H2 Open at Bowmoor Sailing Club

Twelve H2s gathered at Bowmoor Sailing Club on Saturday 12th April, there was not a cloud in the sky and a gentle easterly breeze greeted the fleet. Based on the conditions most of us assumed it would be a shoot out between Ian Dawson and Josh Hamer who have cemented their position as light wind specialists over the last few years. The schedule was for four races with two in the morning and two after lunch, a format that proved popular with the fleet and as ever Bowmoor put on a great event both on and off the water.

With the fleet keen to get back to close fleet racing the start line was inevitably keenly fought over all weekend. In the first race the team indicated an individual recall but none of us wanted to go back preferring to hope it was not us that was over. The first lap was very close racing with the entire fleet going round the first leeward mark almost at the same time, as ever in the H2 fleet it was firm but fair racing and no voices were raised or crunches of carbon heard. Josh inevitably made his way to the front but Ian was held up in the pack and struggling to get a clear lane finishing fourth on the water with Richard Leftley and Andrew McGaw ahead of Ian. We later discovered that Josh was OCS so the win went to Richard, Andrew in second and Ian in third.

H2 Open at Bowmoor - photo © David Fewings

The start of the second race was also fiercely fought but Josh's mainsheet broke as the gun went, an individual recall was posted and once more no-one wanted to go back. As Josh headed to the shore to make repairs the rest of us raced on with Richard and Ian getting clear of the chasing pack led by Andrew McGaw, Chris Brown and James Hayden. It looked to be Ian's race until the last run where Richard saw a gust coming down the lake, banged the right corner and sailed past Ian for the win. We later found out that both Ian and Andrew were OCS so Richard kept his win but Chris was promoted to second and James to third.

The fleet took an hour off for an excellent curry and enjoyed the sunshine on the deck of the sailing club and the realisation set in that the light wind favourites had not had a great start to the open with Josh banking an OCS and a RET and Ian taking a third and an OCS. With the breeze looking to step up a notch it was all to play for in the afternoon.

H2 Open at Bowmoor - photo © David Fewings

For the third race our enthusiasm for the line reached fever pitch resulting in a general recall for which the author was extremely happy as I might have been well over the line. Our race officer then introduced us to his black flag and order was restored in all future starts. At our second attempt the fleet got away cleanly with Ian and Josh establishing a decent lead over the chasing pack which was led by Richard, Gavin and Andrew. The fourth race was almost a carbon copy held in a dying breeze with big holes emerging across the course. Josh got well ahead in the fourth race for a dominant win leaving Ian to fend off Richard.

After four races we headed for the club for a well-earned beer. The prize-giving was a bit of a surprise as some of those that had been scored OCS were not aware. The final scores had Richard Leftley as a surprise open winner having benefitted from no OCS, Ian Dawson was a well-deserved second and Gavin Fleming as a new comer to the fleet a well deserved third. The fleet moves on to Chichester Yacht Club for a training day on Saturday 26th April and an Open on Sunday 27th April.

Overall Results: