Melges 20 Winter Series Finale at Coconut Grove Sailing Club - Overall

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

A full round of congratulations goes out to 2018 Melges Rocks Regatta Champions Vladimir Prosikhin and his NIKA team which included tactician Michele Ivaldi and crew Giorgio Tortarolo. Simultaneously, they have also conquered the 2017-18 Miami Winter Series. They are the very first European team to ever win the Winter Series Championship title and take home the trophy.

"The Melges 20 attracts very good sailors. That's what I really enjoy most," said Prosikhin. "I like the race course in Miami... flat water, stable conditions. There was really only light wind for just one day in the Series. And, it's a very, very strong fleet to compete with."

"This is a big achievement. I am happy, and the crew is happy! It feels good to finish the Series strong. Now we are off to Ischia to race the European circuit in Italy."

2017-18 Melges 20 Miami Winter Series - RUSSIAN BOGATYRS, Igor Rytov - photo © International Melges 20 Class Association

Igor Rytov's Russian Bogatyrs and Alexis Michas' Midnight Sun completed the podium in second and third respectively.

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

Rob Wilber's Cinghiale finished fourth overall. Italy's Dario Levi on Fremito D'Arja rounded out the top five.

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

On Sunday morning, as teams awoke and made their way to the docks, the light air prevailed. From an early point, PRO Blake Middleton was quoted as saying, "Conditions are not looking awesome." At 1100 the call was made to abandon racing, therefore the results for the Melges Rocks Regatta as of Saturday, remain as is and stand as final.

A Big Round of Thanks

First and foremost, a very special thanks to every team that competed at the 2018-19 Miami Winter Series - from the first event to the last, it simply would not be possible without your support and dedication to the Melges 20 Class. Additional thanks and appreciation is extended to those that have partnered with the Class, successfully making the Miami Winter Series the absolute best. Thanks always to PRO Blake Middleton and Coconut Grove Sailing Club with its dedicated roster of volunteers for their excellence in race management. A kind thanks to Miami Shake-A-Leg for their continued support of the Series, and always to Melges Performance Sailboats.

Up Next - Charleston Double Header: Race Week & Nationals

The next events here in North America include the fantastic 2018 Sperry Charleston Race Week on April 12-15 - it's the perfect lead-up to what will be an amazing U.S. National Championship on May 18-20. Hosted by the Carolina Yacht Club, the Nationals is setting up to be a red-carpet event at a world-class venue.

Overall Results: (top five, 6 races, 1 discard)

1. (RUS) Vladimir Prosikhin, NIKA; 4-2-4-1-3-[7] = 14
2. (RUS) Igor Rytov, RUSSIAN BOGATYRS; 9-1-2-[12]-2-2 - 16
3. (USA) Alexis Michas, MIDNIGHT SUN; 3-[8]-6-2-1-5 = 17
4. (USA) Rob Wilber, CINGHIALE; [8]-6-1-5-4-3 = 19
5. (ITA) Dario Levi, FREMITO D'ARJA; 5-3-3-3-[10]-9 = 23

Miami Winter Series Results: (top five after three events)

1. (RUS) Vladimir Prosikhin, NIKA = 6 pts.
2. (RUS) Igor Rytov, RUSSIAN BOGATYRS = 10 pts.
3. (USA) Alexis Michas, MIDNIGHT SUN = 14 pts.
4. (MON) Achille Onorato, MASCALZONE LATINO, JR. = 16 pts.
5. (USA) Drew Freides, PACIFIC YANKEE = 16 pts.