Waveney Sailability Hansa Traveller Trophy

Waveney Hansa TT - 303 one-person class © Richard Morling

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 on Tuesday was for rain all day and lightning over lunch. In the event there were a couple of light showers, but the forecast NE of 12-14 mph arrived which made for good sailing conditions with some tricky shifts at the top end of the course. The fleets were split into two starts with the Liberty and the 303 doubles starting together, whilst the 303 singles had their own start.

Unfortunately with two sailors not making it due to ill health and a car breakdown respectively, Paul Pearson and Ric Cassell engaged in a match race all day. Both got off the line well looking for the wind shifts that would give an advantage. Paul worked out the best route and got a lead which he worked hard to retain. With the course shortened to three laps after just over half an hour he won the first race with a lead of less than thirty seconds. Ric got a great start and led the second race for over a lap, but Paul worked his way through to take a second win. The pattern continued after lunch with some good close racing with Paul coming out on top to take first overall with Ric keeping him honest taking second.

Waveney Hansa TT - Close racing - photo © Richard Morling

The 303 Doubles had two local pairs competing with Sophia Adams and Alan Cone taking on Robert MacDonald crewed by John Seaman in the morning and Geoff Ansell in the afternoon. Sophia had an easy run in the first race when Robert started with the Singles, but after that with the starting sorted and sailing in his first open event, Robert got closer in every race. In the end Sophia sailed very well to take a clean sweep of the races and first place overall, but Robert can take a great deal of credit in his improvement and only being 14 seconds behind at the end of the last race.

With the 303 singles comprising the largest fleet of 9 boats the races were competitive from start to finish throughout the fleet. Rory McKinna, Mike Everitt, and James Woosnam hit the ground running closely followed by Tony Barkes who with a great second lap got himself up to second in lap 2. The experience of the visiting sailors soon told with Rory taking 1st, followed by Mike and James. Logan Bell improved by a place in every lap to take 4th ahead of Tony, who was closely followed by Leslie Phillip and Bob Waters, with just over a minute separating 4th to 7th.

Waveney Hansa TT - Water at the mark!! - photo © Richard Morling

James nailed the second start and held the lead for two laps, but Rory and Mike were hunting him down to fight for the win. This turned into a real match race which was great viewing, with Rory taking another win by only one second from Mike. James followed close behind with Leslie leading the charge for the line behind 14 seconds ahead of Owen Boar.

A break for lunch followed with little change in the weather apart from it feeling chilly compared to recently. James again got a great start and took an early lead, but Rory again sailed him down to take another win with James second. Mike suffered gear failure and had to return to the pontoon where a quick repair saw him re-join the racing, but not able to regain the time lost. Tony took his best result of the day in 3rd with Leslie 4th.

Waveney Hansa TT - At the windward mark - photo © Richard Morling

Whilst Rory had an unassailable lead both Mike and James were in contention for 2nd place with whoever finished ahead taking the position. Rory, Mike and James all lead the fleet away and after a close couple of laps the positions settled and they finished in that order. Leslie worked hard after a first lap fighting in the fleet in 7th to take 4th for a consistent series. Tony was 5th with Logan in 6th. Steve Simms worked hard all day and with a reef in for the last race had his best race of the day.

Waveney TT - Hansa 303 one-person class winner - Rory McKinna - photo © Richard Morling

Waveney Sailability would like to thank the Hansa Class for their support, the visiting sailors, and all the volunteers who made it possible to take place.

Overall Results: