The 2023 Queensland Hansa Class Championships were held on the weekend of September 2^nd and 3^rd at Southport Yacht Club’s Hollywell facility.

Perfect Queensland weather greeted the competitors, with entries received from the ACT, NSW, Victoria and New Zealand to take on the locals in the 303 singles, doubles and Liberties.

3 races were scheduled for each day’s competition, with Saturday’s racing underway following registration and competitor briefing.

Racing started on a windward/ leeward course, where local knowledge of the tides and channels paid dividends.  Two of the non-locals found the sand bar on the outer side of the course, and the strong tide saw plenty of traffic converging as the sailors turned around the marks.

Being a long weekend on the Gold Coast, there was plenty of pleasure boats on the water enjoying the weather and keeping an eye on racing.

At the end of the first day, it was the locals leading the 303 fleets with Chris Ruston in the singles, and Naomi Ohue/ Will Pringle in the doubles both leading the way with perfect score cards of 3 from 3. The honours were more evenly shared in the Liberties, with Victorian Russell Phillips, Qld’s Ross Manning and NZ’s John Buchanan all notching up a win, with results of the 3 combined races seeing Phillips in the overall lead.

Day 2 saw the previous day’s winds lighten and the crews were kept on shore until the wind strengthened enough for a start.

Confusion in the 1^st race of the day between the sailors on the course and race management saw race 4 eventually being abandoned.

Race 5 became a triangular course with sailors crossing the wake of passing boats and jet skis to complete the race.

Before the start of the final race, the wind swing 180 degrees, forcing another change of course for the sailors and race management team.

Following the completion of the regatta, the overall positions remained the same as at the end of the 1^st day’s racing, with Qld’s Chris Ruston taking home the 303 singles, Naomi Ohue/ Will Pringle in the 303 doubles and Victorian Russell Phillips in the Liberty.

Great assistance from the Club volunteers and competitors saw all boats packed away in the Clubroom and on trailers very promptly prior to the presentations.

Thanks to Southport Yacht Club members and staff and race management, PRO Steve Murphy and his on water team and the volunteers from Sailability Gold Coast for dock assistance (and a very welcome sausage sizzle). We look forward to returning to the Gold Coast for future Hansa events.

See our Facebook page for a series of fantastic images thanks to Lori Clements.

Results available here.