The second stop of the VX One Winter Series and the 2020 Midwinter Championship was hosted by Sarasota Sailing Squadron this past weekend in sunny Florida. With 36 boats on the starting line, the second stop of the winter series was the largest yet, and showed competitive racing in challenging conditions.
On Saturday, Sarasota Bay put the fleet to work as a 14kt easterly stuck around long enough for the first race, before dying and shifting and eventually settling in a 10kt south easterly for the remainder of the day. Marty Kullman, in hull 116, took the first bullet of the regatta. Once on land, North Sails experts Mike Marshall, Jackson Benvenutti and Austin Powers led a debrief following the days three races. The standings after day one were Hayden Bennett (NZL 269) on top followed by Marty Kullman (USA 116) and Doug Clark (USA 308).
Sunday saw a more consistent southerly breeze throughout the day and allowed race organizers to complete four races well before the 3pm cutoff. Michelle Warner in Tudo Bem (USA 296), won the first race of the day. The conditions held steady with overcast skies to allow competitors to battle for the podium. At the end of seven races, Hayden Bennett held on to his lead and took the Midwinter Championship title. Amy Kleinschrodt with sons Paul and Karl captured second, followed by Chris Alexander.
Thank you to all the competitors who made this winter series stop the largest yet! The next event will be Winter Series #3 on February 8-9 held at Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Full photo gallery to come soon.
Top 5 at VX One Midwinter Championship:
1. Hayden Bennett, NZL 269
2. Amy Kleinschrodt, USA 196
3. Chris Alexander, USA 276
4. Doug Clark, USA 308
5. Michelle Warner, USA 296