GERBER Vortex Grand Prix at Weston Sailing Club

Phil Whitehead wins the GERBER Vortex Southern Championships © Colin Bennett

Prizewinners at the GERBER Vortex Southern Championships © Vortex Class

Despite a dire forecast of Zero wind a reasonable turnout of 15 boats contested the GERBER Vortex Southern Championship.

The forecast turned out right for Saturday as the fleet was held on shore for a couple of hours until a light breeze allowed racing to start. Phil Whitehead was first off the blocks and was never headed, Jonathan Lister kept Keith Escritt at bay for a lap and Draycotes Roger Pratt and Dave Hotten as well as Richard Vie from Weston chased these three Grimwith Boats home.

Race two was similar except Whitehead port tacked the fleet but into an adverse flow and so was only 5th early on. Escritt won from Lister. Whitehead recovered to 3rd Followed by Hotten and Ralph Drew from Weston.

The GERBER sponsored meal and free wine led to a storming barn dance that night which exercised a number of the fleet - thanks to the Nat2s’ and home club for providing the talent! Whitehead was noticeably ‘resting’ himself – was the forecast for wind on Sunday right?

Yes it was – a good force 4 was blowing for race three. A refreshed Whitehead cracked a good start next to Lister - and then hit something shearing his rudder fittings off leaving Lister in the lead. Lister blew his tack, so Vie led at the first mark followed by a very speedy ‘Gerber Red’ Simon Crowther and Escritt. As the wind and chop increased, Escritt made least mistakes to win with Jon Dykes from Teignmouth storming round in 4th. The OOD then called a temporary halt to racing to reset the course and reinforce his meager rescue fleet. This allowed Whitehead to borrow a boat from Martin Moody who’d had a bang on the head.

Race four was held in a F4-5 with stronger gusts. After a lap, Vie and Lister led from Whitehead and Escritt. Phil’s speed up the second beat was blistering and he lead by a distance to the finish. Vie held second from Escritt with Lister 4th.

Race 5 and either Escritt or Whitehead could still win. Escritt crossed Whitehead and tacked – both still needing to tack for the windward mark. Whitehead went, forcing Escritt to tack under him but when neither made the mark, Phil came out smelling of roses in first as Escritt was relegated to 7th. Whitehead was never likely to be caught after that and as Escritt struggled past Peter Wilby (Bexhill), Ian Michael (Chichester), Crowther and Vie, Lister and Whitehead sailed away to first and second.

This gave Whitehead his second win on the trot; Escritt was second, Lister third and Vie Fourth. Dave Hotten improved to 5thand newcomer Dykes was 6th. A Special mention for Peter Wilby in 7th – his best result yet and well deserved, and Roger Pratt’ 8th may yet improve if his ‘missing’ last race result is reinstated.

Thanks Weston – third windy open running (must be something in the water) . Thanks GERBER – the best sponsors in sailing and see you all at Queen Mary on 8th / 9th November.

Overall Results: