Hansa Class UK Traveller Trophy Series Round 6 at Northampton Sailing Club: A Premier Sailing Event
Hansa Class UK Traveller Trophy Series Round 6 at Northampton Sailing Club
27 July 2024
The Hansa TT Traveller Series returned to Pitsford Reservoir in Northamptonshire, featuring 4 classes with a total of 24 boats and 29 sailors, plus one sea dog!
The event faced challenging wind conditions, fluctuating from flat calm to F5, with unpredictable shifts throughout the day. Fortunately, anticipated afternoon rain did not materialize.
In an impressive show of competition, three of the four classes needed to rely on the ISAF Appendix A8.2 “best recent scores” rule due to ties in points between the top boats—demonstrating the close racing throughout the day.
The morning races kicked off smoothly, particularly in the 303 one-person class, where the fleet had a phenomenal start with most boats crossing the line together. The wind shifted Westerly late in Race 2, but without major incidents.
As the afternoon progressed, the course was shortened as the winds began to fade. The start of Race 3 was delayed due to a complete lack of wind, eliciting a humorous response from the safety boat about the situation, as Pitsford lies far from the sea.
After 25 minutes of waiting, racing finally resumed as the wind returned. Race 3 featured exciting competition, with one 303 crew narrowly losing third place right at the finish line. The final race brought more surprises, as the wind strengthened to F4/5, keeping sailors on their toes.
In the Hansa 2.3 class, Lindsay Burns achieved a clean sweep, winning all three races. The Hansa 303 one-person class saw a fierce battle between Rory McKinna and Jazz Turner, ending with equal scores and necessitating the usage of the best recent score rule to declare Rory as the overall winner. Some observers felt that Jazz’s performance was commendable, particularly since her boat carried the additional weight of Phoebe, the sea dog.
In the Hansa two-person class, Lynn Swann and Stuart emerged victorious, also through the best recent score rule, as Philip Hall and Denise Bryant ended the day on equal points. Third place was claimed by local sailor Paula Roddy, who partnered with Mike Everitt from Frensham.
In the Liberty class, potential controversy was avoided when the results were corrected to reflect the best recent score rule, leading to a reversal of positions for first and second place, with Chris Emmet advocating for Dave Durston as the rightful winner—an admirable display of sportsmanship.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the volunteers from Northampton Sailability and Northampton Sailing Club, whose efforts contributed to a successful event—especially to Sarah for the delicious cakes enjoyed afterward.
Full results can be found here.
Oliver Hayes, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Southampton, has a profound love for the sea that has shaped his career. Holding a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Portsmouth, Oliver is celebrated for his compelling and insightful storytelling. His work vividly captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime heritage of the United Kingdom, making him a respected figure in the sailing community. When not writing, Oliver enjoys exploring the British Isles’ diverse coastlines and participating in local regattas, always on the lookout for his next nautical adventure.