MEDIA RELEASE  24 March, 2025

Practice Race and Opening Ceremony kick off 2025 Hansa and Para Worlds 

Today 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 or two-person), Liberty and SKUD18 classes will take place every day from tomorrow until the final races on Sunday 30^th 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, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain and USA.

For all information on the event, including entries, please visit: https://hansaworlds.org/ Check current Notices HERE

For all information on RPAYC and its facilities, please visit: https://rpayc.com.au/

By Di Pearson/Hansa Worlds

***Ends ***

Please credit photos as attached

For further information, please contact:

Di Pearson

Nautical Promotions

Email: nautical3@bigpond.com

Para Classification & Eligibility

It is less than two weeks before the 2025 Hansa World and International Championships, incorporating a series of Para Sailing World and International Championships. We are looking forward to welcoming you to Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club for this wonderful event.

To be eligible for the Para Sailing Championships, you need to register for classification HERE if you haven’t already done so.

Does one of the following apply to you?

• If you have a physical disability or vision impairment but are not on the World Sailing Para Classification Master List, you should register as soon as possible.
• If you have intellectual impairment but are not on the Virtus Master List for Sailing and do not have evidence of membership of Special Olympics in your country, you should register as soon as possible to apply for Australian Sailing Provisional Classification for Athletes with Intellectual Impairment.
• If you are on the World Sailing Para Classification Master List with Review (R) Status, you should register as soon as possible.
• If you are on the World Sailing Para Classification Master List with Confirmed (C) Status, you should register if there has been any change in your condition.
• If you are deaf, or have low hearing, classification is not necessary but hopefully you have let us know when you entered.

Please complete the Medical Diagnostics Form (MDF) that is available on the World Sailing website under the classification section, and bring this with you to classification along with any relevant medical documents or confirmation of your medical condition to streamline the process and avoid any last-minute issues.

We encourage all eligible sailors to be formally classified for sailing.  Not only does classification make you eligible for additional championship prizes but increasing the number of classified athletes around the world supports the bid for having sailing reinstated in the Paralympic Sailing Competition!

Also, please remember that you are required to be affiliated to your World Sailing Member National Authority (National Sailing Federation) and be a member of your National Hansa Class Association (membership of the International Hansa Class Association is available at registration for sailors whose country does not have a NHCA).

If you have any questions about the event, please email sailing@rpayc.com.au.

We are looking forward to a great, inclusive Hansa Worlds!

RPAYC Sailing Office