The 2026 combined Victorian and Australian Hansa Class Championships returned to their traditional Easter timeslot and to one of the first clubs worldwide to embrace Hansa Class boats more than 30 years ago — the Ballarat Yacht Club.

Featuring competitors from across Australia, this event showcased inclusive sailing at its finest, with competitors aged from nine to their mid‑70s, disabled and able-bodied sailors, family members, partners and friends competing with and against each other across three days of racing in the Hansa 2.3, 303 singles, doubles and Liberty.

Day One – Easter Saturday

After measurement, coaching clinics and practice races on the Friday, competition began on Saturday in gusty conditions, with one gust recorded nearby reaching 34 knots. All divisions completed three races.

In the Liberty fleet, South Australia’s Bob Schahinger claimed two wins before retiring from the third race having broken two jib struts during the 2^nd and 3^rd races. In the 303 Doubles, Tasmania’s Chris Symonds and Manuela Klinger dominated, taking all three opening races.

The afternoon session saw the 2.3 and 303 Singles fleets head out. Local Ballarat sailor Charlie Weatherly swept all three races in the 2.3 division. Wins in the 303 Singles were shared between sailors from Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT, with Bruce James (VIC) narrowly in the lead at the end of the day.

Day Two – Easter Sunday

Sunday brought more forgiving weather, with the 2.3 and 303 Singles fleets opening the day’s event.

Charlie Weatherly (VIC) continued his strong form in the 2.3, winning the first two races before finishing third in the final race behind NSW sailor John Bubb. Weatherly’s nine‑year‑old protégé, Winter‑Lily Milne, thrilled the crowd — which included Hansa Class designer Chris Mitchell — by finishing second behind Bubb and in front of Weatherly in the third race. The youngster also teamed up with her grandmother to sail in the 303 doubles.

In the 303 Singles, NSW sailors led the way, with Gareth Bishop taking two wins and Greg Myers one. Victoria’s Bruce James remained close behind in second overall.

The afternoon session featured the 303 Doubles and Liberty fleets. Bob Schahinger added two more Liberty wins, while the second race went to young Ballarat local James Risby, who was competing against his aunt and grandmother, Alison and Di Weatherly.

Symonds and Klinger continued their commanding performance in the 303 Doubles, winning all three races. Victorian pairs Tim Marchinton and Stephen Griffiths, along with siblings Sarah and Craig Millsom, remained close behind.

Day Three – Easter Monday

Stronger winds returned on Monday as the 303 Doubles and Liberty fleets opened the final day.

In the Liberty fleet, Schahinger remained untouchable, winning the final two races to seal the championship. Husband‑and‑wife team Sean Hogan and Alison Weatherly traded second‑place finishes, with Alison’s results ultimately securing second overall. Sean finished tied on points with Russell Phillips but claimed third on countback.

The 303 Doubles title was never in doubt, with Tasmania’s Symonds and Klinger completing a perfect scorecard. Sailing together in their first regatta, Marchinton and Griffiths finished second, ahead of Sarah and Craig Millsom in third.

Port Kembla’s John Bubb improved on his earlier results, winning both 2.3 Singles races in the afternoon. However, it wasn’t enough to overtake Weatherly, who secured the overall title.

In the closest fleet, the 303 singles saw no change to the leaderboard after the final two races, with Myers going 1,2 to hold off James in a countback, with Bishop in third place, two points behind.

Team Victoria secured the State Teams Trophy and Tim Marchinton the Most Improved Sailor Award. Grandmother and granddaughter Karen Lee and Winter-Lily Milne received the Encouragement Award with Milne also receiving the Best  Youth Award.

Thanks to the Commodore Neville Bilney, the Ballarat Yacht Club members, volunteers and Café staff for their help and hospitality. Also, Race Officers Srikanth Chaturvedi Thimiti and Ron Stead and our Jurors headed by Darren Eger.

Special thanks to Alison Weatherly for the incredible amount of work that went into making the event happen.

Great drone footage and photos from Paul McInnes can be found on the AHCA Facebook page.

Full results available via this link.