VX One Class Association

Fleet One Championship



Fleet One capped off its yearlong eight-regatta circuit with the first annual Fleet One Championship regatta. Seven boats from the Northern Gulf Coast and Texas made the trip to Pass Christian Yacht Club located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Saturday greeted the sailors with temps in the 40’s and a light and shifty easterly breeze that led to many lead changes across the race course. Despite the variable conditions, PCYC’s Sailing Director Zeke Fairbanks and team did a great job, hammering out five races.

Racing was extremely tight with many crowded mark roundings and close finishes, but the day belonged to USA 148 (Kevin Northrop/Judd Chamberlain) at 7 points and Team Animal (Jeff Jones/Rod Vela) at 11 points.

Forecasts for Sunday called for a solid 15+ southeasterly, but unfortunately the frontal breeze never materialized. The race committee wisely postponed the scheduled 10:25 a.m. warning gun, allowing several sailors to recover from the “southern hospitality” and still make the sixth race.

Race six started in a 5kt easterly that lasted long enough for Team Smuggler (Donnie Brennan/Tim Pitts) to take the victory in yet another close race. With the breeze dying to zero, the RC called it a day giving the Fleet One Championship to USA 148 followed by Animal in 2nd place and Team Smuggler — whose victory in the last race allowed them to win a tie break over Chris Alexander’s 124 — in third place.

Many thanks to PCYC’s Sailing Director Zeke Fairbanks, Manager Clark Brennan, and Cathy Rayburn for the warm hospitality and delicious breakfast and lunch on Sunday.