A sailing spectacle as lake hosts national champs

LAKE Wendouree was treated to a sailing spectacle over the Easter break as the Ballarat Yacht Club hosted the combined state and national Hansa all abilities sailing championships.

Club commodore Neville Bilney said the championships provided an impressive example of what’s possible for people of all abilities to achieve in sailing, competing on an equal footing with able-bodied sailors of all ages.

“We’ve had people from Western Australia, Tassie and New South Wales, and Queensland and it’s great to see people with disabilities able to be out there and doing things – people with one arm and a leg missing. It’s just amazing to see,” Bilney said.

Great conditions ensured some good competition.

“It’s incredible to see how well they do with some of the disabilities and health issues they have. They’re free to go out and in full control.

“We had lots of volunteers from the yacht club help running it, lifting people into boats with cranes where needed, and the patrol boats were manned by volunteers.

“Saturday was the windiest day we had and it got a little bit exciting for a few of them and for the rest of the time it was pretty much perfect conditions on the other days.”

Slight breezes through to gusty winds over 30 knots produced some impressive results.

While Ballarat had previously hosted the Hansa class state championships, hosting the nationals was a first for the club and given the success on Lake Wendouree, Bilney said it is unlikely to be the last.

“Everyone’s had a really good weekend,” said one of the event coordinators, Alison Hogan, as competition entered the final stages earlier this week.

“We’ve had an incredible Easter of inclusive sailing with sailors aged from nine to over 70 from all around Australia taking on the best Lake Wendouree had to offer, from slight breezes to gusty winds over 30 knots.

The Hansa Fleet lined up at Ballarat Yacht Club which has hosted the combined Victorian and National Hansa Class Championships.

“Ballarat’s done a wonderful job for volunteers and we’ve had good wind, a lot more than we usually do and everyone’s enjoyed that challenge.

“It’s also been really enjoyable with the easy viewing from the shoreline here from St Pat’s Point or the yacht club deck where everyone has been able to sit down and watch their friends racing.”