The 2023 Vortex National Championship
Report
From Yorkshire Dales SC
Nine sailors from as far as Scotland and London descended on Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club for the National Championships.
Race 1 started in a light 10 knot westerly. Jonathan Lister, Phil Whitehead and Angus Winchester all picked different routes but arrived at the top mark together. Phil's spinni halyard came undone on the run necessitating a pit stop and an early discard. Mick Collins found a band of pressure to pass Angus on the next downwind leg and held second place to the finish behind Jonathan.
A good close start in race 2 with fairly even pressure across the course but Phil stayed hard left and worked the bend around the shore to pop out in the lead at the first mark. Jonathan Lister took the lead downwind with Phil holding second and Angus third at the finish.
The wind went left for race three. Phil and Jonathan port tacked the fleet; Phil just squeezed in front of a line of 14 Contenders, Jonathan didn't and dropped to the back of the fleet. Downwind Angus and Mick passed Phil, only for Phil to find a fabulous lift from the left on the next beat to re-take the lead. Surely this would be Phil's victory? Jonathan gybed off early on the last downwind taking the lead whilst Mick passed Angus for third.
We all retired to the clubhouse and hot tubs with a beer courtesy of the class association. The meal provided by our caterers Karen and Dave was outstanding and an opportunity to catch up on old times and a quick AGM . Definitely the class to join with free entry, free meals , beer sponsored by Nick Fleming’s Ovenstone microbrewery in Anstruther and a hot tub to provide some well deserved relaxation after 3 races and 4 hours on the water.
Early Sunday morning was cold and damp with a low cloud base and a fresh North Easterly blowing at 20 knots. Phil and Angus the strong wind specialists romped up the first beat. Phil should have led but misjudged his final tack to the mark and was just below the lay-line. Angus found a hole downwind letting Jonathan through, but he managed to capsize on the final gybe (hint - release the kicker downwind in a blow!). Angus kept cool and led for the rest of the race. Jonathan chased hard and recovered from last place after the capsize to second - assisted by Phil capsizing on a tack (hint - release the main sheet when tacking in breeze!). However there was a question mark over whether Jonathan had missed the gate on one lap so he retired letting Mick take second and a very well deserved 3rd and fourth places to newcomers Andy Spencer and Nick Fleming.
The wind eased for race 5, Andy port tacked the fleet and was looking good but Angus found a nice shift on the left. Jonathan found the right shifts on the first downwind leg and held the lead with Mick second and Angus third. Luigi Guarda had travelled all the way from Santa Croce Italy to collect a boat scored a creditable 5th having never sailed a Vortex before this weekend.
A great weekend sailing and socialising. A great result for Jonathan Lister our new National Champ below.
A fleet of nine keen Vortex sailors, from as far as London and Glasgow, arrived on Saturday at Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club to a mirror-like reservoir. Not the usual for Grimwith! We democratically elected to pass on racing and watched the Blazes have a drift race whilst relaxing in the hot tubs hired for the weekend.
The annual curry was accompanied by suitable refreshments and a group even decided to walk around the 4 1/2 mile reservoir to work it off.
Sunday morning arrived with a good force 2, and the first of the 4 races saw Neil (I only sail once a year) Spink sailing into the lead not to be challenged. Jonathan Lister (I only sail twice a year) came in second with Angus Winchester following close.
The wind increased and we had a force 3 (fabulous trapeezing conditions) for the next 3 races.
The second race showed that Jonathan Lister was back to last years form, with Phil Whitehead forgetting how to sail and tripping over his spinnaker sheets, by taking a win from Phil. Neil was third with John Turley (I've just bought this boat) third.
Phil Whitehead realising he had just bought a new sail (a rare event) decided he had better put it to good use and romped away in a freshening breeze. Mick Collins was also on great form showing good speed coming a creditable second.
The last race was won by Mick Collins (my first open race win!) with Phil coming second, followed by Neil Spink. Racing was very close all day having 4 different race winners.
So Phil Whitehead was the Northern Champion, who put it down the new sail! Many thanks to Mike Saul for the 2 days race officering with great turn around with the Blaze fleet... and supplying the new sail!
The fleet moves to Rutland for the Nationals on 26-27 October.
Overall Results:
1st Phil Whitehead (Yorkshire Dales SC) 5pts
2nd Jonathan Lister (Yorkshire Dales SC) 7pts
3rd Neil Spink (Yorkshire Dales SC) 7pts
4th Mick Collins (Yorkshire Dales SC) 8pts
5th John Turley (Yorkshire Dales SC) 12pts
6th Angus Winchester (Castle Semple SC) 14pts
7th Jonathan Carter (Rickmansworth SC) 17pts
8th Steve Cochrane (Castle Semple SC) 23pts
9th Ed Corteen (Pennine SC) 24pts
Vortex Scottish Championships 2019 May 18th /19th
Four boats, with Jonathan Carter again making the long journey from London, arrived in Largs for the fourth year in succession for the first of the 2019 Vortex meetings. Late call offs for various reasons halved the expected attendance.
