Please select your home edition
Edition
Vaikobi 2024 December
Product Feature
Sovereign 2.4mR Combi Trailer
Sovereign 2.4mR Combi Trailer

Hansa Class National TT Series at Oxford Sailing Club

by Richard Johnson 22 Jun 2019 10:02 BST 15 June 2019
Ben Foulsom and David Price were second 2.3 (1st Double) in the Hansa TT at Oxford © Richard Johnson

There were grey clouds at Oxford and enough wind to get your elbow very wet going upwind but everyone coped well, with lots of close racing, particularly in the Liberty fleet.

The Liberty starts were razor sharp, with everyone going fast and on the line at the gun. The windward mark was chaotic as the fleet tried to round in a bunch and the downwind legs of the trapezoid course were a desperate fight to keep jibs goose-winged and find clear wind. Nobody had a clear advantage and the close contest between front runners Val Millward (3068) and David Durston (3144) was only resolved when David had to retire after race 3 with servo motor failure. Paul Phillips (2557) showed flashes of brilliance to come third overall but the strong conditions took their toll, with plenty of gear failure in the rest of the fleet, mainly concerning the electrics.

The 303s had a race of two halves because the singles had a Match Race, as there were only two entries but the racing was closer than results suggest, as Mike Everitt was eagerly pursued by both Katie Apset and the leading two-person boat of Natalia and Alan Hillman. Brilliant sailing by the Hillmans also kept them ahead of the other Doubles but, further down the fleet, there were some close battles, generally won by experienced doubles racers the Etheringtons to finish fourth overall.

There were four 2.3s but one of the Frensham entries was dogged all day by technical problems, leaving the others to take a lesson in heavy weather sailing from winner Lindsey Burns, who made winning look easy, which it isn't in a small boat with only one sail that takes a lot of concentration to get the best out of it in 16-plus knots of wind. Oxford's Ben Foulsham came a good second in his first regatta, with enthusiastic helper David Price guiding the tactics and making some great starts.

The number of young sailors competing is a good sign for the future, with the tight racing in the Liberty fleet setting them a great example and providing plenty of top helms who will be happy to share (most of!) their secrets with the up-and-comers who are the winners of tomorrow.

Related Articles

Stewarton sailor scoops surprise World title
Scotland's Rory McKinna wins two-person Hansa 303 fleet down under Scottish sailor Rory McKinna, alongside Australia's Jess Wong, have secured Gold at the 2025 Hansa and Para World Championships in Newport, which concluded on the 30th of March. Posted on 3 Apr
First-ever para world champion from Hong Kong
Foo Yuen Wai has made history by winning in the Hansa Liberty class A grey drizzly day in New South Wales turned into a shining milestone for Sailability Hong Kong and the Sailing Federation of Hong Kong, China. When the day's races were abandoned, FOO Yuen Wai was confirmed as Hansa Liberty Open World Champion! Posted on 31 Mar
Hansa and Para World Championships overall
Final world champions announced at 2025 Hansa and Para Worlds One last bid for redemption in the Hansa 303 One Person class at 2025 Hansa and Para World Championships on Pittwater, with five realistically vying for the crown, but big conditions decided otherwise and Gauthier Bril (FRA) was named new World Champion. Posted on 30 Mar
Hansa and Para World Championships day 5
Four new world champions decided Grey, buckets of rain, cold, no breeze, swirling light air - the penultimate day of the 2025 Hansa and Para World Championships on Pittwater gave competitors everything except a steady breeze and sun. Posted on 29 Mar
Hansa and Para World Championships day 4
International showdown in the 303 One Person The Hansa 303 One-Person fleet was the only one out racing on Day 4 of the 2025 Hansa and Para World Championships at Pittwater, while the other classes enjoyed a lay day, although some chose to go out and practice in preparation for Saturday's races. Posted on 28 Mar
Hansa and Para World Championships day 3
Competition heating up on Pittwater Day 3 of the 2025 Hansa and Para World Championships on Pittwater arrived and all were keen to launch from Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) to start the day's sailing after avoiding the morning downpour. Posted on 27 Mar
Hansa and Para World Championships day 2
The Hansa 303 One Person competition started today Day 2 of the 2025 Hansa and Para World Championships on Pittwater and competitors and officials alike were hoping for a more stable breeze than what was dished up to them yesterday. Posted on 26 Mar
Hansa and Para World Championships day 1
'Crazy' conditions test fleets on Pittwater 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. Posted on 25 Mar
2025 Hansa and Para Worlds Practice Race
Governor of New South Wales officially opens the event on Pittwater Today marked the first day of the 2025 Hansa and Para Worlds, as 200 excited sailors and race officials from around the world gathered at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) on Pittwater for a practice race. Posted on 24 Mar
34 nations now actively involved in Para Sailing
World Sailing publishes six-month progress report on Para Inclusive Strategy World Sailing has published a progress report on the World Sailing Para Inclusive Strategy 2024-2029, six months on from its launch with current participation data showing that 34 nations are now actively involved in international Para Sailing. Posted on 20 Mar