VX One MidWinters – New speed record set on Day 2 in Queensland

Speedwagon - Boat of the Day Nic Douglass / www.AdventuresofaSailorGirl.com

SuperVax sending it through the carnage © Nic Douglass / www.AdventuresofaSailorGirl.com

The first race of the day, the third of the series was started in about 15 knots. Andrew York, the new series leader, was off to a quick start to lead around mark one. While he was never headed, the battle behind between Daniel Alcock on Angry Beaver, and Brett Whitbread on SuperVax was fierce. Alcock had the edge upwind all day, but Whitbread was a rocket ship downwind, slipping into second at the finish as the breeze increased to 18 knots with puffs of 20. Fourth and fifth also had a close battle, with Alan Moffat on Ovi One Kenobi beating Sticky Fingers and Adam Janczyk.

Daniel Alcock launching in race four © Nic Douglass / www.AdventuresofaSailorGirl.com

Race four was won convincingly by Dan Alcock and the Franklin brothers. They nailed the start below the fleet and continued to increase their lead around the track. Meanwhile, the battle for the smaller podium was fierce. After a slow start, Andrew York on Speedwagon made his way through the fleet, but he couldn't catch the downwind speedster, Brett Whitbread and 'The Crack' on SuperVax. Yorky finished third, fourth was Janczyk on Sticky Fingers and fifth was 'The Beast' and Michael James, also a two up crew with serious downwind speed!

Sticky Fingers requesting permission to land at Brisbane Airport © Nic Douglass / www.AdventuresofaSailorGirl.com

The third race of the day, Race 5 was my personal favourite. The battle between Alcock and Yorky was on for young and old all the way around the track. Yorky showed his experience in the class, keeping the young gun on his heels right to the finish with 'maybe a length of a spinnaker pole between us!' in his words. The pressure amongst the pair was evident, with both immediately capsizing at the finish (see pics and video). Michael James on 'The Beast' had a pearler of a race, finishing in third, Whitbread was fourth, and Moffat fifth.

By race six the breeze was averaging 20 knots, with upward puffs at 150 degrees and plenty of Moreton Bay chop. 'Boat of the Day' was at a three way tie between the Angry Beaver, Speedwagon, and SuperVax, as an indicator of just how tight the eleven boat fleet is, even in plus 18 knot conditions. There were plenty of capsizes, and John Whitbread reached 24.7 knots of boat speed on the run! The battle between Alcock and Yorky was on yet again. Yorky was off to an early lead, but Alcock sailed the bottom third of the run with speed and smarts to get room at the gate. Yorky was not letting go, and passed Alcock by the finish to seal 'Boat of the Day' and the regatta lead, with newcomers Sticky Fingers in third, followed SuperVax and Ovi One Kenobi.

Pipeline Drillers hitting 24.7 knots © Nic Douglass / www.AdventuresofaSailorGirl.com

It is looking like 20 plus knots again today, so no doubt all will finish on a high, especially the eventual winners with only one point separating the top three!

Thanks to the sponsors of the VX One Midwinter Championships for their amazing support of the class, not just at this regatta; Boating and RV, Moreton Bay Signs and Beast CNC & Design.

Alcock capsized immediately after race five © Nic Douglass / www.AdventuresofaSailorGirl.com

More tomorrow, with plenty of live action on my social channels, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

For more adventures head to Adventures of a Sailor Girl website.

York capsized immediately after race five © Nic Douglass / www.AdventuresofaSailorGirl.com