The VX One Class started to show off its strength and future potential this past weekend with two regional events on the same weekend, each drawing great turnouts with amazing sailing. Thank you to Tim Pitts for the following report: I want to share the great experience I had this weekend in the Gulf Coast Championship at Buccaneer Yacht Club. I got the invite to come sail with Fleet 1 by Fleet Captain Donnie Brennan. I had a great time with the whole fleet, and we had 10 boats registered. The regatta was a two-day event, however the boats arriving on Friday afternoon were welcomed by the commodore & local fleet members, offering to help or even stand in as crew if needed. Once on the water, we had a six-boat tuning session for about an hour. After getting off the water, we had a welcoming/skippers meeting at the club. The first race was at 11:30 on Saturday, but you wouldn’t have known that by looking at the dock, as it was nearly empty at 10:30. Everyone was eager to get out and sail in the building northerly. The racing was epic in the four races on Saturday, each having a different winner and lead changes every leg. The best part was it was just clean tight racing. I did not hear one sailor raise their voice, maybe with exception of when I ripped my pants during the last race, but that’s a “whole ‘nother story.” Once on shore, the fleet was treated to an amazing meal that cost $10. Sunday racing was just as tight, and the race committee was able to get two great races off in a dying breeze.
My biggest takeaways:
• All boats seem to be equally quick, being brand new or three years old
• You can be fast with 2 or 3 people
• Top three boats all used different sailmakers
• No one is really off the pace
• Everyone is excited about the Winter Series (20 plus boats for Sarasota + 30 likely for Bacardi)
By the numbers:
• 10 boats registered
• 6 races sailed
• 4 different race winners
• 3 won by crews sailing 3 up
• 3 won by double-handers
• 2 husband and wife teams
• 1 point decided the winner – (we lost)
• 0 complaints about the regatta
