National Hansa Class TT Series at Waveney & Oulton Broad Yacht Club

Poppy Price-Dowhan and Alan Cone in the 303D fleet - Hansa TT Series at Waveney & Oulton Broad © Karen Langston

Having missed out in 2020 the Hansa Class returned to Oulton Broad in North Suffolk, its most easterly event in the UK Series, at Waveney & Oulton Broad Yacht Club, organised by Waveney Sailability. The forecast was for a steady South Westerly and it turned out to be great day for sailing with a good breeze (mostly) and sunshine.

The fleets were split into two starts with the Liberty and the 303 doubles starting together, whilst the 303 singles had their own start.

Tessa Watkiss in her Liberty sailed well in the shifty conditions on the broad. Having competing sailors in the 303 doubles with a lot of experience of local wind patterns meant that she had to sail well to complete the races ahead of them, which she achieved each time taking a well earned first place overall.

Tessa Watkiss, Liberty fleet, in the Hansa TT Series at Waveney & Oulton Broad - photo © Karen Langston

In the 303 Doubles were Poppy Price-Dowhan & Alan Cone competing against Sophia Adams & Geoff Ansell. Although Poppy & Alan took a clean sweep of the races they were challenged all the way by Sophia & Geoff. Poppy & Alan retained their overall title.

With the 303 singles comprising the largest fleet of twelve boats the races were competitive from start to finish throughout the fleet. Rory McKinna got off to a great start with a first in the first race with Waveney sailors Tony Barkes, Owen Boar and Vic Pennell taking the next three places. The second race got complicated on the water as the SW pressure wind and onshore Easterly competed to see who would come out on top.

Despite this Mike Everitt clearly got to grip with the conditions to take first spot ahead of Rory to wipe out the memory of his tenth in the first race. Owen took third ahead of Tony fourth and James Woosnam in fifth.

303s line up to start - Hansa TT Series at Waveney & Oulton Broad - photo © Karen Langston

Lunch came and the competing winds came to an agreement and it settled as a southerly which meant ODD David Gooch moving the start line and windward and leeward marks. Having enjoyed their lunches battle resumed on the water with some very tight racing great for the spectators on the bank.

Rory took another first in the third race just ahead of Mike, with Leslie Phillip finding some form with a third, James Woosnam fourth and Dennis Hantman fifth. Clearly the visitors were finding their feet and pushing hard.

This left it all to play for in the last race with Mike and Rory battling for the top spot, and Tony and Owen for third. With the closest racing so far at the top Mike's experience told and he took the first place that he needed to tie Rory on points and race results, thus taking the overall win on the last race result.

Hansa TT Series at Waveney & Oulton Broad - photo © Karen Langston

Tony's fifth ahead of Owen meant that he took third overall leaving Owen in fourth. Leslie and James matched their race 3 results giving them fifth and sixth overall.

Whilst we weren't able to lay on a helicopter this year, paddleboarders drifting across the race course did add to the entertainment as did the appearance of a Banksy mural in the grounds of the park.

The prizes were presented by Vince Meadows, the President of Waveney Sailability, and one of the founding directors from 2005 who helped to get it all started.

Mike Everitt and Rory McKinna battle in the 303S fleet - Hansa TT Series at Waveney & Oulton Broad - photo © Karen Langston

303 Singles Results:

303 Doubles Results:

Liberty Results:

303s line up to start - Hansa TT Series at Waveney & Oulton Broad - photo © Karen Langston