On the weekend of February 22 - 23 Twenty four sailors, their friends and families descended on Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron to compete in the 2020 Championships of the Hansa Class 2.3 303 and Liberty yachts.

They came from Albury Wodonga, Shepparton, Latrobe Valley, Docklands and Ballarat Sailability Clubs, bringing their specially designed yachts which can be sailed by people of all ages and ability.

The races were conducted by BYS members and Sailability Blairgowrie volunteers operating from the marina base where the yachts were berthed.  Some sailors needed to be lifted into their yachts using dockside small crane, others clambered in from the landing.

Out they went on Saturday for six races in a fresh 15-20 knot Southerly.  On Sunday a milder Northerly 6-8 knots tested their sailing skills.

When not sailing they enjoyed the hospitality of the well appointed clubhouse at BYS and there was a presentation of trophies on the upper deck late on Sunday.  After that it was hitch up the boat trailers and back home.

These photos show some of the action but better still BYS member Shaun McKenna, a professional film maker, was our there. His movie film will appear  on youtube soon.  Watch out for it to see keen sailors in Australian designer Chris Mitchell’s  wonderful little  Hansa yachts !