Please select your home edition
Edition
Feb-Nov23 Leaderboard Groco2
Product Feature
Allen 40mm Dynamic Tii-On Block
Allen 40mm Dynamic Tii-On Block

Melges 24 Pre-Worlds at Corpus Christi Yacht Club - Day 1

by Justin Chisholm, IMCA Event Press Officer 15 May 2011 07:28 BST 14-15 May 2011

Press Release Norway's Eivind Melleby wins only race

The international fleet competing at the 2011 Melges 24 World Championship in Corpus Christi, Texas, was given a gentle introduction to the championship with just a single medium airs race possible on Day 1 of the Pre-Worlds Regatta. With the after effects of the spectacular electrical storms which have been rumbling through Texas over the past few days preventing the customary 15+ knot thermal winds from developing, the first scheduled race of the day got underway bang on time in a somewhat recalcitrant 10 knots of breeze.

After an initial General Recall, the fleet got off at the second time of asking, with the bulk of the boats initially working the middle left of the beat. At the top mark it was Brian Porter at the helm of USA 749 Full Throttle who led by a couple of lengths from Ricardo Simoneschi on ITA 819 AUDI, with Eivind Melleby on NOR 804 Full Medal Jacket, in third. Melleby was the first of the leading group to gybe at the top of the run and this move gave him a narrow lead over Porter by the mid point of the leg. The two leading boats split at the leeward gate, with Melleby rounding the right hand buoy just seconds before Porter got to the right hand gate mark.

The next beat saw Melleby pick his way expertly through the shifts and weakening pressure to pull out a huge lead by the second windward mark. Alan Field on USA 811 WTF and Kristen Lane on USA 812 Brick House 812, also made significant gains on this leg to round close together in second and third places. The final run was sailed in a rapidly fading breeze, which enabled Melleby to extend his lead even further by the finish, with Lane taking second and Simoneschi closing out third.

Despite the best efforts of the Race Committee, soon after the last boat had ghosted home the breeze evaporated almost completely, leaving them no alternative but to send the fleet ashore to relax, tinker with their boats, and enjoy the glorious Texas sunshine. Later in the afternoon competitors took part in an informative post-racing debrief clinic, fronted by a panel of experts including Principal Race Officer Mark Foster, triple Melges 24 World Champion Federico Michetti, and double Melges 24 World Champion Vince Brun.

More light to medium conditions are expected for the final day of the Pre-Worlds Regatta tomorrow, with the beginnings of a return to the more characteristic bigger breezes anticipated for the start of the main Championship Series on Monday.

Racing at the 2011 Melges 24 World Championship runs through until Saturday 21 May with two scheduled races per day.You can keep up with all the latest news and developments from the 2011 Melges 24 World Championship via the International Melges 24 Blog, www.melges24.com and the event website.

Related Articles

Melges 24 US Nationals open for entries
Online Registration is officially open for Pensacola event in November The U.S. Melges 24 Class is thrilled to announce that Online Registration is officially open for the 2025 U.S. National Championship, hosted by Pensacola Yacht Club (PYC) on November 14-16, 2025. Posted on 18 Jun
Melges 24 European Sailing Series rankings update
48 teams from 11 nations have already contributed to a dynamic and diverse leaderboard The 2025 Melges 24 European Sailing Series is well under way, with three competitive events completed and the season heating up ahead of the World Championship in Trieste. Posted on 10 Jun
Melges 24 European Sailing Series event 3 overall
Dark Energy takes the win in Riva as Melgina claims the Italian title The final day of a thrilling regatta in Riva del Garda delivered everything the Melges 24 Class is known for: tight racing, changing leads, and a nail-biting finish. Posted on 25 May
Melges 24 European Sailing Series event 3 day 2
With the Ora fading, Dark Energy steps on the gas in Riva Even with the famed Ora breeze softening slightly, Day 2 of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series third event at Fraglia Vela Riva kept the momentum going. Posted on 24 May
Melges 24 European Sailing Series event 3 day 1
After a spectacular day of racing, Melgina leads the ranking in Riva At the end of three high-intensity races, the early lead belongs to Paolo Brescia's Melgina (ITA854), whose consistent scores of 1-2-6 place them at the top of the provisional standings. Posted on 24 May
Melges 24 European Sailing Series event 3 preview
27 teams heading to Riva del Garda Are you ready for some Melges 24 action? A total of 27 boats, representing top teams from across Europe and the United States, are heading to Riva del Garda for the third event of the 2025 Melges 24 European Sailing Series. Posted on 21 May
Melges 24s launch 2025 Great Lakes Season
Muskegon YC promises first-class race management, scenic shoreside amenities, top-notch hospitality The 2025 Quantum Sails Melges 24 Great Lakes Cup Series kicks off in full force on May 17-18 with the highly anticipated Muskegon Spring Championship, hosted by Muskegon Yacht Club. Posted on 12 May
Melges 24s at Trogir overall
Champions crowned in Trogir: Razjaren and Panjic take top honors The curtain came down on a thrilling weekend of Melges 24 racing in Trogir as Ante Cesic's Razjaren claimed victory at the second event of the 2025 Melges 24 European Sailing Series and was officially crowned the Melges 24 Croatian Champion 2025. Posted on 5 May
Melges 24s at Trogir day 2
Light winds limits the day to one race The second day of racing at the 2025 Melges 24 European Sailing Series in Trogir — also the final and decisive act of the 2025 Luki Baustoffe CRO Melges 24 Cup — turned into a waiting game as the fleet faced calm conditions for most of the day. Posted on 3 May
Melges 24s at Trogir day 1
Three dynamic races held under classic Adriatic conditions The second event of the 2025 Melges 24 European Sailing Series opened in spectacular fashion today in Trogir, delivering three dynamic races under classic Adriatic conditions. Posted on 3 May