Hadron H2 open meeting at Shoreham Sailing Club

Richard Leftley wins the 'Fire and Rain' trophy - Hadron H2 open meeting at Shoreham © Keith Callaghan

This highly anticipated two-day sea event was shortened to a single day due to an appalling forecast for the Saturday. Highest wind speed recorded on that day was 55 knots, so it was a good call.

The forecast for Sunday was much better - winds below 30 knots! However, the English Channel does not calm down in 20 hours and there was a big sea running. The race team decided that the Shoreham Harbour entrance was navigable so it was game on.

Your reporter could only view the racing from the shore, so I asked some of the competitors to give their own reports on the racing:

Richard Leftley - the winner

As the day started, I am going to admit that inside I was almost hoping that the RO would call it off. I just was not feeling it, perhaps tiredness from a week travelling but I was not loving the idea of racing. The club "green" was very calm and protected but the flags on the coastguard and RNLI stations that were visible told another story!

I convinced myself to give it a go but it was not until halfway through the first race that my attitude changed and I remembered why I love sailing the H2 in those conditions and suddenly it was game on.

Race 1 was a bit of a blur: felt like Rich Le Mare had the pace on me upwind but I was able to pull him back in a little downwind, especially if I pushed the limits. One bad tack and I was able to get past him on the last lap and hold him off for the win. Credit also to Tim Blackmore and Paul Walker, who were very much in the mix.

Paul Walker finished in a creditable fifth place - Hadron H2 open meeting at Shoreham - photo © Keith Callaghan

I was mighty relieved that my suggestion that we hold four races had been ignored and I headed back toward the club with a long reach out to sea for one last rip at those waves!

Richard Le Mare - second

What an event! Waves long and surfable in race 1; Race 2 wind eased a little: Race 3 wind and waves stepped up a notch - over 3 metres tall at times, with the entire fleet except Adrian (Peckham) swimming on the run.

Race 1 was very close between Rich and I had one bad tack on the second lap meant Rich passed me which he held to the end with Tim (Blackmore) a close 3rd... in those conditions to be that close between us all is amazing

Race 2: managed a decent start... not as good as Adrian... reached down the line and came out the front fast... made me focus and push hard... got to the front and was never challenged.

Race 3 was a bit mad. Several had decided they had had enough. Gavin (Fleming) got a great start and found the upwind groove in the waves so it was windward mark Rich Leftley first then Gavin then Adrian then me. On the first tight reach we could tell the waves had changed.. I had one break over the top of me!!

Onto the run and half way down Gavin went first then a little further Leftley rolled in... I focused and made the gybe - half a second of relief and daze from a thwack by the boom... but in those waves half of a second will trip you up.

Rich and Gavin righted quickly and finished 1 2.. great racing.. turned around fast and safety boats always close with a watching guard.

Richard Le Mare in RYA Dinghy Show concours winner Midas - Hadron H2 open meeting at Shoreham - photo © Keith Callaghan

Chris Brown - sixth

Racing wisely cancelled on Saturday; sea state of biblical proportions! H2 social club nonetheless met up for an excellent curry at the clubhouse.

Touch and go for Sunday, with SW 27kn gusts reported locally, but (crucially) a flood tide. Eventually all systems go and three trapezoids well run.

Race 1 - the windiest, I think. The top mark bear away was unforgettable - terminal velocity achieved immediately! Fortunately, I was using the H2 small sail and gybing was an absolute cinch. Passed Gavin (Fleming) on the run after he stacked it in on a gybe. (He got me back on the upwind leg).

Race 2 - wind lower, felt underpowered with the ladies mainsail.

Race 3 - God knows what happened to the water but it became a horrific mess. I remember looking around at one point and seeing two masts only, the boats being completely hidden by the waves! Two large waves from 90 degrees differing directions combined and broke on top of me near the top mark and knocked me off the boat, mega capsize, inversion, then return capsize.

I decided to surrender (bad decision) and go in as I was worried about keeping the rescue team occupied.

The surf back into harbour was rather memorable too. Definitely a unique day, I am still slightly swaying in the chair writing this!

What a day! And it could only have taken place with the excellent race management that the club provided. Race officer Tyler Harmsworth and his team on the committee boat did a brilliant job in setting superb quadrilateral courses which played to the strengths of the H2, all the while giving close support from the well managed safety boats. The Hadron H2 class hope to visit the club again next year.

The event is part of the H2 Travellers Trophy series. Richard Leftley's win puts him in first place after 4 events, with Tim Garvin in second place and Gavin Fleming third.

Tim Garvin going downhill - Hadron H2 open meeting at Shoreham - photo © Richard Harris

Overall Results:

Tired but happy - Hadron H2 open meeting at Shoreham - photo © Keith Callaghan