Hadron H2 National Championship at Brixham Yacht Club - Day 1
by Keith Callaghan 7 Sep 22:49 NZST
6-8 September 2024
Josh Hamer in cheerful mood as he launches 'Dirty Martini' during the Hadron H2 Nationals at Brixham © Keith Callaghan
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.
The hosts for the event are Brixham YC and the launch party very efficiently managed the 27 H2s and a similar number of K1s into the water. The racing got under way in a light northerly, and it was no surprise to see 2023 Inland Champion Ian Dawson (Warsash SC) take a commanding lead from 2024 Inland Champion Josh Hamer (Leigh & Lowton SC). Leading the pack was Steve Hendon (Blithfield SC) with current National Champion Robin Parsons (Deben YC) in fourth and Barry Wolfenden (Bough Beech SC) fifth.
Race 2 saw similar conditions and similar results but Josh managed to get ahead of Ian for a fine win, with Steve again taking a third. Steve is a relative newcomer to the H2 but is showing speed in all conditions despite being at the heavier end of the H2 spectrum. Barry finished in fourth, ahead of Robin.
The H2 is optimised for planing conditions and it can be challenging to get the boat through a chop in light winds but Ian and Josh have made an art of it, with others learning to emulate their performance. With more light weather forecast for the next two days all competitors will get plenty of practice at the art.
Results after Day 1:
| Pos | Bow No | Sail No | Boat Name | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 35 | 152 | A Whiter Shade of Pale | Ian Dawson | Warsash SC | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 2nd | 51 | 159 | Dirty Martini | Josh Hamer | Leigh and Lowton SC | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 3rd | 38 | 166 | H2 | Steve Hendon | Blithfield SC | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 4th | 37 | 142 | H2 | Barry Wolfenden | Bough Beach SC | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| 5th | 33 | 135 | Scaramouche | Robin Parsons | Deben YC | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| 6th | 53 | 177 | Hadron H2 | Chris Broiwn | Mill Creek SC | 9 | 6 | 15 |
| 7th | 48 | 122 | H2 | Ian Brooks | Chichester YC | 8 | 7 | 15 |
| 8th | 36 | 129 | H2 | Tim Garvin | Queen Mary SC | 6 | 10 | 16 |
| 9th | 44 | 145 | 145 | Richard Leftley | Bowmoor SC | 7 | 11 | 18 |
| 10th | 47 | 188 | A Few Shades of Grey | Robert Coyle | Royal Corinthian YC | 10 | 8 | 18 |
| 11th | 39 | 150 | H2 | Stephen Oliver | Warsash SC | 15 | 9 | 24 |
| 12th | 55 | 148 | Raspberry Ripple | Dave Barker | Draycotewater SC | 11 | 13 | 24 |
| 13th | 56 | 120 | Dave's Boat | Thomas Owen Moore | Stokes Bay SC | 13 | 14 | 27 |
| 14th | 49 | 184 | Lucky for some | Michael Alexander | Rutland SC | 12 | 16 | 28 |
| 15th | 31 | 172 | Sneaky | Simon Hipkin | Walton & Frinton YC | 14 | 15 | 29 |
| 16th | 52 | 156 | Alice | Richard Le Mare | Warsash SC | 18 | 12 | 30 |
| 17th | 41 | 146 | Hadron H2 | Andrew McGaw | Graham Water SC | 17 | 17 | 34 |
| 18th | 45 | 171 | Thunderthrust | James Oxley | Walton & Frinton YC | 16 | 19 | 35 |
| 19th | 30 | 103 | Ghost Ship | Geoff Parker | Walton & Frinton YC | 19 | 18 | 37 |
| 20th | 32 | 162 | Here's Tae Us! | Nick Wapshot | RSWSC | 20 | 20 | 40 |
| 21st | 43 | 105 | Venturer | Domonic Jacobs | Walton & Frinton YC | 21 | 22 | 43 |
| 22nd | 46 | 181 | Death and Gravity | Tim Brooke | Walton & Frinton YC | 22 | 24 | 46 |
| 23rd | 50 | 169 | Hadron H2 | Alasdair Hood | Royal Tay YC | 23 | 23 | 46 |
| 24th | 54 | 117 | Rhino | Paul Tuttle | Brixham YC | 26 | 21 | 47 |
| 25th | 34 | 102 | TPO | Ian Little | Thorpe Bay YC | 24 | 25 | 49 |
| 26th | 40 | 190 | H2 | William McTurk | Royal Findhom YC | 25 | 27 | 52 |
| 27th | 42 | 113 | 113 | Neil Smythe | Paignton SC | 27 | 26 | 53 |
