Vortex Midlands/Welsh Grand Prix at Bala Sailing Club
by Phil Whitehead 6 Apr 2010 21:44 BST
3-4 April 2010
Vortex Midlands / Welsh Grand Prix during the Bala Easter Regatta © BSC
Bala SC, as part of the Easter Regatta, greeted a smaller than normal fleet of Asymmetric and Standard Vortexes, probably as a result of the previous snow forcast, with sunshine but not a lot of wind.
The first race was a non trapeze affair with Phil Whitehead from Yorkshire Dales starting as he meant to go on with taking the win from Jim Trice from Calshot and Angus Winchester all the way from Castle Semple near Glasgow. Dan Partington from the home club led the standard fleet, often proving that it can be faster going straight to the leeward mark without a kite!
The second race was cancelled due to non existent wind and so the fleet had a leisurely afternoon and retired to the local Pizzera.
Four races were scheduled for Sunday, with sunshine and a perfect, albeit inconsistent, force 3-4 breeze. Phil Whitehead romped into the lead and despite an early pre-season capsize managed to take the lead back from Angus who took advantage of the situation. Simon Raglione-Hall from Grafham took third place in race 3 from Angus who was consistently second. Alec Glendinning, in his first outing in the standard fleet, followed Dan in all 5 races.
The next Grand Prix event is is on 8-9 May and moves to Yorkshire Dales S C, who this year are holding their first National Championships from their newly built clubhouse.
Overall Results:
Asymmetric Fleet
1. Phil Whitehead (Yorkshire Dales)
2. Angus Winchester (Castle Semple)
3. Ed Corteen (Pennine)
4. Jim Trice (Calshot)
5. Simon Raglione-Hall (Grafham)
Standard Fleet
1. Dan Partington (Bala)
2. Alec Glendinning (Brampton)