Vortex Scottish Championship at Largs Sailing Club

Vortex Scottish Championship at Largs © Marc Turner / www.pfmpictures.co.uk

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 wiring 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.

Overall Results: