H2 Inland Championships at Grafham Water Sailing Club

H2 Inland Championships at Grafham © Dave Barker

H2 Inland Championships at Grafham © Dave Barker

A select group of H2 sailors arrived at Grafham Water on Sat 17th May for their Inland champs (shared with D-Zeros and RS600s). They soon discovered that shorts were a poor choice. The south coast sailors already had nosebleeds from travelling so far North, and the grey sky and Northerly wind meant most headed straight inside for coffee and bacon sarnies.

The fun started early when Chris (Hikers) Brown sporting his daughter's headband (look out for leg warmers next time) pulled out his brand new Sandiline hikers and proceeded to battle into them back to front. Knee pads are not normally needed in an H2, but he must have been planning a new technique.

In Race 1 we all recognised that the left side would probably pay, so most proceeded to head right, except Ian (Wily Fox) Dawson who showed how it should be done. The only expletives heard from this cultured fleet came from Rich (Prodder) Le Mare who couldn't cope with the extreme acceleration in the building F2 breeze and nearly feel out the back. Stephen (Hugo Boss) Oliver (or is it Hughie Boss?) was still suffering from Asian Bird Flu and managed to block his bailers with last night carrots!

Frustrated Prodder nipped at Foxy's heels, but couldn't make it past and Steve (Shrimper) Hendon showed good form for third. Looking back the headband kept closing up (once Hikers had put his suit on the right way round). The Scottish mafia Michael (Alex) Alexander and Gavin (Albacore) Fleming were in the pack with Hugo and newby Adrian (Pevensey) Peckham close behind.

Races 2 and 3 were similar in the shifty N wind with Dave (Jackson Pollock) Barker nailing Race 2 and Foxy resuming service taking Race 3. Day 1 finished with Foxy leading followed by Jackson and Prodder second and third on equal points with Hikers and Alex a couple of points adrift. All to play for.

Warm sunshine enabled a few sherberts in the dinghy park (thanks Prodder) and the Wheatsheaf did us proud for dinner.

A similar light N wind on Sun was forecast to drop, so the great race team got us off on time. This time the left didn't initially pay and Albacore and Jackson spotted the opportunity and rounded first but as the race progressed Jackson managed to skillfully avoid every bit of pressure and dropped from a solid second to seventh (Pollocks!!).

Foxy showed the way again, Alex kept out of trouble to gain second and Albacore took a solid third. Hugo was feeling and sailing better and after some coaching Pevensey pulled a bit less kicker on and stayed with the pack. Prodder's new light wind performance continued to keep him in the top of the fleet.

Race 5 was Shrimper's opportunity to shine. He carefully planned a path up the beat (Yeah right!) and rounded miles ahead, holding it all the way. Alex sailed well for 2nd and Jackson had a great tussle to overtake Foxy and actually keep him behind.

In Race 6 a second hoot sent Foxy back through the startline and we all thought 'Ha - that's the last we'll see of him !'

Hikers sailed a port flyer and disappeared off the horizon (no Headband and Hiker's on the right way round) followed by Jackson with Prodder 1/2 a leg behind. Someone then turned the wind off on the run, then switched it on from behind so most of the fleet caught and passed the leaders (Pollocks!!).

Guess who took the result - you got it... Foxy Dawson. Great second place from Hugo with Prodder in third.

So Ian (Wily Fox) Dawson takes the H2 Inlands, Michael (Alex) Alexander takes second with Rich (Prodder) Le Mare on equal points for third.

Thanks to Grafham for a super event, and to the H2 attendees for great racing and company. Next event Chichester in two weeks time.

H2 Inland Championships at Grafham - photo © Dave Barker

Overall Results: