Geoff Moore and Josh Yale earned their second VX One North American Championship title after nine races on Lake Michigan, representing Royal Canadian Yacht Club.

 

 

Moore and Yale took control early and never gave the fleet much room to respond. Their final scoreline was 2-3-1-1-[15]-2-3-1-1, with four race wins and a 15th discarded. They finished on 14 net points, 17 points ahead of second place.

 

The night before the final day, Moore found himself thinking about what he might say if they won. By morning, he was convinced he had jinxed himself. Then he and Yale went out and won both races.

 

At the awards ceremony, Moore reflected on why VX One sailors keep coming back. “As I’ve gotten older, it’s become clear to me that the reason I do it is the connections, the friends, and the people we meet,” Moore said. “We meet each other at these events year after year, decade after decade, and we make connections.”

 

 

Macatawa Bay Yacht Club hosted 43 teams in Holland with support from a large group of volunteers, race officials and local members. Thirteen boats represented the host club, and each evening brought the fleet back together lakeside, including Friday night’s championship banquet.

 

Across three race days, Lake Michigan delivered predominantly light, shifty conditions. The fleet raced just off the eastern shore, along the towering sand dunes of western Michigan. Ashore, Macatawa Bay Yacht Club paired the racing with warm Midwest hospitality, while Holland’s Dutch heritage, lakefront setting, and lively downtown gave visiting sailors plenty to explore each night.

 

Behind Moore and Yale, the leaderboard changed throughout the week. Michael and Mitchell Kiss opened the regatta with a hometown win and stayed near the front throughout the championship. Marc Farmer and Tej Trevor Parekh finished third, while defending champions Chris Alexander, Madeline Baldridge and Ricky Welch finished fourth. Evan Hoffmann and Nick Woviotis completed the top five. Tim Pitts, JoAnn Fisher and Abby Brown earned Top Mixed-Plus Team honors, while Sophie Callander, Naomi Sterlingsdottir and Falacci Johnston were named the Top All-Female Team.

 

 

The championship comes during an important period of growth for the VX One Class, which recently became an official World Sailing Class Association. The fleet now turns toward the inaugural VX One U.S. National Championship at Lake Norman Yacht Club, followed by four Miami Winter Series events, the Bacardi Invitational Regatta and the inaugural VX One World Championship in Miami, April 7-10, 2027.

 

 

The VX One Class thanks Macatawa Bay Yacht Club, race committee, organizers, volunteers and families who made the championship possible, along with event sponsors Vela Sailing Supply and Evolution Sails.

 

Final Top Five

1. Ripple | Geoff Moore & Josh Yale 🇨🇦 | 14 points  

2. Bacio | Michael & Mitchell Kiss 🇺🇸 | 31 points  

3. Bro Safari | Marc Farmer & Tej Trevor Parekh 🇨🇦 | 42 points  

4. Counterproductive | Chris Alexander, Madeline Baldridge & Ricky Welch 🇺🇸 | 43 points  

5. Hoffdog Express | Evan Hoffmann & Nick Woviotis 🇺🇸 | 57 points

 

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