Hadron H2 National Championship 2023 at Highcliffe Sailing Club - Overall

Close racing on day 3 at the Hadron H2 Nationals © Sarah Desjonqueres

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.

This made launching from the beach an exciting process but was managed in excellent fashion by Mark Hawkins and his team. But the prospect was so daunting that a quarter of the fleet decided to stay ashore. Ian Dawson was one of those who did so, reckoning wisely that as a lightweight and the oldest person in the fleet he was unlikely to improve on his current lowest position of third.

Ian's decision left Robin Parsons as the heir apparent to last year's champion, Nick Craig. In only the weirdest of circumstances could Josh Hamer, then in third place, overtake him. Knowing this, Robin could also have sat this out but off he went to have some fun with his friends. The H2 is a great boat in extreme conditions and 'extreme' it became as torrential rain, thunder and lightning joined in with an increasing wind, which was gusting to over 25 knots. Visibility went down to about 200 metres and PRO Paul Butler wisely postponed for a while until visibility cleared.

Richard Le Mare in his element at the Hadron H2 Nationals - photo © Sarah Desjonqueres

It was definitely going to be a day for the big boys in the fleet. In these extreme conditions it was no surprise to see Richard Le Mare out in front, thundering round the course in a cloud of spray to register wins in races 7 and 8. (Compare this to his best result from the previous two days - 7th). Nick Wapshott (Roadford Lake SC) registered his best result of the event in race 7, coming second, while in race 8 Richard Leftley at last sailed to his true potential with a fine second place. Barry Wolfenden (Bough Beech SC) was also on top form with his two best results - 3rd and 4th. David Batchelor (Isle of Man SC), Tim Garvin and Simon Hipkin all did well in getting top 5 results. Josh Hamer, at the lighter end of the weight range, achieved two creditable 6th places. Lacking the weight of those already mentioned, Robin Parsons managed 11th and 12th, which he was able to discard.

So a day of great fun in the wind and rain but it had no effect on the overall result. Robin Parsons, third last year, is the 2023 H2 National Champion. Ian Dawson repeats last year's result in second place with Josh Hamer in third and Richard Leftley in fourth.

Robin Parsons crowned champion at the Hadron H2 Nationals - photo © Sarah Desjonqueres

Wet and very tired, the fleet was successfully brought ashore by Mark's stalwarts. As is the custom in the class, every competitor received a prize and in addition there were weight and age related prizes:

• The Lightweights Trophy: Robin Parsons
• The Heavyweights Trophy:Richard Leftley
• Master (age 60 to 64): Robin Parsons
• Grand Master (age 65 to 69): Chris Brown
• Ulysses Trophy (70 and over): Ian Dawson

So ended an event with extremes of weather and nothing in between. A thoroughly enjoyable long weekend hosted by a friendly and hospitable club. Thanks to Highcliffe SC Rear Commodore Graham Platt for organising the event in cooperation with H2 Class Association events manager Adrian Williams.

And thanks to Wessex Resins - suppliers of epoxy resins for the Hadron H2 - for providing prizes for the top 3 places.

Overall Results: