Hansa UK Traveller Trophy Series event at Bolton Sailing Club

Bolton Sailing Club © Bolton Sailing Club

Visiting Hansa Travellers started to arrive at Bolton Sailing Club, Belmont, on the evening of the 23rd June 2026. Warren Price, the Sailability lead for BSC, was on-site to welcome them on a warm and ominously calm night.

The first ever Hansa TT at Bolton Sailing Club took place on 24th June, a long anticipated event after last year's cancellation due to low water levels. During the morning more contestants arrived and the car park was filled with the happy buzz of rigging their boats and preparing for the challenges ahead. Piercing blue skies, soaring temperatures and only light winds, the sailors (and the support crews) had plenty to contend with.

After a formal welcome and the race briefing the Jetty was filled with busy sailors and volunteers, loading crews into boats rigging checks, the racers departed for the start point. Fifteen boats competed in three classes: two Liberties, eight 303 Singles and five 303 Doubles.

In such light winds the beat to the first mark was quite a challenge and the race officer decided to call for reduced laps and had the course shortened for the second race.

After race two they headed to shore for a much welcomed lunch, the clubhouse was filled with orders for food, drink and the happy banter of the racers. Then back on the water for the two afternoon races. Thankfully the breeze had stiffened and the last two races were hotly contended only two of the 303's retired due to the heat and scorching sun. Race four saw a further loss of two 303s this time both for rigging issues.

The races were tightly contested with very close finishes.

In the Liberty class, each sailor claimed a victory before lunch to leave everything to play for during the remaining two races. Paul Phillips from Frensham Pond took both afternoons' races to seal victory.

The 303 singles, the largest fleet on the water, was very competitive with three different race winners. It was Phil Monk and Richard Rochester sailors from Whitefriars who were battling it out for top spot in the final race, with Phil Monk being victorious.

In the 303 doubles, Lynne and Stuart Swan of Frensham Pond led from start to finish winning all four races. It was much tighter behind with Bolton's Hannah/ Andy and Rick/Sue from Carsington only separated by 1 point on the final table. It was by beating Rick and Sue in the final race that the local team of Hannah/ Andy managed to get second place.

After a challenging day on the water the boats were stowed and loaded on the trailers ready for some long journeys home. Prizes were received by the victors to much acclaim and after thanks and farewell speeches the day was over with all agreeing it had been a good day. A couple of the teams had decided to take advantage of the location and stayed at the club overnight before facing their long drives to the south and some to Scotland.

Liberty Results:

303 Single Results:

303 Double Results: