Hansa National TT Series at Northampton Sailability

Instead of 2018's drifting competition the fourteen entrants for the Hansa TT at Northampton Sailability on 11th September enjoyed force 4-5 with the odd force 6 gust to keep them on their toes and bailing hard!

Thanks are due to all the Northampton Sailability Volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the day a success, getting the boats on and off the water and setting the course.

Race 1 and 2 in the morning were very competitive thanks to the wind shifts over the dam, and gusts that veered towards the pump house, meaning the right side of the course paid dividends. The conditions meant there were plenty of position changes as sailors caught the pressure, or overhauled their rivals on the downwind legs.

Pretty much every boat was reefed in the morning, but the Libertys were able to go to full sail in the afternoon as the winds eased for Race 3 and 4.

In the Hansa 2.3 class Lindsay Burns in '2535' from Frensham Sailability was in a class of one, but showed her skills by keeping up with many of the 303s. "The warm and friendly welcome, great sailing and great tea and cake made it all worthwhile," she smiled.

In the Hansa 303 two-person class, Roy Child and Priscilla Davies from Northampton used their local knowledge in 330 to get two firsts and two seconds, and because they won the last race from Sam Ravenscroft and Rob Hobson, also from Northampton, they took the class win. Steve Kitson from the New Forest brought along Angela Inwards, who only signed up as a Volunteer in April, as his crew and she had a great time: "I loved the thrilling weather and racing and was glad I could borrow some waterproofs!" she said.

In the Hansa 303 one-person class. James Woosnam from Frensham got a perfect start in the first race and never looked back, taking three back-to-back wins, which meant he could discard the fourth race and return to the Clubhouse as his MS and the conditions had been sapping his strength. "It was challenging and beautiful with some crazy windshifts and I think I benefited from gear failure in my competitor's boats." He said magnanimously. Northampton's Chris Dabbs was James' wingman with four second places, while Roger Bastow from Northampton got his orange fixed-seat single-hander 303 flying in the last race for a first, and third overall.

Seven boats entered the racing in the Liberty class and Rutland's Val Millward was in fine form with two wins and two seconds, edging out Paul Phillips from Frensham Pond with some assertive sailing on the final leg in Race 3. Chris Emmet from Rutland took third in the event, which was also a final shakedown for many sailors before they load up their boats for the 1500-mile trek to Portimao for the European Championships.

Hansa National TT Series at Northampton - photo © Robert McIntyre

Hansa 2.3 class:
1st Lindsay Burns - Frensham

Hansa 303 two person class:

1st Roy Child and Prescilla Davies - Northampton
2nd Sam Ravenscroft and Rob Hobson - Northampton
3rd Steve Kitson and Jane Knight - New Forest

Hansa 303 one person class:

1st James Woosnam - Frensham
2nd Chris Dabbs - Northampton
3rd Roger Bastow - Northampton

Hansa Liberty class:

1st Val Millward - Rutland
2nd Paul Philips - Frensham
3rd Chris Emmet - Rutland
4th David Durston - Whitefriars
5th Paul Pearson - Rutland
6th Simon Harle - Rutland
7th Tessa Watkiss - Frensham

Hansa National TT Series at Northampton - photo © Robert McIntyre