Above photo shows Vortex Open at YDSCJuly at Yorkshire Dales SC
The 2024 Vortex National Championship
At Yorkshire Dales SC
24/25 August 2024
All Vortex sailors were invited to attend this years National Championships at Yorkshire dales Sailing club on the Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August 2024.
Enrty Fees and food were paid by the class association and there was free camping on site and hot tubs to relax in after a good day of racing. We all enjoyed the fabulous Yorkshire dales open water, views and facilities.
The Results of this years National Championship are listed below.
Angus Winchester was the clear undisputed winner and is a worthy National champion. Mixed weather conditions proved to be very challenging for most competitors, with everyone except Angus, capsizing on at least one occasion over the course of the six races. The wind was predicted to be 15-17 mph gusting 30mph. it proved to be slightly stronger and would have been perfect without the gusts.
In the first race Angus set the standard taking first place, which he went on to consolidate throughout the competition.
Mark Henderson took 1st place in the 2nd race and this was only his 2nd year of Vortex open meetings.
Another new face at the nationals was Lester Warwick who completed 5 races and came 3rd in two of those.
Ed Corteen did well in the first race coming 3rd, but found the increased wind and gusts too much to handle and retired.
Similarly Nick Fleming capsized more than once and did not finish in a race; but he enjoyed the event and the banter of fellow competitors.
Relaxing in the hot tub with a cool beer was very welcome after the fisrt 3 races on Saturday. In the evening we had an excellent Indian meal and a few more beers.
Sunday morning started with slightly less wind and gusts in the first race, but it became more challenging for the 5th and 6th races.
Jonathan Carter was the closest to Angus in results, with 2 seconds and a third place, but he had to retire due to damage on his boat.
Sailors had to judge the risk of deploying the spinaker on the down wind legs of race 5 and 6, as the wind and gust had increased along with the waves which were much higher toward the leeward mark; this made it challenging to move forward and recover the kite.
Mick Collins looked like he might get a 1st in race 6 having lead the race up to rounding the final leeward mark. Angus was in close pursuit and tacked soon after the final mark, taking a shorter route to the finish line. He took the lead by a boat length in front of Mick, giving Angus 5 first places and the National championship.
Well done Angus!!
Many Thanks to race officer Phil Whitehead and the team of YDSC safety boat crews who were kept quite busy over the weekend. A fabulous venue with first class facilities, set in a spectacular landscape. If you have a Vortex come and give it a go next year; you won't be disappointed.
Brilliant sunshine at the Vortex nationals YDSC. Photo shows Angus having rounded the windward mark just coming in off the trapeze, ready for the downwind leg.
