Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series - Event 1 Preview
by International Audi Melges 20 Class Association 11 Dec 2015 07:39 GMT
11-13 December 2015
With the mercury plummeting up north, the annual migration to warmer climates has begun for Melges 20 sailors participating in the 2015/16 Miami Winter Series. Hosted by the Coconut Grove Sailing Club (CGSC) and taking place in arguably one of the best, pure, sailing venues in the world - Biscayne Bay, the first event of the Melges 20 Winter Series commences this coming weekend, December 11-13.
Featuring an entry list of top flight Melges 20 teams from around the globe, competition for the overall and Corinthian trophies will be as tight as ever. With several perennial teams taking a brief hiatus after the World Championship last October, where the fleet lacks in size is made up for in an abundance of talent and newcomers from Monaco, Russia, Germany and Canada.
Michael Illbruck's Pinta, Yuriy Morozov's Russotrans, Matteo Marenghi Vaselli's Raya and Russell Hopper's Crazy Horse are all brand new to the Miami Winter Series. Each has travelled a great distance to experience Miami first-hand.
While the Melges 20 fleet comes together like a large family off the water, the veteran teams will be making sure the newcomers earn their stripes before they walk away with any trophies. "The fleet continues to improve and we see new and old teams mixing it up on the racecourse," commented Slingshot frontman Jonny 'Rockstar' Goldsberry. "There is never an easy pass in the Melges 20 fleet which is what makes it fun and such a great challenge."
Not only is a glorious win at the first event on the line this weekend, but teams will look to earn a top ten finish to get a strong start in the MWS standings.
Culminating with three events, the Series typically is decided in the final race of the final regatta in each stage, so while the final act is not until March, the journey begins now.
The all-amateur, Corinthian fleet will fire up this weekend, steeped in just as much talent and intensity as the open division. Several teams will battle it out for the top trophy including the likes of Canada's Paul Currie on Wild Deuces, Justin Quigg's Character 2.0 and John Brown's Blind Squirrel to name a few.
South Florida has been pounded by rain over the past week, and if early forecasts hold true, the skies will part and the fleet will enjoy sunshine and warm temps - perfect conditions for a true Miami sea breeze.
Visit the official Yachtscoring Event Website for full entry list and more as the event unfolds.