The first ever VX One Inland Championships were held at Ullswater Yacht Club on June 27 and 28. After eight close races, the winner was UYC member Howard Steavenson crewed by his son Tom. The final result was only decided on the last race with a first from Howard pipping Anne Noble and crew Katy Stewardson and Tom Giles into second place on count-back.
Organizer of the event David Clarke was delighted at the turnout of ten boats and racing conditions were ideal with good winds and sunshine on both days. In April last year, a VX One demo day was held at the club, the first time the boat had ever been sailed on Ullswater. Now the club has five and they were joined for the racing by five visitors including four from Scotland.
With a fresh breeze and the sun shining on Saturday, race officer Neil Thompson set a windward/leeward course, starting from the Sharrow Bay area round the corner from the clubhouse. The south westerley wind was ideal for a long windward leg down the lake with the magnificent backdrop of the peaks towards Helvellyn. The first race was won by visitor Duncan Hepplewhite from Loch Lomond SC, crewed by Richard Harper and Emily Styles. The next two races were won by Howard Steavenson, then a win in the fourth race by Anne Noble from UYC put her in contention.
Sunday brought rain, and stronger winds and four more races were scheduled. Anne Noble and her team won the first two races of the day, then it was back to Howard to come out top in the next race. So it was all to fight for in the final race of the event as the sun came out and after a black flag start, the Steavensons managed to edge out in front. Their first place put them on equal points with Anne Noble, and on countback, most firsts, they took the trophy and the title of first VX One inland champions.
The VX Ones were joined by racing keelboats talking part in UYC’s Keelboat Weekend for five of the windward/leeward races. A total of 13 boats took part – Flying Fifteens, Tempests, J70s and a K6.The overall winners were Dave and Sue Giles of UYC in a Flying Fifteen with two firsts and a second. One point behind in second place were Jon Modral-Gibbons and Colin Meadows in a Tempest with Christian Barnes and Denise Sykes in a Flying Fifteen third.
Overall Results: (top three)
VX One
1. Howard and Tom Steavenson, UYC, 15pts
2. Anne Noble, Katy Stewardson and Tom Giles, UYC 15pts
3. Duncan Hepplewhite, Richard Harper and Emily Styles, 20pts
Keelboat Weekend
1. Dave and Sue Giles, Flying Fifteen, UYC, 4pts
2. Jon Modral-Gibbons and Colin Meadows, Tempest, UYC, 5pts
3. Christian Barnes and Denise Sykes, Flying Fifteen, UYC, 9pts
Photo credit: Tim Olin