Hansa Travellers' Trophy Series at Baltic Wharf Sailing Club

Liberty and 2.3 winners at the 9th Hansa TT at Bristol Sailability © Ron Sawford

303s race in the 9th Hansa TT at Bristol Sailability © Ron Sawford

303s race in the 9th Hansa TT at Bristol Sailability © Ron Sawford

All Aboard Watersports and Baltic Wharf Sailing Club welcomed the Hansa TT Series to Bristol on a beautiful Saturday in late August. Sun alternated with clouds, and steady winds from the west were only occasionally interrupted by stronger gusts that kept the sailing interesting.

Bristol offers a unique sailing experience in the centre of the city and in the middle of a working harbour. As usual, the weekend water traffic added interest to the course; this year the Pride of Bristol joined the paddle boards, canoes, ferries and tourist boats that normally populate the race course.

All sailors and craft arrived early, allowing ample time for rigging, race briefing and launching in time for an 11 am start. With four separate classes (and three separate starts), and two races before lunch and a further two afterwards, the race kept the army of centre and club volunteers busy, with tasks divided between the race committee on the docks and the four safety craft on the water.

Competition was fierce and the race a pleasure for all to watch, particularly in the afternoon races, as the sailors became more familiar with both the course and the wind conditions in the harbour.

The results were very close, but victory was at last claimed by the following...

Hansa Liberty:

First - David Durston, Whitefriars Sailability
Second - Tom Harper, New Forrest Sailability

Hansa 2.3:

First - Lindsay Burns, Frensham Pond Sailability

Hansa 303 - One Person:

First - James Woosnam, Frensham Pond Sailability
Second - Tessa Watkiss, Frensham Pond Sailability
Third - Martin (Hurricane) Hadley, New Forrest Sailability

Hansa 303 – Two Person:

First - Ian Clemants and Tom Hole, Chew Valley Sailability
Second - Phillip & Nicole Hall, Chesil Sailability
Third - Peter and Peta Etherton, Frensham Pond Sailability

The Baltic Wharf Sailing Club were delighted to host the race again this year and are happy to see the increasing number of participants and their pleasure in sailing on the Bristol Harbour. It was lovely to welcome old friends back and to meet new sailors from different clubs, which included sailors from Chesil Sailability. We were also proud to hold the final race of the Hansa Western England Series, and to add the series award ceremony to that of the day's race, which included lovely new trophies designed by Tom Harper.

Thanks to all the people who gave their time to make this race day a great success and we look forward to hosting the event again next year.