Currie claims VX One Winter Series

Twenty-three teams were scored in the 3-stage 2019 VX One Winter Series hosted by Sarasota Sailing Squadron in Sarasota, FL. Taking the overall title was Paul Currie ahead of Paul Murphy in second and Bill Wiggins in third. Results.

Sarah Wilkinson provides these event reports:

January 19-21
The first event of the VX One Winter Series tested the fleet’s ability to handle heavy breeze and produced some of the most exciting racing of the series. Saturday showed steady 20kts with gusts into the thirties. The class handled the conditions well, with the all-girls team JUGS (Just Us Girls Sailing), comprised of Kelly Cole’s 148, managing to stay upright while hitting a top speed of 17.9kts during the first downwind of the day. Sunday was out of range, with gusts into the 40s, for the VX One class but that didn’t stop their competitive spirit that they took to the go-karting track, unfortunately those points did not count overall, just bragging rights. Sarasota Bay once again kept the fleet on their toes and tested their abilities on Monday with breeze that was light and shifty. Chis Alexander was able to connect the puffs to bring home 1st place, followed by Paul Currie in 2nd and John Potter in 3rd. Results.

February 9-10
This two-day event brought sunny skies, warm weather, and 15kt breezes to make for competitive racing. While the competitive fleet offers great racing, the ideal venue is the real draw. Seven races were enough to let father-son duo and VX One designer Brian and Hayden Bennet to win a tie breaker with Jeff Eiber for 1st place. Eiber claimed a strong 2nd place, followed by John Porter in 3rd. Results.

March 15-17
Friday proved to never underestimate the ability of mother nature when an under 6kt forecast turned into 12-14kts and blue skies, making for the best racing of the March stop. While no sailing was had on Saturday, plenty of swimming and Pina Coladas passed the time. On Sunday, after drifting for hours, Sarasota waved goodbye to the VX One fleet with a solid 8-10kt sea breeze to add two final races to the series. At the end of the 6-race series, class President Jeff Eiber took home 1st place, followed by Sam Padnos in 2nd and Bill Lydens rounding off the podium in 3rd. Results.