HANSA TT at Notts County 2025
HANSA Open at Notts County Sailing Club
The annual HANSA Travellers Trophy (TT) took place at Notts County Sailing Club on Wednesday 21st May 2025. There were entries from all over the UK and Ireland in the Liberty class and 303 1 and 2 person boats.
The HANSA boats allow many sailors who would not otherwise get on the water to sail, the are stable with a weighted centreboard and sails which can be reduced in the boat. At the event was a blind sailor, Simon Mahoney and helper Vicky Scotcher who acted as his “eyes” from Carsington. Mary Duffy from Bray / Ireland uses her feet to sail (and apparently knit!). Simon Harle would have made it his 22nd HANSA event at the club but unfortunately a servo failed keeping him onshore for the racing. Whilst on the water there is close racing off the water there is a great atmosphere at the event. This is one of the reasons many of the numerous volunteers from the club make it an annual event. The team led by Liz and Andy Kirk have to launch the boats, and hoist some sailors into the boats, run the racing and crew safety craft.
The racing took place in shifty light winds with moderate gusts and Race Officer John Davie set a trapezoidal course. As soon as everyone was on the water the racing was underway.
The Liberty class went first and Chris Emmet from Rutland took the first two traces before lunch with Paul Pearson (Rutland) second, Mary Duffy was third. After lunch it was a swap for the leaders with Paul Pearson winning both afternoon races with Chris Emmett second, and Mary Duffy third, meaning Paul won the class.
The 303 is a slightly smaller boat with one or two people on. The single handed fleet was won by Logan Bell (Rutland) with four wins, and Max Rumball (Tideway) was second. The 303 double handed was the largest fleet with Lynne and Stuart Swan (Chesil) winning every race, Steve Sawford and Clare Morris were second with two seconds and two thirds. Stuart Mahoney and Vicky Scotcher were third with a second and two thirds.
The Commodore Ken Twemlow handed out the prizes after a short delay to pack up boats (and collect some cakes !)
