Freides captures Melges 20 Miami Winter Series Regatta win

2017-18 Melges 20 Miami Winter Series © International Melges 20 Class Association

Sunshine and big breeze ushered in the final day of competition at the 2017-18 Miami Winter Series hosted by Coconut Grove Sailing Club (GCSC). With idyllic, simply spectacular racing conditions in place for a third day in a row, it's no surprise Drew Freides' Pacific Yankee took the overall win alongside of team members Morgan Reeser as tactician and Charlie Smythe.

2017-18 Melges 20 Miami Winter Series - Vladimir Prosikhin, NIKA - photo © International Melges 20 Class Association

Confirming the final podium positions are Russia's Vladimir Prosikhin's Nika in second, and following in third, flying high with the Monaquese flag, was Achille Onorato's Mascalzone Latino, Jr.

2017-18 Melges 20 Miami Winter Series - Achille Onorato, MASCALZONE LATINO, JR. - photo © International Melges 20 Class Association

With two rounds of 2017-18 Miami Winter Series racing complete, the ranking is well on its way to being defined. Freides officially commands the lead by a slim margin. Prosikin and Igor Rytov's Russian Bogatyrs round out the podium spots. Onorato and Alexis Michas' Midnight Sun completes the top five.

2017-18 Melges 20 Miami Winter Series - Alexis Michas, MIDNIGHT SUN - photo © International Melges 20 Class Association

After a difficult Day Two in Miami, Matteo Marenghi Vaselli aboard Raya reconfirmed the speed of his Melges 20 by rounding the first mark of Race Seven in first place, followed by Jason Michas' Midnight Blue, Daniel Thielman's Kuai and a hard-charging Alexis Michas. Marenghi Vaselli capitalized on the breezy conditions to take the win, followed by Jason Michas in second. Freides sealed the deal with a third place finish. Thielman and Paul Reilly's Red Sky Sailing Team rounded out the top five.

With Freides taking his discard as Race Eight, Prosikhin had room to breathe, advance and excel for the win, followed by Wes Whitmyer's SlingShot in second, Rytov finished third.

Another sincere round of thanks goes to Coconut Grove Sailing Club and Shake-A-Leg Miami for their continued, endless support of the Miami Winter Series - most especially to PRO Blake Middleton and his league of GCSC volunteers for premium race management.

Rejoin the fleet on March 16-18, 2018 for the grand finale event - Melges Rocks!

Overall Results: (top five, 8 races, 1 discard)

1. USA - Drew Freides, PACIFIC YANKEE; 1-1-1-2-[3]-2 = 7
2. RUS - Vladimir Prosikhin, NIKA; [12]-2-3-5-1-4 = 15
3. MON - Achille Onorato, MASCALZONE LATINO, JR.; 6-3-[8]-6-2-8 = 25
4. USA - Alexis Michas, MIDNIGHT SUN; 4-6-9-1-6-[11] = 26
5. USA - Daniel Thielman, KUAI; 8-[13]-6-3-9-5 = 31

Miami Winter Series Ranking: (top five after two events)

1. Drew Freides, PACIFIC YANKEE; 2 pts.
2. Vladimir Prosikhin, NIKA; 5 pts.
3. Igor Rytov, RUSSIAN BOGATYRS; 8 pts.
4. Achille Onorato, MASCALZONE LATINO, JR.; 8 pts
5. Alexis Michas, MIDNIGHT SUN; 11 pts.