Hansa World Championships 2023

After over a year of planning, organising, and fundraising, the Hansa Class UK managed to get a team of 21 sailors to Portimao in Portugal to compete in the Hansa World Championships.

The team needed to transport 16 boats to the event, as well as volunteers for rigging, launching, helping sailors, and to provide on water support and coaching. In total 45 people were involved in the operation. To make it affordable, many of the sailors engaged in fundraising activities including a quiz, race nights, prize draws, grant applications, and even car parking fees. In total approximately £20k was raised in order to make it possible. The RYA also provided some support for the team, which also included some pre-event training which was held at Rutland. A second training event was run in conjunction with the Andrew Simpson Foundation at Chesil, attended by 13 sailors. The whole exercise was a real team effort and an amazing achievement. We're very grateful to all who supported us: RYA Sailability, Frensham Pond Sailability, Evolve Leadership, Royal Southern Yacht Club, Woosnam Trust, Bruce Wake, Wooden Spoon, and others who wish to remain anonymous.

Hansa World Championships at Portimão, Portugal - Logan Bell downwind - photo © Claire Morris

Hansa World Championships at Portimão, Portugal - Logan Bell downwind - photo © Claire Morris

There was a wide range of sailing ability and experience within the UK team. For many this was their first experience of an international event, and what an event to start with. There were an amazing 189 boats competing, divided into 4 classes: 87 Hansa 303 one-person; 75 Hansa 303 two-person; 17 Libertys; and 10 Hansa 2.3s. Whilst the event is open to all, there is a sub plot because Hansa 303 one-person class is also a Parasailing class; 58 of the sailors were classified as having a qualifying disability. All three of the sailors on the podium in the open event qualified as Para sailors, quite a performance. Hansas are designed to enable everybody to compete on level terms, the results across the fleets have demonstrated that this has been achieved.

Although it was hoped by the organisers that sailing could take place outside of the harbour wall, this was only possible for the practice race and the first day of racing due to strong winds and poor sea state. Monday saw the start of the event for the Libertys, 2.3's, and the 303 one-person fleet, which was divided into two. The wind was light and the sea state lumpy which some found challenging. All classes scheduled managed to complete 3 races on either an inner or outer trapezoid course. Tuesday's start was delayed because of strong squally winds and torrential rain.

Hansa World Championships at Portimão, Portugal - Logan Bell from Rutland Sailability - photo © @portimaochampionships23

Hansa World Championships at Portimão, Portugal - Logan Bell from Rutland Sailability - photo © @portimaochampionships23

The 2-person 303 fleet was also split and sent out separately to compete on a windward/leeward course within the harbour. The first fleet completed one race and were sent in when the second race was abandoned as an apocalyptic storm reduced visibility to a few meters. Once it had passed, the other fleet ventured out and completed a single race. With the forecast for Thursday looking even worse, the race organisers decided to complete 3 races for all fleets on Wednesday. It turned out to be a good decision, Thursday was cancelled. Friday saw strong winds, at times on the upper limits for safety, but all fleets completed 2 races. There was a change to the Sailing Instructions which meant that the planned medal races were dropped, giving all sailors an opportunity to compete in 9 races with one discard.

Despite the unusually inclement weather, the organisers managed to provide an almost complete programme of social events in the evenings. Everybody from all 17 nations got involved, enjoying great food, music, dancing, singing, and most of all, each other's company. The International Hansa Class has become a fantastic, friendly community of people who help each other to make such events possible and enjoyable. That said, the event is an extremely high standard, and once out on the race course competition is fierce. There are many pictures posted here on the event's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/portimaochampionships23

Hansa World Championships at Portimão, Portugal - Paul Phillips - 2nd Liberty - Frensham Pond Sailability - photo © @portimaochampionships23

Hansa World Championships at Portimão, Portugal - Paul Phillips - 2nd Liberty - Frensham Pond Sailability - photo © @portimaochampionships23

The UK team performed extremely well. Rory McKinna achieved his first podium position in a World Championships, coming 3rd in the 303 one-person fleet following a strong finish in the last 3 gold fleet races. Mike Everitt also did well to finish 16th in such a large, competitive fleet. The title was retained by Piotr Cichocki of Poland, with Joao Pinto 2nd. Another fantastic result was achieved by Paul Phillips in the Liberty fleet who built on his 3rd place in Palermo 2021 to finish 2nd this time round, missing out on the top spot by a mere 3 points. Also in the Liberty fleet David Durston pipped Bob Schahinger, the 2019 World Champion, to 4th place. Gerard Eychenne from France took top honours with Vera Voorbach losing her title to finish 3rd.

Full results can be found at proregatta.com/events/280

Hansa World Championships at Portimão, Portugal - Rory McKinna collecting his prize for 3rd Hansa 303 - one-person - Clyde Cruising Club - photo © @portimaochampionships23

Hansa World Championships at Portimão, Portugal - Rory McKinna collecting his prize for 3rd Hansa 303 - one-person - Clyde Cruising Club - photo © @portimaochampionships23

The event was quite an eye opener for some new members of the team in terms of the scale, the demands of racing big courses, and the standard of the sailing. Next year the Hansa European Championships will be held in Sneek, the Netherlands. Everybody enjoyed the team spirit and the occasion of Portimao so much that plans are already under way to build the team further towards the Dutch event.

If you'd like to find out more and get involved you can follow us on Facebook or Instagram: @hansaclassuk