Vortex National Championships at Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club
by Vortex Class Association 18 Jul 2018 16:32 BST
14-15 July 2018
The weather was perfect, a force 2-3, from the west and hot and sunny. The visitors from Scotland and London joined the local fleets to give 10 boats on the start line.
Jonathan Lister dominated race 1 from start to finish, Phil Whitehead leading the rest of the fleet until the last lap when he succumbed to cramp letting Angus Winchester and Neil Spink through.
John Turley and Jonathan Lister had a significant lead at the first windward mark of race 2 only to "slip on a snake" as a big gust from behind pushed the rest of the fleet over them on the downwind leg. Phil Whitehead, Neil Spink and Jonathan Carter pulled away and led for most of the race until JL found a useful last downwind "ladder" with extra pressure on the left, which hadn't paid before, just squeezing ahead at the last mark.
Jonathan Carter led from the start of race 3 with Phil Whitehead and Mick Collins in contention and the rest of the fleet some distance behind. Jonathan Lister slowly recovered from a shocking start and spinnaker halyard tangle but again left it until the last downwind leg and another left hand side "ladder" to sneak in front of JC, with Mick Collins just pipping Phil.
Overnight JL had a comfortable lead with three bullets but there were three boats in equal second place with all to play for tomorrow.
The fleet joined the Blaze sailors for an Indian takeaway, enjoying a beer in the hot tub overlooking the magnificent scenery of Yorkshire dales
Neil Spink won the start and together with Jonathan Carter they dominated race 4, enjoying a wind shift that made the course a follow-the-leader with limited tactical opportunities for catching up until the last lap when the wind swung back giving JL the chance to close the gap on the leaders. Neil held his lead for a well deserved win but JC just lost out to JL in a tacking battle to the line. The Scottish contingent and clubmates Angus Winchester and Steve Cochrane battled it out for fourth and fifth. Phil had bad luck with a broken halyard so had to sit this one out.
Jonathan Lister and Neil Spink made the early running in stronger wind for race 5, this time it was Mick Collins on a last lap charge - he passed Neil who was having spinnaker dropping issues but couldn't quite catch JL before the finish.
The wind swung left and picked up another notch for the last race. Phil stormed off the line with Neil Spink in hot pursuit. Whilst JL didn't need to sail the last race it was such a lovely day it would have been a crime not to; he made yet another shocking start, late and at the wrong end of the line, flipped onto port picked up a nice lift and judged the layline to the new windward mark to perfection, taking the lead as half the fleet overstood going to the wrong mark.
The battle for the minor places played out behind with Neil cementing second, Phil third, whilst JC was struggling for power in the stronger wind with a broken spreader.
A very enjoyable weekend, with a deserved winner showing unattainable speed (must be all that skiff sailing!). A big thanks to Terry Pressdee and crew for good race management and of course the legendary galley food and facilities. Next venue is Rutland for the Inland Championships on 22-23 September.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Sail No | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Lister | 1164 | YDSC | 1 | 1 | 1 | ‑2 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 2 | Neil Spink | 1048 | YDSC | 3 | 3 | ‑6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 12 |
| 3 | Phil Whitehead | 1218 | YDSC | 4 | 2 | 4 | (DNF) | 4 | 3 | 17 |
| 4 | Jonathan Carter | 2014 | Rickmansworth SC | ‑8 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 19 |
| 5 | Angus Winchester | 1181 | Castle Semple SC | 2 | ‑6 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 21 |
| 6 | Mick Collins | 1117 | YDSC | 5 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 2 | ‑10 | 22 |
| 7 | John Turley | 1160 | YDSC | 6 | 7 | 7 | ‑8 | 7 | 7 | 34 |
| 8 | Steve Cochgrave | 1084 | Castle Semple SC | 9 | 8 | 9 | 5 | ‑10 | 6 | 37 |
| 9 | Ed Corteen | 2016 | Pennine SC | 7 | ‑9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 42 |
| 10 | David Smith | 1041 | YDSC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 6 | 8 | 8 | 46 |
| 11 | William Jones | 1219 | YDSC | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | (DNC) | DNC | 52 |