Woolverstone Project - back racing!
Published 21:16 on 3 Sep 2026
Some years ago, I'm told, there were a number of Woolverstone Project sailors who represented the Project on the national Hansa TT (Traveller) series of races, travelling around the country to participate in events, competing against Hansa sailors from other Sailability Clubs. (Some of you may recall that we hosted one of the TT events at Alton Water about 3 years ago).
Well, I'm very pleased to say that the Project is now officially "back on the circuit"!
Oliver Barrett one of the young sailors who attend our Thursday evening Youth Group, participated in his first Hansa TT at Rutland Water on 22nd August, competing against some top class Hansa sailors with many more years experience than he has. In fact, to his credit, Oliver, (in Avocet, the blue boat) who is only 13, finished 4th in the final race of the day, only one place behind the current Hansa 3.03 World Champion, Rory McKinna!
Oliver (3821) at the Rutland Hansa TT
We had a great day at Rutland Water, and found the Hansa class competitors to be very welcoming and encouraging. Whilst the majority of the competitors are adults, there were about 8 young people participating in the event, half of whom, like Oliver, were participating in their first TT. So to mark this occasion the Class Association awarded all the youngsters with Rooster Sailing caps!
Oliver so enjoyed the experience that he has already signed up to participate in the next event on September 30th at Papercourt Sailing Club in Woking; and if all goes well the final event of the series in October at Frensham Pond.
We're keen to build on Oliver's initial success and as well as coaching a few of our other youngsters we're also looking into whether there would be interest in starting some race coaching for adults next season; potentially on Monday afternoons, following on from the Adult Opens. If this would be of interest please let me know.
Oliver goose-winging downwind in close formation with the rest of the fleet
Finally, we're also hoping to host one of next year's Hansa TT series events at Alton Water. Discussions are still at an early stage but it would be great to have "Team Woolverstone" participating in this event and potentially at other of the TT series events. Watch this spac
Graham Seabrook
Last updated 21:16 on 3 September 2026
