Newsletter Archive

VX One August Newsletter

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Published: 313108082525

Airlie Beach Race Week  An amazing venue, a full party vibe and incredible water is how we can sum up Airlie Beach Race Week.    The six boats who headed north enjoyed relatively breezy but shifty conditions. Unfortunately, day two racing was called off early due to the rapidly building southeasterly, however, there were three races in the bag thanks to day one.  This was a good call by Race Management it seems! The reserve day was not used mainly due to the forecast for more of the same heavy air that undid a forty foot cat the day prior (when we were on the beach).  The good news with that was the competitors could do their planned activities, and the even better news - we got to see the sunset before the Presidential Dinner hosted by Clarkey and Bink at their place, a lovely way to all get together.

After lay day, the fleet got in another three races in breezier conditions, and on the final day managed five (!!!) races to finish the series only one race down. An epic achievement!  Most importantly, fun was had by all, the club and organisers loved having us, and we have now set the scene for more VX’n in the Whitsundays!

Full results

NSW State Championships The NSW State Championships will be held at Cronulla Sailing Club on 15th and 16th November. The Club has worked through the logistics to cater for 20 boats so it is a go. Socials at the club will include a pizza and beer afternoon on Saturday and Friday night is always spectacular at Cronulla. More details to come, but save the date!

Mick Hole Regatta Three VX’s took part in the Mick Hole Memorial Regatta, 19-20 July at RPAYC. The racing was tricky with all three VX’s V Wagon (Chris Dawson/Steve Bryant), Rapture (Rob Douglass/Dave Hyde) and Bolt (Warwick Rooklyn/Josh Dawson/Katherine Shannon) alternating the lead in almost every race at various points. V Wagon had a glamour Day 2 to lead the VX’s in the end.

RPAYC & RSYS Club Racing We now have two fleets in Sydney - RPAYC and Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (see new owners section below). RPA has set a program with racing starting on Sunday 20th September.   Anyone interested in joining in or wanting a sail should contact Dave Hyde or Jervis Tilley.  Royal Sydney has an open day on 14th September with racing commencing the following week.

NEW BOATS & NEW OWNERS  A big welcome to new owners Gary Cassidy, we hope the first of many at Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, and David Bull at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron who have purchased VX One 243 and 350 respectively; as well as to new boat owners Evert Meyer and Peter Cheney who are both new to VX Ones and are proud owners of 412 and 413 at Royal Queensland.  Peter Conde and Steve Girdis have traded their usual ride on 243 for the brand new 415 after selling 243 to Gary.   New boats will be ordered on an “as needed” basis. The next order is expected to arrive in November. If you are interested, please contact Peter Conde to reserve your boat. As a result of Gary Cassidy’s purchase, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron are starting a Sports Boat Division to race every second Saturday. A  great interim step while the numbers build at the Club.

QLD State Championship & next National Championship The QLD State Championship will be held on 13th and 14th December 2025 at RQYS. This is also the venue for the 2026 National Championship, which will be held from 13th to 18th January 2026.  The full program is: Tuesday 13 Jan Measuring and Registration Wednesday 14 Jan   Racing Thursday 15 Jan Racing Friday 16 Jan Scheduled Reserve Day Saturday 17 Jan Racing Sunday 18 Jan Racing and Presentation  So, book your accommodation! This is likely to be the largest VX regatta in Australia to date!

VX One July Newsletter

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Published: 040407072525

RSYS Try VX-ing Weekend   Undoubtedly the best VX One Experience Day we have run in NSW was held 5-6 July at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron. The benefit of the event being supported and even driven by the host club was the game changer.   We had 35 individuals sail on Saturday and 10 on Sunday. The demographic was wide in both age and experience and all the feedback was nothing short of enthusiastic. Enquiries on the boats were through the roof and one VX has been sold into the club already. We fully expect another three to follow in quick succession.   A huge thanks to the two Melbourne teams who brought their boats up for the weekend (Dan Gorton/Tom LG & Ross Wyatt). Also kudos to the Sydney VX community who added enormous value (Dave Hyde/ Dolly/Jervis Tilley/Nic D/Rob D).   The RSYS committee and Sailing Office were also fabulous and we have left three boats on the hard stand (FOC) in anticipation of them participating in the RSYS Icebreaker regatta 2-3 August. If you are interested in taking part please reply to this email if you aren’t already in touch on What’s App.       SAVE THE DATE - Airlie Beach Race Week is a go!   Dates: 9-13 August with a Reserve Day in line with the greater ABRW and a lot warmer than current temperatures down south.  Fleet/Course: One-Design in-shore course racing, up to four races per day.  Boats: We know of ten boats who have booked accommodation (five have entered!) Reply to this email for more information or see below!          Image from Airlie Beach Race Week 2024 - Andrea Francolini VX One International Committee We have now had four International Association meetings and are progressing rapidly toward the lodgement of our official application for International Class status to World Sailing. The final two items for us to proceed are International Class rules (circulated for approval, hopefully this week) and the inaugural World Championship timing and venue (likely Miami, USA in March 2027).  World Sailing have scheduled a series of meetings to work through the rules. We will continue to keep you updated!  Thank you!  The VX One Australia fleet would like to thank and acknowledge Sam Allen, AUS336, who has offered his facilities at Sam Allen Wholesale to unload containers of new boats, store unsold boats, and store our spare parts. This is greatly appreciated and significantly contributes to the growth of the fleet.  Thanks Sam       New Boats  Beautiful shot above of the three new boats that were recently delivered to Brisbane. We have tentatively indicated to Mackay that we expect to need the next shipment of three boats to be delivered in early November 2025. See our website for some information on the recent upgrades and pricing on new boats. And here are some pics of the new boats, which look sensational, including some of the upgrades and options like factory-supplied EVA flooring for those who are familiar with past boats.  Pictured on the right, the upgraded outhaul, pole launch, and jib exit block on the foredeck, as well as high load blocks for the jib. There are also upgrades to the clear coat on the CST mast.  Anyone interested in a new boat should contact Peter Conde (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 0418 231 717). Boats & Spares For Sale There are a number of second-hand boats available.   There is also a listing of spares now held in Brisbane, Australia including a mast, sprit, keel, boom, tillers, & sail track. Full spares list and pricing.   Next VX One Nationals - RQYS The next Nationals will be sailed at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron from 15 - 19 January 2026. We have some visitors already inquiring about charter boats, so if you aren’t going to be sailing and are keen to charter, please let us know!

Rope Solutions wins the 2025 VX One Mid Winter Nationals

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Published: 272706062525

Rope Solutions wins windy VX One Winter Nationals

23 boats competed in the VX One Winter Nationals 2025 at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (RQYS) from 7-9 June. Over the 13 races it was Chris Anderson, Mitchell Miller and Darren Hutchison on Rope Solutions Rigging Services AUS351 who came out on top over Baahouse + Baastudio Architecture, AUS371 Luke Rogers, Kris Bilston and Claus Ejlertsen and Mack One AUS376 helmed by Ben Franklin with Alan Moffat and Danny Fuller. 

“It’s good to see so many boats, especially the southerners coming up,” Anderson said of the nine boats who travelled from NSW and VIC to compete to make up the 23 boat fleet. “And on the back of Airlie Beach Race Week happening for our class, we are all going to that one, that will be good!”

“We got there,” he said of the win, “in a lot of wind, especially today. A few hairy moments, a few gybes that didn’t go as planned, but we managed to get around, JUST. Almost tipped it in twice at one finish”.  

Final Day Video - RQYS - Mike Middleton

“There are a lot of mixed crews, two-ups, three-ups, young girls, young guys, and all just loving sailing the VX One. That is why we got into it, it’s a growing class”, he finished. 

Fourth overall were newcomers to the class, dual Gold Medallist Malcolm Page (2008/2012), with Beijing Gold Medallist counterpart Nathan Wilmot on the helm, with Olympic coach and Paralympic Gold & Silver Medallist coach and RQYS Head Coach, Adrian Finglas in the middle. On chartered boat Wissel AUS242, they finished four points in front of fifth, Dollop AUS319 skippered by the first Senior Helm, Rob Douglass, with the first female Nic Douglass and Garth Bickford. 

“It was FUN!” exclaimed Nathan Wilmot of the weekend still with the smile he had all weekend still plastered to his face. 

“The VX1 sailors are a great group of people, friendly, helpful and very skilled racers. The podium finishers were a cut above and deserved their results,” he said. 

“The boats are great, responsive with sail development, tuning and the physicality… some classes have gone away from this and it’s great to develop or show these skills. The socials ashore and sailing unity was clear and a great part of the weekend,” he finished. 

His bow and long-term sailing partner, Malcolm Page, most recently winning the 16ft Skiff National Championship in 2023 together said, “the Brisbane mid-winter winds and the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron hospitality was first class as always”. 

“Nathan, Adrian and I are totally destroyed from the weekend… the last two days’ of wind and that hiking was extremely painful… but rewarding from a speed perspective,” he continued. 

In short, “love the boats, I will be back”, he finished. 

Thanks to the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron for being such exceptional hosts, their volunteers and the hospitality of the club is incredible, including storing a number of southern state boats before the fleet heads north for Airlie Beach Race Week for the first time. 

 -ENDS-   

IMAGES:

Required credit for images as marked and in file title, either Andrew Snell/@SailorGirlHQ or Mike Middleton/RQYS. Please do not alter.

Contact

Nicole (Nic) Douglass

Content Manager - VX One Australia Nationals 2025

Phone - +61 (0)402 454 885

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Beast Mode on Pittwater - New VX One Australian Champion

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Published: 222201012525

The VX One Australian Championship concluded today at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC), and a new Australian Champion was crowned. The Beast AUS352, skippered by Jordan Barney, with siblings Ayla Barney and Hayden Barney, took a convincing win over the four races sailed, finishing seven points ahead of second placed V Wagon AUS248.

The team also won the first Youth Skipper, and the first female to cross the line. 

“We are stoked to be in this position. Obviously we are pretty privileged to be where we are at,” said Jordan Barney. “It just came down to picking the shifts and making those slight decisions that are ten percenters or one percenters,” he finished on the conditions. 

“I am very emotional about the whole thing,” said Michael James, The Beast Team Principal. “Couldn’t be prouder. They represented the brand nicely,” he finished. 

Second place was taken by newcomer to the fleet, V Wagon AUS248, skippered by Chris Dawson with Steve Bryant and Jan Scholten. With a win in race two and lowest result of ten, the crew’s consistency won out to secure the Senior Helm trophy by one point from Peter Conde on Late Shift AUS243 in third overall.

The day’s racing got underway in variable conditions with a median of around 15 knots, with plenty of play in the direction, giving the fleet plenty to think about in the all-or-nothing race day. The racing didn’t disappoint with action on the start line, close mark roundings and plenty of contention for places throughout the fleet.

Race four was the only race to not have a clear start, with a general recall being called by the Race Committee. On the second attempt the fleet got away cleanly, and as the cloud broke up the breeze lifted to the 16-18 knot range over the course. The strong breeze saw boat handling win throughout the fleet, and as it peaked at the end of race four there were some thrills and spills for those hit by gusts of up to 22 knots. 

Video link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18NQqVpaE9/

The winner of the Vakaros, thanks to Harken Australia in the raffle draw was Alan Moffat, owner of six-time National Champion team Mack One. 

The winner of the North Sails jib was also the first female skipper, Juliet Constanzo AUS244 from the host club RPAYC. 

Thanks to regatta sponsors Harken Australia, North Sails, Pantaenius, Market Matters and Skiff Ropes for their support. 

Event website

Results

VX One Nationals 2025 (Almost) Get Underway

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Published: 181801012525

Send it Saturday!

The VX One 2025 Australian Championships almost got underway today from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC). Following two days of no racing due to gale-force winds, the fleet was champing at the bit to get racing.

The AP ashore came down at 1235 and the fleet of 29 rushed to crane their boats in to get out onto the race track with the assistance of the RPAYC waterfront team and race committee. 

The Beast Sailing Team, skippered by Jordan Barney, with siblings Hayden Barney and Layla Barney were quick to hoist their new spinnaker and test the speed of the VX One. The team hit an impressive top speed of 22.8 knots, missing out on the class record of 24.7 knots. 

Video link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1TDQb7DbPJ/

“We're used to being beaten up by the waves, and yeah, we just took it as a golden opportunity to have a bit of fun,” said Hayden Barney

“Mick James (VXOne Association of Australia Life Member), he's the proud owner of The Beast and The Beast Sailing Team, so we just wanted to get the all clear from him. He's been helping us get to all these regattas, he came with us last year… he travels with us, he provides the sails, accommodation, and the drinks at the end,” added Hayden Barney of The Beast program. 

The Race Committee had a goal of a first start at 14:45 and we thank them for their effort to get racing underway. As boat after boat in the 29 boat fleet headed out from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, predominantly sailing under jib only, the breeze began to increase once again, forcing on water delays. 

It wasn’t long until the fleet, all huddled together in the lee of Scotland Island heard the AP/A horns blasted over the radio. 

Racing is set to start at 1000 tomorrow with four races scheduled to make a series. 

Thanks to regatta sponsors Harken Australia, North Sails, Pantaenius, Market Matters and Skiff Ropes for their support. 

Event website

Results

Im Credits: Nic Douglass @sailorgirlhq

For interview requests, further information on competitors, high resolution VNR and image requests please reply to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Copyright for images as marked and in file title. Please do not alter.

Contact: Nicole (Nic) Douglass

Content Manager - VX One Australia Nationals 2025

Phone - +61 (0)402 454 885

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Six in a row for Mack One at Nash Advisory VX One Nationals 2024

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Published: 181801012424

The formidable AUS332 Mack One crew of Ben Franklin, Alan Moffat and Josh Franklin have claimed a sixth straight national title at Royal Brighton Yacht Club. They clinched the win by four points over AUS330 Pipeline Drillers, skippered by Brett Whitbread, after racing was abandoned on the final day due to high winds with gusts over 30 knots.

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VX One Nationals from Royal Brighton Yacht Club - Day 3

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Published: 171701012424

A morning Melbourne rain storm delivered different conditions for day three of the Nash Advisory VX One Nationals. The wave state and shifting breeze saw close and exciting racing across the three races, with a different winner taking each.

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Nash Advisory VX One Nationals - Day 2

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Published: 161601012424

Day two of the Nash Advisory VX One Nationals was sailed in a seriously tricky and blustery northerly breeze.

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Nash Advisory VX One Nationals start from RBYC

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Published: 151501012424

Day one of the Nash Advisory VX One Nationals commenced from Royal Brighton Yacht Club today, with four races sailed in a building south easterly breeze under the watchful eye of Kevin Wilson with his brother Ross Wilson as deputy. 

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