Melges 24 Atlantic Coast Championship at Bacardi Miami Sailing Week
by U.S. Melges 24 Class Association 10 Mar 2013 13:29 GMT
7-9 March 2013
Simoneschi crowned Atlantic Coast champion, Evans earns top Corinthian honours
The final day of the Melges 24 Atlantic Coast Championship in conjunction with the 2013 Bacardi Miami Sailing Week proved the strength of yesterday's leader board with all three teams remaining on the podium. Italy's Riccardo Simoneschi, owner of AUDI, impressed the fleet with two bullets today overtaking the lead with a five point spread to win the Melges 24 Bacardi Miami Sailing Week. Congratulations to Riccardo, Federico Buscaglia, Enrico Fonda, Lucia Giorgett, and Vittorio Rosso for three great days of racing in Miami.
Simoneschi took the bullet for race one with a huge win in open water. Betty, sailed by Jeremy Tudor had his best race of the day taking second, and Rob Britts on Hot Mess landed third. He too sailed his best in race one of the final day.
Don Wilson's Convexity took race two with a great jump off the line where he was able to reach the top mark first and continue for the win. Catharine Evans' Mojitocontinued to dominate as a corinthian team in a highly competitive fleet taking second in race two, first for the corinthian division, and fourth in the overall standings. Argyle Campbell sailing Rock 'N Roll took third for race two and finished in seventh place respectively.
Simoneschi, once again with the bullet in the final race of the day, proved why AUDI holds the trophy for the overall winner. Wilson was the runner up in the final race, but was able to move from yesterday's third place standing to finishing the series in second overall. Richard Thompson's Black Seal helmed by Derek Ratteray was able to find a great line and finish in third.
The Bacardi Corinthian Division was extremely competitive over the entire three days. A very proud and extremely giggly Catherine Evan's Mojito took top honors. "I started sailing about two years ago. Then one day on the way in after racing, I asked if I could drived and from there I was hooked. This was so much fun." commented Evans just after awards.
U.S. Melges 24 Vice President and Southeast District Governor Rob Britts on Hot Mess happily claimed second while Curtis Jazwiecki on Gnarly Ruca claimed third.
A very special thanks
The Melges 24 fleet is overjoyed at the incredible event organization and management of the Melges 24 Atlantic Coast Championship | Bacardi Miami Sailing week organized by STUDIOMILANO. Thank you to Bacardi for sponsoring the event and providing rum at the Melges Rocks Party and to EFG bank for sponsoring the Melges Performance Sailing DeBrief. In particular, the Melges 24 fleet would like to recognize the amazing efforts of Ron Rostorfer and the Coconut Grove Sailing Club for accommodating to the fleet. Huge thanks as always to PRO Bruce Golison and race committee for all their hard work on and off the water. Also, a special thank you for the strong support of Melges USA.
Overall Results: (top five, 7 races, 1 discard)
1.) Riccardo Simoneschi, Audi; [8]-1-3-3-1-7-1=16pts
2.) Don Wilson, Convexity; 3-[10]-4-2-9-1-2=21pts
3.) Alan Field, WTF; 2-2-1-6-[8]-6-4=21pts
4.)Catharine Evans, Mojito; 1-[16]-5-4-7-2-10=29pts
5.) Alec Cutler, Hedgehog; [17]-8-10-1-4-5-5=33pts
Corinthian Results:
1.) Catharine Evans, Mojito; 1-[16]-5-4-7-2-10=29pts
2.) Rob Britts, Hot Mess; 6-5-6-{17}-3-4-12=36pts
3.) Curtis Jazwiecki, Gnarly Ruca; 14-13-11-12-10-[17]-11=71pts