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Hadron H2 Solent Trophy at Warsash Sailing Club

by Keith Callaghan 8 Oct 2023 19:29 UTC 7-8 October 2023
Hadron H2 Solent Trophy at Warsash © Keith Callaghan

Warsash Sailing Club is one of the favourite venues for the Hadron H2s. The Hamble club hosted the first H2 Nationals in 2017 when every H2 then built attended and we have been back nearly every year since. This year the racing for the Solent Trophy was held on October 7-8, the last H2 event of the season.

October can of course be very autumnal but the 13 entries were blessed with warm sunshine and on the Saturday a brisk 15-20 knot breeze - champagne sailing in October! Race officer Nigel Russel set a trapezoid course which ensured that the H2s got their fair share of reaching for everyone to enjoy. Perhaps it was no surprise to see Richard Leftley and Richard Le Mare battling it out for the first two places in each of the four races, with two wins and two second places each. However, the third placed competitor was a surprise - Steven Hendon (Blithfield SC), a newcomer to the class, having taken possession only three weeks ago of the first H2 moulded by Winder Boats, notched up a 4th place and three thirds.

It was a very tired group of sailors who made their way back to the clubhouse after over four hours on the water but a convivial evening meal at the club in the company of the Finn fleet set up everyone for the following day.

But it was not to be. On Sunday morning the smoke could be seen rising vertically from the Fawley refinery chimneys and with no improvement by midday the racing was abandoned. Richard Leftley was declared the winner, having beaten Richard Le Mare in the fourth race, but he had left early so attended the prize-giving by video - a technological first for the class!

So, in summary, a great weekend weather-wise, a super-hospitable club, and great racing on one day. Thanks to all club members, afloat and ashore, who helped make the event a great success.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmClubR1R2R3R4Pts
1st145Richard LeftleyBowmoor SC‑21214
2nd156Richard Le MareWarsash SC1‑2124
3rd166Steven HendonBlithfield SC‑43339
4th105Tim GarvinQueen Mary SC344‑511
5th154Adrian WilliamsWarsash SC5103‑816
6th159Josh HamerGlossop SC665‑717
7th131Roger MillettChichester SC‑887419
8th146Andrew McGawGrafham Water SC77‑8620
9th148Dave BarkerDraycote Water SC‑10991028
10th127Chris BrownRORC11‑1310930
11th152Ian DawsonWarsash SC910‑141433
12th113Neil SmythePaignton SC131111‑1435
13th150Stephen OliverWarsash SC1212‑141438

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