Birmingham Hansa TT at Midland Sailing Club
by Max Rumball 8 Sep 19:53 AEST
27 August 2025
Birmingham Hansa TT at Midland Sailing Club © Chris Hargreaves
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.
A dedicated team of organisers and volunteers had worked tirelessly to set the stage, launching boats and hoisting competitors. Even with low water levels an interesting course was set and a breeze waiting, sailors from all parts of the UK geared up for a day of friendly but fierce competition.
The first race got away in shifting conditions, allowing the sailors to showcase their tactical skills. The sun even made a welcome appearance, which in the colourful Hansa fleet, is always a joy. Racing was typically close in the 303 singles.
The second race was met with what can only be described as torrential rain. There were no complaints, just concentration and laughter as crews were soaked through, utterly undeterred by the downpour. It was a glorious testament to the "get on with it" attitude that defines this community.
Hannah Nicoll sailed very well in the last race and triumphed over the Hansa 2025 World Champion sailor, Rory McKinna to claim 1st place and putting in a fantastic performance to secure a strong 2nd place overall.
In the faster Liberty class, David Durstan claimed victory, helping his overall series results. In the popular 303 single class, Rory McKinna took the top spot on the podium with Hannah Nicoll and Sophie Brisley in 2nd and 3rd.. The 303 double class saw fantastic teamwork on display, and the husband-and-wife duo of Lynn and Stewart Swan proved an unstoppable force, taking all 3 wins. Rick and Sue Jillings claimed 2nd and new young sailor to the class, Miles de Barros teamed up with Steve Sawford to claim 3rd spot - well done! And in the smaller 2.3 class, Lindsey Burns emerged victorious with Andrew Lebec in a creditable 2nd.
While the winners deserved their applause, the real triumph was a shared one. The Hansa class is, at its heart, an open category designed to make sailing accessible and competitive for disabled sailors.
A huge thank you must go to the organising club, the race officers, and every volunteer who braved the elements.
The next event at Wolverstone has been cancelled due to low water levels, so roll on Frensham TT where the series concludes on October 8th 2025 with prize-giving and trophy awards.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|
| Liberty |
|---|
| 1 | David Durston | Whitefriars Sailing Club | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 303 1 Person |
|---|
| 1 | Rory McKinna | Clyde Cruising Club | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | Hannah Nicoll | Whitefriars Sailing Club | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 3 | Sophie Brisley | Whitefriars Sailing Club | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| 4 | James Woosnam | Frensham Pond Sailability | 4 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| 5 | Leslie Philip | Tideway London | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 6 | Max Rumball | Tideway London | 6 | 6 | 7 | 12 |
| 7 | Phil Monk | Whitefriars Sailing Club | 7 | 7 | 6 | 13 |
| 303 2 Person |
|---|
| 1 | Lynne Swan | Chesil Sailability | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | Rick Jillings | Carsington Sailing Club | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | Miles de Barros | Rutland Sailing Club/Sailability | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 4 | Terry Shiels | Carsington Sailing Club | 4 | 5 | 4 | 8 |
| 5 | Paula Roddy | Northampton Sailing Club | 5 | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| 6 | Gill Smith | Midland Sailing Club | 6 | 6 | (DNC) | 12 |
| 7 | Ian Moore | Midland Sailing Club | 7 | 7 | 6 | 13 |
| 8 | Gemma Tuffey | Midland Sailing Club | 8 | (DNF) | (DNC) | 17 |
| 2.3 |
|---|
| 1 | Lindsay Burns | Frensham Pond Sailability | 1 | 1 | (DNC) | 2 |
| 2 | Andrew Lebec | Frensham Pond Sailability | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| 3 | Khiaan‑Paul Schild | Midland Sailing Club | 2 | 2 | (DNC) | 4 |