VX One Class Association

Winter Series Conclusion



14 VX Ones joined into the Sarasota Sailing Squadron One Design Midwinter Regatta. They enjoyed three beautiful days of sailing on Sarasota Bay, sharing a course with MC Scows on Friday and E Scows on Saturday and Sunday. Race Committee did a great job getting the maximum 11 races. Friday was a bit light with 5-8 knots on the course with lighter teams doing very well. The fleet had a big family contingent at this regatta including quite a few parent/child teams and a few spouses sailing together as well. Everyone raced hard all afternoon, finishing around 5 pm, and then the group opted to meet at the Daiquiri Deck for a casual dinner on St. Armands Circle. Saturday brought more breeze than forecasted. Starting out in the same light air, the VX Ones had three races as whitecaps just started to form. The fleet was all tight with some complex mark roundings and passing going on. The fleet was actually pretty close, though it may not have always felt like it. Not much time was spent waiting at the finish. The Bennetts, Jeff Eiber and his crew Lance, and Michael and Anthony Norris were always at the front of the fleet with some local talent using 106. Oklahoma fleet representatives Scott Holmgren and Justin Scott were sailing light but hiking hard and were in the front as well. Paul Currie with Rob Britts and guest sailing three-up along with Joe Ferra and Tim Pitts put in some great races. Notable was Paulo Milko and David Hillmyer always in the game and up front. Gabi Scillinger making her debut sailing with the Walfords and having a great time. Mark Witte brought his returning crew Meghan along with a new crew member. New owners Bob Bilthouse and Don Winston made their boats go well. Gabi once again set everyone up with scheduling information and got lunch, snacks and even beer for the fleet. This was the fourth and final regatta in the VX One Winter Series. Sarasota Sailing Squadron has been a great base of operations for the fleet, and manager Craig Bridges went the extra mile every time. The PRO for three of the regattas, Jonathan Histed, is really dialed in on what it takes to keep it going for the VX Ones on the water. The winners of this regatta were the Bennetts, Jeff Eiber in second and the Norris family third. The Winter Series was won by the Norris family. There was great competition throughout the fleet and more importantly, everyone left with good memories of a great weekend of sailing together. Complete results are available at http://www.regattanetwork.com/event/9368#_newsroom+results.