Hansa UK National Championships at Carsington Sailability

303s on a gusty beat - Hansa UK National Championships at Carsington © Rosie Thomas

This three day event attracted high quality sailors from five countries, Australia, Netherlands, Oman, Ireland and with a majority from the UK. Twenty eight boats in all took part, intent on lifting the trophies. The GB team sailed well to achieve worthy results, holding off stiff competition to do so. International sailors also secured good to excellent results in the classes they entered. Mary Duffy, Ireland, was outstanding in her determination to race, and her indomitable sprit.

Weather and wind varied to extremes being exceptionally hot with a strong gusty south westerly on day one. Day two had wind veering to the west and northwest, very cool with drizzly rain. Day three was a happy day with winds at F3 to 4 from the northeast. This was accompanied by patches of sun and cloud, a variable breeze with refreshing odd gusts to keep one alert and lulls to sit in for the unfortunate all giving the most enjoyable sailing of the regatta. However, the hole in the wind that moved around with terrain and wind change, did slow unweary sailors down.

We had a significant, and disruptive, problem when one of our two hoists was unavailable, leaving only one for eleven plus sailors, slowing down sailors reaching the course. After a frustrating first day, in discussion with sailors, carers and volunteers the solution was found. We used a process that delivered sailors to the hoist exactly in time to sail away to the start line from the central pontoon in rapid sequence. All other sailors reached the line from the smaller North pontoon by the same effective process.

I have given this process space in the report, as the carers' volunteers' and sailors' solving of the problem, demonstrates the inclusive values and co-operative determination to succeed that we all share within Sailability.

Close racing at the mark - Hansa UK National Championships at Carsington - photo © Rosie Thomas

Our highly experienced race officers ably adjusted the race schedule so as to achieve the full number of races using only one hoist sequence each day. Also, their use of Sailwave made results available to sailors quickly and accurately. We thank them heartily for going above and beyond to adjust to our needs.

Lindsay Burns took First Place in the 2.3 class followed closely by Adam Lebec and Lara Sturgis, to take second and third places.

The First place in the Liberty class was fiercely contested between Vera Voorbach (Netherlands) and David Durston (UK), only being resolved in the last race of the regatta in David's favour whilst Ric Cassell took a worthy third place, and the other sailors closely contested the remaining places.

In the 303 one-person category Rory McKinna came in First after close combat with Chichian Wu, a visiting student from Taiwan, who was sailing for his UK club. The ever-smiling, and most helpful, Mike Everitt came in a well-deserved third.

Andy Guy, fourth, received the Endeavour Trophy for his determination to reach the finish line after his steerage linkage to the joystick failed. He sailed most of a second day race with his hands behind him operating the lines to the rudder. He made it!

A Liberty catching the gusts - Hansa UK National Championships at Carsington - photo © Rosie Thomas

As with the Libertys the remaining sailors were in close contact, changing places and enjoying competitive and stimulating racing.

The 303 two-person fleet had Chris Symonds (Australia) to contend with as he changed from the one-person fleet because of health reasons to have support from his crew Ela Klinger. This excellent potential Para-Olympian sailor with a passion for getting sailing back into the Paralympics, was gone from the start before we knew where he was, with clear wind to increase his lead.

He came in at a well-deserved first place in every race. After the first day we acceded to his dominance, waiting for a mistake that did not happen. A worthy and modest champion sailor.

Phillip Hall and Tom Hepburn came at second place well enough to be clear of the rest of the fleet who closely contested the remaining places. Harry Holland, our youngest competitor entering his first regatta, with his father crewing, emerged from the melee to take third place, just outpacing James and Maddy Woosnam in fourth place.

Youngest competitor Harry Holand with Dad crewing - Hansa UK National Championships at Carsington - photo © Rosie Thomas

The Oman team did very well as they were racing Hansas to gain experience for the first time, finishing very creditably in the middle of the fleet. Lovely to meet them for the first time and we are sure they enjoyed their visit to this event. As with other fleets, there was much enjoyable and skilful close racing to keep us constantly on our toes.

The Saturday evening dinner was enjoyed by 40+ diners. Our galley and club staff provided a lovely meal in a welcoming, comfortable environment for our visitors. David Durston gave a short speech of appreciation to staff and Philip Hall to galley for their hard work in provision for this gathering.

Steve Sawford gave excellent support including overseeing the delivery of the Hansa 303s and providing competitive sails for the Oman team.

The prize-giving proceeded at about the declared time and we thank John Figgures for his intervention in the absence of Ron Sawford and Mike Stoker, for organising it so well. We were fortunate to find David Graham, the CEO of World Sailing, on site in support of the Oman Team. He enthusiastically offered to make the presentations to the winners.

We have many new volunteers and committee members at Carsington Sailability, not experienced in organising an event such as this and we thank them, our senior members, our new but wonderful staff team, Rosie Thomas our photographer and all others who pulled out all the stops to make this event, in difficult circumstances, the success it has been.

Mixed 2.3 and 303 fleet - Hansa UK National Championships at Carsington - photo © Rosie Thomas

Hansa 2.3 Class Results:

Hansa 303 one-person Class Results:

Hansa 303 two-person Class Results:

Hansa Liberty Class Results:

303 one-person class start - Hansa UK National Championships at Carsington - photo © Rosie Thomas