HOD35 Nationals at the Royal Thames Yacht Club

Over the weekend of the 19th/20th July, in Cowes, eight HOD35s contested this years national championship. With four different winners in the four races and the overall winner not winning a race this years racing was closer and tighter than ever before and fantastic fun.

The first race began in 12-16kts of breeze from the south west, with windward/leeward races on the saturday, Carpetbagger made the early running taking the first race. The second race saw Owl over the line first with Psipsina 2nd, and Zarafa, Carpetbagger and Capitali$m crossing the line together, the photo finish went to Zarafa. Malice sailed an excellent third race taking line honours.

On the saturday evening the class met for it's annual meeting and dinner in the Royal Yacht Squadron, with the new class Captain announcing his engagement during the dinner.

Sunday came with a little more breeze and with some more south in it. With an east going tide the race around the Solent cans needed some good tide work and with large shifts tactics played a large part. Zarafa and Capitali$m fought over the lead for the majority of the race until Capitali$m took the left hand side of the final beat, gaining from a left shift and slacker tide over Ryde Middle to take the last race of the series. Zarafa had done just enough to win the regatta with a point to spare from Carpetbagger who had a point to spare from Psipsina.

Huge thanks must go to the Royal Thames who ran an excellent regatta, with some very slick turn arounds between the races and to Harken Yacht Equipment for provided prizes. With four HOD35s going to Cowes for Cowes week and three boats going around the Rock the week after, the regatta not only provided great racing but also a valuable warm up for the next few weeks.

Overall Results: