Mack One wins seventh VX One Australia National Championship

Details

19 Jan

The VX One National Championship was contested from 13 to 18 January at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, with 30 teams lining up on Moreton Bay for a demanding week of racing. Sailors were tested by a wide range of conditions throughout the regatta, highlighting both the performance of the VX One and the calibre of the fleet.

After nine races, Mack One (VAUS376), skippered by Ben Franklin with Alan Moffat and Danny Fuller, claimed their seventh VX One National Championship. The team entered the final scheduled day with a decisive points margin, meaning the title was secured even before racing was ultimately abandoned.

“It’s been pretty exciting,” said Franklin on Mack One’s performance. “After last year’s fourth place, it was pretty cool to come back and win it back again. Alan, Danny and I sailed together for our first Nationals, eight or nine years ago.”

On not having to sail today, “we weren’t going to sit on shore, we would rather be out there with everyone else. I love sailing the boats, they have a great feel. We started sailing them when there were three or four in Queensland and we just fell in love with the boat really”.  

Deadly (VAUS349), skippered by William Woerman with Greg Clarke and Simon Small, finished second overall, with Rope Solutions Rigging Services (VAUS351), skippered by Chris Anderson with Darren Hutchison and Mitchell Miller, completing the podium.

The VX One National Championship also highlighted the growing strength and inclusivity of the class. The 30-boat fleet featured competitors from seven clubs across five Australian states, along with an international entry from Hong Kong. Seven youth skippers under the age of 21 competed alongside ten senior helms aged over 60, demonstrating the class’s appeal across generations. Female participation was a standout, with women sailing on nearly half the teams, four female helms including two youth skippers, and an all-female crew competing at the championship.

With the VX One now officially recognised as an international class, the regatta provided a clear benchmark for fleet depth, diversity, and the strong class culture attracting sailors at all levels.

Full Regatta Mini Episode

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.

Thank You

The regatta was delivered by Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, with the support of dedicated race officials, volunteers, and on-water teams whose efforts ensured a successful and competitive event.

The championship would not have been possible without the support of an outstanding group of sponsors: Pantaenius Sail & Motor Yacht Insurance, Northside Marine with a Highfield 320 Roll Up (tickets are still available for the regatta fundraising raffle here), Harken Australia, North Sails, and Rope Solutions Rigging Services.

Full Prize List

1. Mack One (VAUS376) – Ben Franklin, Alan Moffat, Danny Fuller

2. Deadly (VAUS349) – William Woerman, Greg Clarke, Simon Small

3. Rope Solutions Rigging Services (VAUS351) – Chris Anderson, Darren Hutchison, Mitchell Miller

• Youth Helm: Lazy Bear Express (VAUS368) – Luke Rogers

• Senior Helm: Rob Douglass (Dollop VAUS319)

• First Female: Nic Douglass (Dollop VAUS319)

• North Sails Jib (mid-fleet prize): Relaxn (VAUS336) – Sam Allen

Full Results