Mack One wins seventh VX One Australia National Championship
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.
Credits: Sunset Media / @sailorgirlhq
