2022 Hansa TT at Whitefriars Sailing Club
by David Durston 26 Apr 2022 06:54 BST
23 April 2022
Hansa 303 1 Person start during the 2022 Hansa TT at Whitefriars © Nicky Durston
In blustery, shifty conditions, sailors from across the country, including 2 from Scotland congregated at Whitefriars SC for the second Hansa Class Traveller Trophy event. To avoid too much time in close proximity indoors, the 3 back to back race format was used, avoiding the need to break for lunch.
Racing started promptly at 11am with the Liberty class. Two of the sailors, Ric Cassell and Paul Pearson from Rutland SC, took advantage of a port flyer and went up the shoreline whilst the rest of the fleet pursued pressure on the left of the course. An awkward hole in the middle of the course proved fickle throughout the day, and on this first beat, the two trail blazers made significant gains which proved insurmountable over the course of the race. Paul Pearson finished first, with Ric Cassell taking second having been in the lead for most of the race.
The second race saw a 3 way tussle between David Durston, Paul Phillips, and Paul Pearson. An unfortunate gust at the final leeward mark proved costly for Phillips, causing him to miss the mark, opening the door for Durston and Pearson, who finished first and second. With one discard allowed, it was down to the final race to separate Durston, Pearson, and Cassell. There was a breakaway from the pack for Phillips, Pearson, and Durston. Another uncustomary error by Phillips at the end of the first lap, left the battle for 1st and 2nd to Durston and Pearson, with a race to the finish separated by two boat lengths; Durston finishing on top, Pearson second, Cassell third.
The next fleet to go were the 303 singles. Rory McKinna has been riding high since his podium place at the Hansa world championships, which were held in Palermo, Sicily. At this event he had some challenges, one from his old rival Mike Everitt, the other from Chi-Chian Wu from Taiwan, who is studying in Scotland and travelled to the event with Rory. There were two new entrants from the home club in this fleet, Dave Nicholls and Elliott Wootley, who were racing on the circuit for the first time. Chi-Chian took the initiative in the first race making good decisions throughout, leaving the fleet for dust. Mike Everitt split the course at the end, taking the left side at the last mark rounding; it paid off, pushing McKinna into a disappointing third place, after holding second throughout. McKinna composed himself for the second race, and lead throughout, with Wu and Everitt taking 2nd and 3rd. The final showdown proved more of a tussle, with Wu taking the initiative on the first lap, ahead of both McKinna and Everitt. McKinna showed his quality and determination to take the lead in the second lap. After good close racing that's how it finished.
The 303 two person and 2.3 classes combined due to a disappointing entry; 3 boats in the 2-person fleet, and only one in the 2.3 class. Lindsay Burns walked off with an uncontested first place. The 303 fleet saw an interesting battle between an established partnership, Phil Hall and Tom Hepburn, against a newly formed pair from the host club, Charlotte Jones and Ruth MacArthur, for whom this was their first regatta.
In the first race Hall/Hepburn took the initiative early on, but Jones/MacArthur persevered and used local knowledge to take the lead and their first victory. In the second race Hall/Hepburn regained their composure and dominated from start to finish, setting up an interesting winner takes all third race. Again Hall/Hepburn led at the end of the first lap, but the ladies dug deep and managed to regain dominance by the end of the race, sealing victory. A great result for their debut.
The race team and safety team had a few incidents to deal with in testing conditions, but they were ably managed, and a great event was enjoyed by all. The club's fantastic volunteers made the day go swiftly without hitch. Special thanks must go to Jim Ryan, who was thrown in at the deep end with the catering, after his wife unfortunately fell ill. He managed capably, and everybody was well fed. Many thanks to all involved, and Whitefriars SC for hosting.
Overall Results:
Hansa 2.3
1st Lindsay Burns - Frensham
Hansa 303 1 Person
1st Rory McKinna - Clyde Cruising Club
2nd Chi Chian Wu - Chinese Taipei Sailing Association
3rd Mike Everitt - Frensham
4th Leslie Philip - Tideway
5th Dave Nichols - Whitefriars
6th James Woosnam - Frensham
7th Elliott Wootley - Whitefriars
Hansa 303 2 Person
1st Charlotte Jones and Ruth McArthur - Whitefriars
2nd Phill Hall and Tom Hepburn - Chesil
3rd Steve Kitson & Jane Knight - New Forest
Hansa Liberty
1st David Durston - Whitefriars
2nd Paul Pearson - Rutland
3rd Ric Cassell - Rutland
4th Chris Atkin - Hanningfield
5th Paul Phillips - Frensham
6th Tessa Watkis - Frensham
7th Michael Durston - Whitefriars