When the water is boiling use a wooden spoon stir the water spinning quickly, drop the egg into the eddie vortex, this will keep the egg together.
I've tried the 'vortex' ploy, and managed to get a perfectly circular poached egg. Sadly the circle was stuck around the pan sides, not in the middle!! <DOH>
What RPM was your whirlpool, if I may ask?
My normal method is to get the water boiling, then crack an egg into a ladle then gently pour in into the water.
Alternatively, empty the frying pan of water, dry it, add a little oil and fry itI boil the kettle, pour into a small frying pan on a low heat (steaming but not bubbling) and crack egg into water. No vinegar, just hot water about 3/4 inch deep. If you have a pan lid that fits the frying pan... they'll poach a bit quicker.