Race Report

Racing was scheduled to commence on 14 January, however the opening day of the VX One National Championship was abandoned due to excessive wind strength and an untidy sea state on Moreton Bay. With conditions exceeding class limits, the decision was made early to abandon racing and activate the Reserve Day scheduled for 16 January.

VX One Australia President, Greg Clarke, said the decision was made with safety and fairness in mind.

“We had sustained breeze around 20 knots with gusts well above that, combined with a very difficult sea state,” Clarke said. “With a full fleet and brand-new equipment across the board, it was the right call to keep everyone ashore.”

Race Day Two

After the abandoned opening day, the fleet was eager to get underway, with three races completed in solid conditions that delivered tight upwind legs, fast downwind runs, and frequent position changes across the fleet.

• Race 1: Mack One (Franklin) from Dollop (Douglass) and Double Black (Patrick)

• Race 2: Lazy Bear Express (Rogers) from Deadly (Woerman) and Mack One (Franklin)

• Race 3: Mack One (Franklin) from Dollop (Douglass) and BAASTUDIO Architecture (Barney)

Seven-time national champions Mack One closed the day as early series leaders after showing strong speed and recovery through the fleet.

Race Day Three

Conditions were lighter on the third day, rewarding patience following an AP ashore, along with pressure recognition and clean manoeuvres around the course.

• Race 4: Vuvuzela (Meyer) from No Excuses (Costanzo) and Ovi One Kenobi (Marios)

• Race 5: Ovi One Kenobi (Marios) from Rope Solutions Rigging Services (Anderson) and Lateshift (Conde)

• Race 6: Mack One (Franklin) from Deadly (Woerman) and Surfing With A Spoon (Prentice)

Race Day Four

The championship continued to build on day four, with consistency across the fleet becoming increasingly important. There was again an AP ashore before racing, with a shifty easterly breeze influenced by developing storm clouds to both the north and south of the course.

• Race 7: Mack One (Franklin) from Lazy Bear Express (Rogers) and Ovi One Kenobi (Marios)

• Race 8: Mack One (Franklin) from Dollop (Douglass) and Rope Solutions Rigging Services (Anderson)

• Race 9: Mack One (Franklin) from Lazy Bear Express (Rogers) and Vuvuzela (Meyer)

Mack One’s performance across the latter races, including multiple wins, proved decisive in establishing an unassailable lead heading into the final scheduled day.

Final Day

No racing was possible on the final day of the championship due to storm conditions on Moreton Bay, and ultimately a dangerous storm warning. As a result, the championship results stood as recorded after nine races, with the final two races abandoned.