Three of the competitors enjoyed a late afternoon sail on Friday in moderate easterly wind conditions which proved to be the strongest breeze of the weekend.
Saturday brought generally light non-trapezing conditions from the north, elevated breeze in race three however provided some stop/start trapezing conditions. Four races were completed and all were taken by Jonathan, some by a good margin. Rounding the windward mark required care in the ebb tide and one rounding when the wind died resulted in two boats taking several tacks to round together with several Musto’s, putting them some way behind.
Sunday started with no wind, but with the promise of a forecast westerly light breeze. Racing was postponed for an hour, then light zephyrs began to show themselves and eventually filled in to a steady force 1-2 from the south.
Closer racing resulted in Jonathan failing to be first at the windward mark on several occasions, however superior down wind speed resulted in him taking all races at the finish. Falling wind resulted in the fleet being sent to shore after race seven due to start time limits. Congratulations to Jonathon Carter 2019 Scottish Champion with seven bullets, taking the title from the absent Phil Whitehead, champion the previous three years.
Thanks to all at Largs SC for achieving seven races in the variable conditions and the Saturday evening clubhouse curry and complimentary shot of whiskey.
The next meeting will be at Yorkshire Dales SC – 13th / 14th July.
|
SailNo |
Club |
HelmName |
R1 |
R2 |
R3 |
R4 |
R5 |
R6 |
R7 |
Total |
Nett |
|
2014 |
Rickmansworth SC |
Jonathan Carter |
(1.0) |
1.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
7.0 |
6.0 |
|
1181 |
Castle Semple SC |
Angus Winchester |
3.0 |
2.0 |
3.0 |
(4.0) |
2.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
18.0 |
14.0 |
|
1175 |
Annandale SC |
Alec Glendinning |
2.0 |
(4.0) |
2.0 |
2.0 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
4.0 |
20.0 |
16.0 |
|
2016 |
Pennine SC |
Edwyn Corteen |
(4.0) |
3.0 |
4.0 |
3.0 |
4.0 |
4.0 |
3.0 |
25.0 |
21.0 |
Vortex Inland Championships at Rutland Sailing Club
by Vortex Class Association 26 Sep 16:33 BST 15-16 September 2018
Because of the hurricane forecast a slightly reduced number of vortexes, from Scotland, Yorkshire and London attended the Inland Championships at Rutland SC. As it turned out we had great racing in force 2-4 with blue sky and warm temperatures.
Racing was tight throughout the weekend, but Saturday belonged to Phil Whitehead with two bullets and a second, close to a very quick Alec Glendinning in the last race. Jonathan Carter was always a threat with two seconds and a third in the last race.
The fleet retired to the Wheatsheaf for a welcomed evening meal, subsidised by the class association, when the AGM was conducted between courses.
Sunday's wind built through out the day. The lighter weather suited Jonathan and he pipped Phil for the win of the first race. The increasing wind in the second race suited Phil who won form Angus who was starting to get his mojo back. Mick Collins had always good speed upwind, just needs to get to grips with the tactics, especially near the finish.
Phil eventually realised he had the win secured and following a bout of cramp (its a age thing!) decided to go for an early bath, leaving the last race for Alec to win by a good leg. Angus followed in second place Only one point separated second, third and fourth.
Great race management by the new PRO and team, we never have experienced such quick turnarounds (barely time to eat the chocolate!). Great racing from a great club and very enjoyable weekend.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1218 | Phil Whitehead | Yorkshire Dales SC | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | (DNC) | 7 |
| 2nd | 2014 | Jonathan Carter | Rickmansworth SC | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | ‑5 | 4 | 12 |
| 3rd | 1181 | Angus Winchester | Castle Temple SC | 3 | 3 | ‑5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 13 |
| 4th | 1175 | Alec Glendinning | Alandale SC | 4 | 4 | 1 | ‑5 | 4 | 1 | 14 |
| 5th | 1117 | Mike Collins | Yorkshire Dales SC | ‑5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 19 |
The 2025 Vortex Nationals are planned for Sat 10th and Sunday
11th May at Yorkshire dales SC.
It will be a joint open meeting with the Contender class.
Vortex sailors will be sponsored by the association and receive
the same benefits as this year. Put the date in your diary and
we hope to see you there. (watch this space and facebook for further information)
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.