Hansa Travellers' Trophy Series at Notts County Sailing Club

Hansa TT at Notts County © Pete Saunders

Hansa TT at Notts County © Pete Saunders

Hansa TT at Notts County © Pete Saunders

The sun shone, winds hovered between 4 and 6 mph and sun tan cream was essential for the Hansa Travellers' annual visit to Notts County Sailing Club.

Nineteen boats assembled to race. The Liberty boats were first away and Joe Taylor established a lead which he held for the whole race. Second place was heavily contested between Ric Cassell and Simon Harle with Simon Harle finally gaining the advantage and finishing second. Ten 303s were competing 5 with crews and 5 being sailed by one person. Six 203s had close racing throughout.

The first boat finished at 12.20 and led the race to the galley, where, as always, lunch was enjoyed by all. The bar was open, but appeared to be patronised better by the spectators than those on the water, which suggests that there are some benefits for those who only stand and wait.

Conditions remained the same when racing resumed after lunch although one of the 303s shanghaied a spectator and thus moved from the one person to the two person fleet. Racing again was close. Joe Taylor kept his lead in the Liberty Boats, but Ric Cassell managed to pull away from Simon Harle and beat him in both races to earn himself the second place.

In the 303 two person fleet Michael Slater and Tim Cripps (making a come-back after a couple of years off) held on to first place in both races and Hugh Lansdowne and Leslie Philip moved up the ranks to second.

Two seconds gave Monique Foster first place in the 303 single person class and a win in the final race put Tessa Watkins in second place above Katherine Hedley.

Lindsay Burns (last year's European champion) was the first to congratulate Pat Crowley on his success in the last race which gave him an overall victory in the 2.3s.

Racing finished in time to pack up the boats, chat and, for those that weren't driving, the open bar.

The club's president Russ Towns handed out the glassware. Thanks were given to all involved, and it was agreed that it was good to see such a good turnout which included old hands, newcomers to the series and three home club representatives. Pauline from the galley got a standing ovation for her contribution to the day.

Overall Results: