GBR team at Hansa and Para World Championships 2025
by Hansa Class UK 18 May 2025 08:12 BST
23-30 March 2025
UK Team - 2025 Hansa and Para World Championships © Hansa Class UK
Hansa class UK have a world champion!
The 2025 Hansa Class World and International Championships took place at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) from March 23rd to 30th March 2025 on the beautiful Pittwater.
Invited Hansa Classes were the Hansa 2.3, 303 singles and doubles, Liberty and SKUD18.
RPAYC is located on the North Shore of Sydney, approximately 35 km from the Sydney CBD.
Seven British sailors, two coaches and their supporters made the long and arduous journey to Sydney, Australia for the six day regatta.
The team consisted of:
- Max Rumball and Leslie Philip - Tideway, London
- Paul Phillips and Tessa Watkiss - Frensham Sailability
- Rory Mckinna - Clyde Cruising Club, Scotland
- Logan Bell and Kirsten Pollock - Rutland Sailability
The British team competed in four fleets of racing: SKUD18, Liberty, 303 single and 303 doubles. The only fleet we did not have competitors was the 2.3.
The coaches that supported the team were Brett Cokayne from the RYA and Chris Hargreaves from Whitefriars Sailing Club and Hansa UK.
Sixteen nations competed at the Championships on Pittwater in NSW: Australia, Chile, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain and USA. Nearly 200 competitors in total.
Max Rumball, Logan Bell and Rory McKinna took part in the IDP World Sailing Training. Australian coach Grant Alderson led the training with World sailing Hannah Stodel working tirelessly to make things happen.
Mother nature decided to challenge the event. From no wind, to torrential rain and ending the week in gale force winds. This led to challenging racing, at times the wind did a 180 degree turn.
Racing was fierce with Rory Mckinna and his Australian sailing partner Jessica Wong leading the doubles after the second day of racing. They held onto the lead and finished high enough on the last day of racing to seal victory and become WORLD CHAMPIONS!
The Liberty and SKUD18 battled it out on a larger course due to their speed. Tough conditions and a reduced number of races, the winner went to Hong Kong Sailability. The recent European Champion Paul Philips battled hard in the Libertys and finished fourth. Tessa Watkiss had a great world championship and finished third in the Liberty full servo category.
The competitive Hansa 303 class had an impressive 75 entrants. The outstanding performance came from the young Gauthier Bril from France taking the win. Rory Mckinna eighth recording a top ten alone with his doubles victory. Logan Bell had some excellent records and was looking to move up in the standings until the last day was cancelled for strong winds.
The other British team sailors did their part, finishing second overall in the team standings.
The weather did not dampen the friendships made and opportunities offered to sailors.