Please select your home edition
Edition

Hadron H2 Solent Trophy 2024 at Warsash Sailing Club

by Keith Callaghan 7 Oct 01:49 PDT 5-6 October 2024
Start of race 2 - Hadron H2 Solent Trophy at Warsash © Keith Callaghan

Over the weekend of 5-6 October, Warsash Sailing Club hosted the popular annual H2 event for the Solent Trophy. The event was added extra spice as, this being the final event of the H2 season, the new Travellers Trophy series was also to be decided.

The forecast did not look very benign, with strong winds forecast for the Saturday and rain forecast for Sunday. Nonetheless, most of the top helms were there, with the notable exception of Inland and National Champion Josh Hamer.

The 15 to 20 knots plus breeze on Saturday brewed up a nasty short sea at the entrance to Southampton water, giving the competitors plenty of opportunity to test their wave riding technique.

Richard Leftley (Bowmoor SC), regular winner of this event in winds light or strong, was doubly keen to win as he needed first place to overhaul Josh Hamer for the Travellers Trophy but he had a problem called Richard Le Mare from the host club, sailing his sparkly purple 'Alice'. RLM is at the heavier end of the H2 spectrum and 'the harder it blows the faster he goes' is his motto. Having clocked 15 knots in 'Alice' in similar conditions it was no surprise to see RLM up there with RL in each of the four Saturday races - and winning three to RL's one.

Ever-consistent Steve Hendon (Blithfield SC) got between the two Richards in race 2 and finished third in each of the other races.

The weather on Sunday was much damper, with slightly less breeze and a more moderate sea state. This turned out to be crucial as it fell within the spectrum of Richard Leftley's domination. Three races were scheduled and RLM was not going to give up his lead without a fight. RL had a challenging situation - he was going to have to clock three wins in order to secure the event. And he did just that, with RLM notching up two second places and a fourth.

Once again it was Steve Hendon up there with the two leaders, posting 3,2,3.

In common with many fleets of singlehander dinghies, crew weight plays a significant part in the results. This year's Nationals was a very light wind affair and resulted in the lighter helms being to the fore but when it blows the heavier chaps come into their own. This year has seen winners' weights ranging from 70kg to 115 kg.

So an exhausted Richard Leftley sailed back to the club knowing that he had won the Travellers Trophy as well as the Solent Trophy. Richard Le Mare finished in second place, just two points behind, with Steve Hendon third and Warsash SC member Adrian Williams in fourth place.

Warsash SC were the hosts of the very first H2 National Championships and we have visited the club every year since. Thanks to everyone who made our visit so enjoyable.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoForenameSurnameClubR1R2R3R4R5R6R7Pts
1145RichardLeftleyBowmoor SC2‑3121118
2156RichardLe MareWarsash SC11212‑429
3166StevenHendonBlithfield SC‑323332316
4154AdrianWilliamsWarsash SC454DNF45628
5152IanDawsonWarsash SC545‑1083429
6148DaveBarkerDraycote Water SC66‑9466735
7177ChrisBrownRORC976‑1057539
8102IanLittleThorpe Bay YC797‑1078846
9150StephenOliverWarsash SC888DNCDNCDNCDNC64

Related Articles

Hadron H2 Nationals at Brixham overall
No wind and no racing on the final day after a superb barbecue at the host club After a super barbecue meal at the host club on the Saturday evening, with a round of drinks provided for all competitors by Chris Brown and Hadron Dinghies, the competitors retired with little expectations for sailing on the final day of the event. Posted on 8 Sep
Hadron H2 Nationals at Brixham Day 2
Even damper than day one and with a similar wind strength Day two at Brixham turned out to be even damper than day one and with a similar wind strength (5 knots) we may have expected similar results. But no - a new helm won race 3 and race 4. Posted on 8 Sep
Hadron H2 Nationals at Brixham Day 1
Some sunshine, unlike what was forecast Most of the competitors unpacked their boats in torrential rain on the day before the event - and the forecast was for more of the same. But the forecasters were proved wrong (as they often are) and Friday, September 6th, was dry with some sunshine. Posted on 7 Sep
Chichester Harbour Race Week 2024
60th edition attracs 383 entries across 20 different fleets As Chichester Harbour Race Week 2024 reached its last-day climax, there was still all to sail for in many of the 20 different fleets competing. Posted on 2 Sep
Hadron H2 Nationals at Brixham Preview
A record number of H2s will be attending in the warm waters of Torbay Next weekend a record number of H2s will be attending the 8th Hadron H2 National Championship. 30% of the entire UK fleet will be competing for three days in the warm waters of Torbay. Posted on 31 Aug
Hadron H2 Open at Chichester
Nine veteran sailors do battle, fresh from (watching) the Olympics As dawn broke on a sunny Chichester mud pond, nine veteran sailors, fresh from (watching) the Olympics, arrived with their trusty Hadron H2 weapons which as we know is "the thinking man's single-hander", ready to do battle in the tidal creek. Posted on 6 Aug
Hadron H2 Open at Deben Yacht Club
An eventful open including a spectacular rain squall Deben Yacht Club held an eventful open meeting for Hadron H2 dinghies on Sunday, 7th July. The weather forecast was 'exciting' to say the least, with anything from sunshine to thunderstorms possible. Posted on 8 Jul
Hadron H2 Inlands at Queen Mary
Not a great day for the heavyweights! 22 Hadron H2's, representing 18 different clubs from the length and breadth of England, arrived at a glassy smooth Queen Mary reservoir for Round 2 of the H2 Travellers Trophy. Posted on 21 May
Hadron H2 Solent Trophy at Warsash
Final event of the H2 season at one of the favourite venues of the class 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. Posted on 8 Oct 2023
Hadron H2 Nationals 2023 at Highcliffe overall
Final day's breeze a marked contrast to the previous two days The weather forecasters got it right for the third and final day of the H2 Nationals, hosted by Highcliffe SC. In marked contrast to the previous two days of listless, if sunny, weather, grey skies and a strong onshore breeze greeted the competitors. Posted on 18 Sep 2023
Maritimo 2023 S600 FOOTERTrinidad and Tobago - Sail Service Stay