Following 5 days of great competition and camaraderie at Southport Yacht CLub’s Hollywell complex, the 2024 Hansa Class Asia Pacific Championships have come to a close.

The final day of competition on day 5 was a short one, with only 1 race completed for the both the Liberty and 303 doubles fleets. In a nice breeze, the Liberty fleet was sent out for the first of it’s two scheduled races, with series leader Foo Yuen Wai again leading home the fleet, from New Zealand’s John Buchanan and Australia’s Charlie Weatherly in 3rd.

In the 303 doubles, it was again Australia’s Chris Symonds and Manuela Klinger skipping away from the others to notch up a perfect result with 9 wins from 9 races.

Before the Liberties could line up for their second race, fierce winds whipped up, causing a postponement. Several sailors in both the Liberties and 303 doubles went ashore as the wind continued to build. Some suggestions had the wind gusting around 30 knots further down Southport’s Broadwater. The races for these divisions were abandoned, and all sailors returned to shore.

The winds didnt ease prior to the afternoon sessions, and the 303 singles and SKUD18 sailors made the wise decision not to contest their final races.

The Hollywell boat yard was a hive of activity as boats and trailers were packed away in anticipation of the journeys home.

The presentation was hosted by SYC’s Head of Racing, Steve Murphy, who thanked the competitors for their spirit and skill across the week in a range of conditions. Commodore Glenn Burrell congratulated the fleet and PRO Louise Davidson received hearty applause from the sailors for her work in setting courses in varied conditions. Hansa Designer Chris Mitchell in turn thanked the Commodore, Race Officer, Sailability Volunteers and SYC members and staff for their hospitality across the week.

As this event was a Queensland, Australian and Asia Pacific Championships, there were many awards to be given.

The Asia Pacific Champions in the various divisions were:

• Hansa 303 Single-Person Asia-Pacific Champion

3^rd – AUS – Stephen Griffiths

2^nd – Aus – Bruce James

1^st – Japan Niwa Takumi

• Hansa 303 Two-Person Asia-Pacific Champions

3^rd – AUS/Vic – Sarah & Craig Millsom

2^nd –Aus/NSW – Lachlan Clear & Ron Garner

1^st – AUS/TAS – Chris Symonds & Manuela Klinger

• Liberty Asia-Pacific Champion

3^rd – AUS/Vic – Peter Coleman

2^nd – AUS/Vic – Charlie Weatherly

1^st – Hong Kong – Yuen Wai Foo

Liberty Servo Asia-Pacific Champion

Japan- Ryo Sasaki

• Skud 18 Qld, Australian & Asia-Pacific Champion

3^rd – Ross Manning & Crew

2^nd – Brent Geritz & Crew

3^rd – 1^st – Neil Rowsthorn & Crew

The Asia Pacific Encouragement award went to the 303 doubles team from Singapore – Ngak Hoe Yeo and Karen Koh for finishing 4^th by 1 point in their 1^st Asia Pacific Championships.

The Asia Pacific Most Improved award went to Michael Lung – USA /Hawaii. Having only sailed a Liberty at one regatta previously, this was his 1^st major regatta in a Liberty using servo on the main, he came 2^nd in 2 races and 5^th overall.

Australian Hansa Class President John Sanderson thanked Southport Yacht Club and presented them with a burgee with the regatta’s logo and invited all competitors and supporters to the Hansa World Championships in Sydney in March 2025.

A full list of prizes is available here.

Overall sailing results available here.