Harken Hadron H2 National Championships 2025 at Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy - Overall

The start of race 6 during the Harken Hadron H2 Nationals at the WPNSA © David Henshall

The three races of day 3 of the H2 nationals was sailed in a brisk 12-16 knot south-westerly breeze and brilliant sunshine.

Richard Le Mare led the fleet for the first lap of race 6 but his two closest rivals closed him down by lap 2 and Richard Leftley passed him on the next run, to win by 3 boat lengths. Gavin Fleming was close behind in third, with Mark Tucker in fourth place.

Richard Leftley leads Richard Le Mare and Gavin Fleming in race 6 during the Harken Hadron H2 Nationals at the WPNSA - photo © David Henshall

Having never been lower than fourth in any race, Gavin Fleming finally managed a win in race 7, but, crucially, Richard Leftley finished in second place, ahead of his main rival.

In the last race, Richard Leftley confirmed his place as 2025 national champion with another win from Richard Le Mare, with Gavin Fleming in third.

Champion Richard Leftley holding the Harold Smith National Championship Trophy with runner-up Richard Le Mare at the Harken Hadron H2 Nationals at the WPNSA - photo © David Henshall

Tim Garvin secured sailed consistently to finish fourth overall - a great achievement in a borrowed boat.

Thus ended a spectacular day of fast racing in perfect conditions at WPNSA.

The contestants line up after the racing at the Harken Hadron H2 Nationals at the WPNSA - photo © David Henshall

Thanks go to Chris Brown for organising the sailing and the social events from the H2 Class Association side and thanks to the many staff and volunteers at WPNSA for providing us with great event under sometimes trying conditions. Special mention goes to the genial Richard Bowers (event coordinator) and PRO Paul Kimmens but more than 25 people were engaged supporting us on the water - thank you all, and I hope you enjoyed the spectacle of H2's racing.

And grateful thanks to our sponsors, Harken, who provided us with some excellent prizes. At the prize-giving there was a special presentation to Ian Dawson of 3 of Harken's new Zircon low friction mainsheet blocks. Ian is a light weather specialist, with 3 second places and a third at the H2 nationals in recent years. These blocks will give him even more of an edge!

Richard Leftley also won the Heavyweights Trophy. Martin Orton (8th overall) won the Lightweights Trophy. The Masters Trophy went to Gavin Fleming (3rd overall). The grand Masters Trophy was won by Steven Hendon (7th overall) and the Ulysses trophy (for the first helm over 70) was won by Ian Dawson (10th overall).

Thus another great H2 championship ends. It was so close between the two Richards - Richard Leftley finished only 3 metres ahead of Richard Le Mare in two races and the final difference was just one point.

Overall Results: