Cowes Race Week 2014

[Q Ball]

Congratulations to the VX teams finishing 1,2 and 4 in the sportsboat class at Cowes Race Week.  A Viper came 3rd and a modified 1720 was 5th.  Would be great to hear some first hand reports from anyone there!

Link to overall results here:
http://www.aamcowesweek.co.uk/web/code/php/main_c.php?map=cw14&style=std&ui=cw1&override=&section=racing&page=points2014&resultrequest=440&submit=

A bit of a recap from Day 5 here:
http://www.cowes.co.uk/Cowes-Week-2014-Day-5-Round-up.aspx
<snip>White Group
White Group dayboats starting on the Royal Yacht Squadron line headed to the east, with a following wind for their first leg today. The healthy fleet of 22 Sportsboats racing under IRC has seen two of the smallest boats – Glyn Locke's Viper 640 Fer de Lance and Chris Turner's VX One Zhik – dominating the top of the rankings. Today both were again at the head of the fleet at the start, with Locke closest to the outer distance mark and immediately hoisting his asymmetric spinnaker. However, it Turner got his kite set first and his ultra-light boat accelerated rapidly to double-digit speeds and a significant early lead.

The VX One's clearly revelled in today's stronger breezes, with the three boats taking all the podium places on corrected time. Howard Steavenson's Abracadabra finished 40 seconds ahead of Turner to take first. Although Locke was third across the line a little over three minutes later, Nathan Batchelor's lower-rated Grapefruit Graphics gained an 11-second advantage on corrected time to take third place..</snip>


A bit if a recap from Day 8 here:
http://www.cowes.co.uk/Cowes-Week-2014-Daily-Round-up-Day-8.aspx
<snip> In the Sportsboat class, three boats were vying almost neck and neck for the lead going into the final day. Glyn Locke's Viper 640 Fer de Lance and Chris Turner's VX One Zhik were again the first boats off the start line, with Locke setting his spinnaker first. When Turner threw in an early gybe to head offshore, Locke followed to cover him. However, it was the three VX Ones that triumphed in today's breezy conditions, with their ultra-light weight helping them power to impressive downwind speeds. This leaves Nathan Batchelor's Grapefruit Graphics heading the leaderboard on 11 points, with Turner second on 12 points and Locke third overall on 14 points.</snip>

[Nathan Batchelor]

We had a great time racing at Cowes - I was on Grapefruit Graphics for the week. Our IRC rating seems pretty competitive which is good to see. The VX's managed to finish 1,2,3 on the water in a few races as well. Generally windier races were better for us. Compared the well sailed Viper that was racing, we were marginally slower upwind at times, quicker downwind and quicker reaching.

Here is a link to the report on Yachts & Yachting website http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/178350/VX-Ones-lead-the-way

It was my first time racing in Cowes Week and what a spectacle. Reputedly around 800 boats and 5000 sailors. HUge shoreside undertaking - 3 live music stages going from 1200 to 0200, dozens of food stalls and plenty of bars/ cafe's/ restaraunts.

[Nathan Batchelor]

We're including Cowes Week in our 2015 UK VX One class circuit. Howard Steavenson and myself are looking to compete again with a couple of new and existing owners keen on joining in. There will be charter boats available to UK and overseas sailors if anyone else fancies joining in on the fun...



Photo - LPB Aerial Imagery

Early bird entry is now open http://www.aamcowesweek.co.uk/web/code/php/main_c.php?section=home