News & Media
Release: Practice Race and Opening Ceremony kick off 2025 Hansa and Para Worlds
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 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, 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
Welcome to the 2025 International Hansa Class Association World and International Championships
incorporating the 2025 Para World Sailing Championships
Dear Fellow sailors, guests, volunteers, officals’ and members,
It is with immense pleasure that we welcome you to the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) for the 2025 Hansa World and International Championships, as well as the Para World Championships. This landmark event will bring together 182 sailors from 19 countries, supported by over 130 dedicated volunteers and officials, all converging on our picturesque Pittwater.
RPAYC has a proud history of promoting inclusivity and excellence in sailing. Our commitment to adaptive sailing dates back to 1997 when we hosted the Hobie 16 Trapseat World Championships for sailors with disabilities. This tradition continues as we prepare to host the upcoming championships, which will feature competitions in five Hansa classes, including the Hansa 2.3, Hansa 303 (one-person and two-person), Liberty, and SKUD 18.
We are honored to welcome back esteemed sailors such as Paralympic gold medalist Dan Fitzgibbon, who will be competing in the SKUD 18 class. Their participation, along with that of other distinguished sailors like Vera Voorbach (NED), a past world and European champion in the Liberty class, and Paul Phillips (GBR), second at the 2023 Hansa Worlds, underscores the high caliber of this event.
This championship is not just a competition—it is a celebration of equal opportunity in sailing. The Hansa class is uniquely designed to accommodate sailors of all abilities, from able-bodied athletes to those with significant physical impairments, ensuring that everyone can experience the freedom and joy of sailing on an even playing field. RPAYC is proud to serve as the venue for this prestigious event, showcasing our dedication to inclusivity and the spirit of sailing for all.
To our members, your unwavering support and enthusiasm are invaluable. We encourage you to actively participate in the event, whether by volunteering, attending races, or extending a warm welcome to our guests. Your involvement enriches the experience for all and exemplifies the camaraderie that defines RPAYC.
To our guests, we extend our heartfelt welcome. We hope you feel at home and experience the hospitality that our club is renowned for. May your time here be filled with memorable races, new friendships, and a deepened passion for the sport of sailing.
Let us come together to celebrate this remarkable occasion, fostering a spirit of unity, competition, and mutual respect.
Warm regards,
Robert McClelland
Commodore, RPAYC
Para Classification and Eligibility
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
Archives
Below are some links to previous years events, you can view the 'Archive' page for each event.
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