By Rachael Cox
A fabulous weekend of racing for the WA Hansa State Championships, which was part of RPYC Mini Series over the weekend of 8 – 9 February 2025, was enjoyed by many.
Sailability WA gives a massive thank you to Royal Perth Yacht Club for organising the 2025 Refined Edge Mini Series, which included Hansa class boats in this event to host the WA Hansa State Championships for 2025. Excellent race management by RPYC on BRAVO course where the Hansa 303 double class and the Hansa Liberty fleets were racing. Sailabillity WA volunteers assisted with boat set up on Friday 7th, provided on water safety for both fleets in the Sailabiltiy RIB for racing on Saturday and Sunday, as well as at conclusion of racing, to pack the boats away.
It was great to see a fleet of 7 Hansa Libertys and 4 Hansa 303’s taking part in this event, with sailors coming from sailing clubs around the state including Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, Royal Perth Yacht Club and Princess Royal Sailing Club (Albany). We welcomed newer/ less experienced sailors to the Hansa 303 double fleet with two boats taking part in and getting out on the water. For the first time in 2025, Mark and Keshie were in ‘Sail’n’Away’ and Liz and Archie were in ‘Banana Boat’.
A big weekend for sailors competing in the WA Hansa State Championship, with 6 races sailed over two days, with different wind conditions over both days of racing. The first race of the series was completed in a light breeze before sailors were sent ashore for lunch while the breeze stabilised, and a further two races completed in the afternoon in a westerly 8-12knts.
For the second race day on Sunday, the breeze was stronger and more consistently coming from the south west 12-18 knts, with two races completed before we had a break for lunch and the final race of the 6 race series sailed in strong breeze up to 18knts!
Racing on Sunday was challenging for the newer sailors in the Hansa Liberty and Hansa 303 (double fleets) in the strong breeze, however it was a great experience to get out on the water and race on the Swan River/Derbal Yerrigan on the BRAVO course.
Congratulations to the winners in each division, with the following sailors awarded the WA Hansa Liberty and Hansa 303 champions for this year.
Hansa Liberty:
First- Robert Cofts, RFBYC, in Barracudd
Second- Rachael Cox, RPYC, in Rob Carter
Third- Susette Evans, PRSC, in Comet
Hansa 303 double:
First- Genevieve Wickham and George Elms, RPYC, in Lorelle
Second- Kylie Forth and Fi McCabe/ Kiara Parkinson, RPYC, in Lost at See
Third- Archie Sell and Liz Syed, RPYC, in Banana Boat.
The WA Hansa Liberty Champion and WA Hansa 303 Champion perpetual trophies will be updated so that sailors can proudly display the trophy at their home Club.
Thanks to on ongoing support from Healthway and WA Disabled Sports Association to enable sailors with disabilites to #ACT/BELONG/COMMIT and compete on the Swan River/Derbal Yerrigan for 2025.
Photo gallery to be updated on the Sailability WA website soon!
