the 57th edition of the Barcolana officially opened today at noon: a widespread calendar of events to be enjoyed not only in Trieste, but across the whole region. Posted on 3 Oct
Barcolana57 presented by Generali - Day 2
The Bora wind made the day particularly challenging for the "super sailors" The Para Sailing European Championship officially opened today the 57th edition of the Barcolana Presented by Generali. On the water, 23 crews from four European countries began racing, with three races held during the day. Posted on 2 Oct
Richard Smallwood trophy at Frensham
2.4mRs, Hansas and a Stratos battle it out The Richard Smallwood Trophy is a two-day event set up in tribute to Richard Smallwood who was one of the leading lights in the creation and subsequent growth of disabled sailing at Frensham Pond in Surrey. Posted on 20 Sep
Birmingham Hansa TT at Midland Sailing Club
A Soaking Success Forget the forecast; the true weather at the 2025 Birmingham Hansa TT was one of unbreakable spirit and fantastic sailing in what were testing conditions. Posted on 8 Sep
Jetty to Freedom
Help Frensham Pond Sailability repair their jetty for disabled sailing at the club Frensham Pond Sailing Club provide sailing facilities for a very diverse community. They aim to be inclusive to all. Along with our Charity, Frensham Pond Sailability, there is a very successful disabled sailing group. Posted on 3 Sep
Hansa TT at Rutland
Thrilling series showdown as venue has to be changed from Bolton Rutland Sailability delivered an exceptional seventh round of the 2025 Hansa TT series, stepping in as last-minute hosts after Bolton's cancellation due to drought conditions. The event saw 25 boats from across the UK and Ireland. Posted on 19 Aug
V-DRY-XZhik 2024 DecemberArmstrong 728x90 - HA Foil Range - BOTTOM