Sunday marked the first day of the 2025 Hansa and Para Worlds, as 200 excited sailors and race officials from around the world gathered at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) on Pittwater for a practice race, followed by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, opening the Championships.
The event takes in the Hansa World and International Championships, Australian and NSW Hansa Class Championships plus the Para World Championships. Among those competing are Paralympic gold, silver and bronze medallists and world champion sailors.
Registration of competitors ended with the Spanish team the last to check in. Then it was time for the practice race and the sailors got off lightly in a 2-5 knot easterly, suiting some, but not all. For most, it was a pleasant way to get used to sailing on Pittwater.
The Race Briefing followed at 4pm and then the best of the day, the Opening Ceremony started at 5pm with the Parade of Nations and a Smoking Ceremony and Traditional Aboriginal Welcome by Walangari Karntawarra.
International Hansa Class Association World President, Vera Voorbach, who is also a competitor at this event, welcomed all to the event.
RPAYC Commodore, Robert McClelland, also welcomed official guests, competitors, officials and the multitude of volunteers: “This event is a celebration of freedom, independence, and inclusivity—principles that are at the very heart of Hansa sailing and fundamental to our Club,” he said.
“The Class has opened the doors of our sport to thousands of people, allowing sailors of all abilities to compete on a level playing field.
“None of this would have been possible without one man’s vision. Chris Mitchell is the founder, designer, and driving force behind the Hansa class. His dedication has resulted in over 3,800 Hansa boats sailing in 38 countries, introducing approximately 200,000 people to sailing every year,” the Commodore said.
The Governor of NSW, the Honourable Margaret Beazley, then officially declared the Championships open, as a flag bearer raised the flags of each nation.
A gourmet dinner is to follow at RPAYC. Much talk was already centering around the day’s practice race, the beauty of Pittwater, when most have never visited before – and of course, tomorrow’s first race of the Championships. Racing will commence from 1pm on two course areas and everyone will enjoy live music from 5pm back at the Club afterwards.
Racing in the Hansa 2.3, 303 (one and two-person), Liberty and SKUD18 classes will take place every day from tomorrow until the final races on Sunday 30th March. The Closing Ceremony and Presentation will follow.
Weatherwise, competitors can expect a south-easterly of around 10 knots becoming east to north-easterly in the middle of the day. It could provide tricky if the south-easterly is still lingering when racing gets underway. All will have to be ready for the transition to a sea breeze.
Competitors are here from Australia wide, Chile, Brazil, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Türkiye and USA.
For all information on the event, including entries, please visit: https://hansaworlds.org/
For all information on RPAYC and its facilities, please visit: https://rpayc.com.au/
By Di Pearson/Hansa Worlds
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