Hanseatic Ski race - Kings Lynn

Hartlepool water skiers were in action on the  weekend of 22nd/23rd august in the

inaugural Hanseatic waterski race in kings Lynn. The event is a new venture between Hunstanton waterski club and the local council. The event was a big draw with hundreds of spectators lining the banks of the Great Ouse to catch the action. The event draws its name from the Hanseatic league which was a 13th century trading agreement between merchants across the east coast, Belgian, Dutch and German ports. The event true to its name drew 43 teams from across the Uk and Belgium to race for honours over the 4.5km river course.

Over the two days of racing teams clocked up 660 Laps, 2738 km or 1701 miles of waterskiing. Steven van Gaeveren of Belgium took honours overall in the men's F1 whilst Marisa Alongi won overall in the ladies for Great Britain.

Local Hartlepool interest saw ski racing legend Cliff Featherstone compete in the senior men's race where he finished 4th Overall. Geoff Watson also competed in the open race finishing 5th. 62 year old Cliff has been ski racing for  over 50 years now and competed in the first British National series race at Hartlepool in 1968 with his  father Ron driving and local skiing star Tommy Richardson observing. The race went from Hartlepool to Sunderland and back but was shortened due to fog. Cliff also won the 1974 Formula 1 European Grand Prix at Hartlepool. He went on to represent GB many times over the years including world championships in Italy in 1989 and Australia in 1991. 

The Hanseatic event was a resounding success and organisers are hoping that the event will run again next year.

Eastern daily press footage

Race start footage