Who’s Who of Sailing Talent Expected
In Action-Packed, Photo-Friendly Competition
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND, February 9, 2009 – The International Melges 24 Class announced today that the dates for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship, to be hosted by Eastport Yacht Club, Annapolis, Maryland are now set. The regatta will now take place from October 23 through October 31, a week earlier than originally scheduled.
The Melges 24 event in the Southeast is the 2009 Porsche Cup of Naples. This event is the second of many on the 2009 SLAM U.S. National Championship Series schedule. It is also part of the Southeast District Circuit. One of the best known sailors in the world — Dawn Riley will be speaking at this regatta so don’t miss out!
Visit the GULF COAST SAILING CLUB WEBSITE today and plan to attend. More than 15 team are expected to compete as the fleet gets excited about the upcoming spring sailing season.
Congratulations are in order for Rob Butler on CAN-177 Eager Beaver and his crew consisting of his wife Sandy, Jim Dickey and Larry Huibers! They are the 2009 Melges 24 Corinthian St. Petersburg NOOD Champions!
The Eager Beavers traveled all the way from Canada to race and it certainly was well worth the drive. Their best race was a seventh place finish in race 1 of the 6 race series.
TOP FIVE RESULTS
1. Rob Butler
2. Bob Kroetsch
3. J A Booker
4. George Haynie
5. Greg McCliment
A very special thanks to Melges Performance Sailboats for fully supporting the Corinthian Melges 24 division in St. Pete’s! Each team will take home some very cool Melges gear!
Congratulations to Dave Ullman aboard USA-515 and his crew of Doug Fisher, Andy Escourt, Scott Liebel and Dan Wittig! They are 2009 Melges 24 St. Pete’s NOOD champions.
The official awards ceremony will be taking place very shortly!
Maybe… The breeze just did a 180… First time ever that only for a moment kites were up in both directions…
Hutchinson drops his chute, Ullman follows suit, then the rest of the fleet.
RACE CALLED OFF… Fleet headed to the dock…
That’s a wrap…
The sun is shining at the top mark, dark clouds still loom over the leeward gate, more pressure on the right…
Breeze building as teams close in on the mark…
Michas
Ullman
Reid
Ansov
Hutchinson
all taking to the right for breeze…
With thunder clouds serving as the backdrop, the gun is two minutes out … Going to make for an interesting start…
Fleet batches at the committee boat end…
Hutchinson
Ullman
Goss
Mossman
Field
O’Reilly
Blouin
Campbell
Hulsey
Single
DuVal
Williamson
Butler
Willits
Kroetch
Hutchinson extends his lead coming up to the leeward gate, early take down taking the right gate… Course change to 200
Hutchinson
Ullman
Goss
All through the right gate…
O’Reilly moves up to fouth rounding on the left
Taking the right gate…
Blouin
Mossman
Field
Hulsey
Campbell
Single
Williamson
Butler
Willits