Melges 24 http://www.melges24.com/ Melges 24 en Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:58:58 -0500 bldware Melges 24 webmaster@melges24.com (IMCA) 5 en <![CDATA[Sheehy Lexus Of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship - Final Roundup Report]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Melges24/~3/63OGo5V9bPU/ 2009-11-03 15:50:00 The Sheehy Lexus 2009 Melges 24 World Championship, hosted by the Eastport Yacht Club, attracted fifty-one entries from across Europe and the US, with teams from the USA, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, Britain, the Netherlands, Norway and Ukraine congregating in Annapolis to challenge for one of yacht racing's most sought after world titles.
 
The two-day Pre-Worlds Regatta served to confirm the potency of the visiting contingent, with all three podium places occupied by visiting teams. The reigning World and European Champions from Italy, 'UKA UKA Racing' steered by Lorenzo Bressani, cemented their position as the pundits' favourite, with victory ahead of Italian America's Cup helmsman and 2001 Melges 24 World Champion, Flavio Favini on the Swiss registered 'Blu Moon' in second and 2006 World Champion Nico Celon from Italy on 'Fantastica' in third. The potential of the visiting teams at this regatta was equally matched by a raft of high profile US helms, each capable of producing a winning performance: US sailing legend Terry Hutchinson on 'Quantum Racing' came into this event as the current Melges 24 North American Champion, a title he won last year in Annapolis; Brian Porter on 'Full Throttle', the 2009 US National Champion had 2002 World Champion Harry Melges calling the shots; Bill Hardesty sailing with tactician Vince Brun aboard 'Event's Clothing/Atlantis', had a remarkable four Melges 24 World Title victories between them and serial one-design Champion Chris Larson sailing 'West Marine Rigging/New England Ropes' would bring an invaluable wealth of local knowledge to this event.
 
The fourteen-boat entry in Corinthian Division (no professionals allowed) at this year's Melges 24 World Championship always looked likely to produce a fierce battle for the top spot and when racing commenced the Corinthian competition more than lived up to expectations, with the overall lead closely fought and changing on a daily basis. The top Corinthian helms in Annapolis also made regular appearances at the front of the main fleet, with front runners Bruce Ayres aboard 'Monsoon' finishing fourth in the Pre-Worlds, reigning North American Corinthian Champion Othmar Mueller von Blumencron on 'Gannet', Henry Filter aboard 'Wild Child' from the host Eastport Yacht Club, David Dabney on Conejo Racing - Ocean Sailing Academy' and Germany's Christof Wieland on 'Unsponsored', all securing top ten race positions during the week. In fact it was the Corinthian Division that produced the more nail biting series climax, with Ayres and von Blumencron going into the final race tied on equal points. With these two unsurprisingly locked together in mortal combat for the whole of the race eleven decider, the final Corinthian result was only actually confirmed when a delighted Ayres surfed across the line, just a few boat lengths ahead of von Blumencron.
 
In the main eleven-race Championship series, it was Annapolis resident Chris Larson who eventually overcame the strength of the European squad, to claim the 2009 Melges 24 World Title with a race to spare. Whilst Larson sailed a consummately confident and ruthlessly consistent series, he was pushed almost all the way throughout the week by both the double European Championship winning 'Joe Fly' steered by Italian 470 Olympian Gabrio Zandona as well as Norway's Eivind Melleby at the helm of 'Full Medal Jacket'. Whilst not including a race win, Larson's impressive series scoreline meant that he took a seventeen-point lead into the final day. Despite appearing to already have at least one hand on the trophy, with the potential for three races to be sailed, he was still very much vulnerable to attack and would need to call on all his professional sailing experience to avoid a spectacular tumble from grace. In the end it was really all over before it began. Showing no outward signs of nervousness, in the first race of the day Larson calmly picked his way out of the mêlée at the heavily favoured pin end, before going on to record his fourth second place of the we ek. Meanwhile, Zandona, Bressani and Hutchinson all put themselves effectively out of contention by each attracting twenty percent Z-flag penalties and when the Race Officer announced that there would be no third race, a delighted Larson found himself in an unassailable position. With no reason to compete in the second and final race of the day, he and his delighted crew: Mike Wolfs, Curtis Florence and tactician Richard Clarke, could head ashore to begin to celebrate their 2009 Melges 24 World Championship victory.
 
Larson's departure left Zandona and Melleby to battle it out for second place and in 12-14 knots, just about the windiest conditions of the entire series, Melleby put his rival under real pressure with a confident second place performance in the last race. In contrast, Zandona had left himself a lot to do to hang on to his second overall with a first windward mark rounding in the low teens and had to use all of his legendary Italian guile to eventually pull back to sixth on the final run. Now tied on points with the Norwegian, Zandona was relieved to receive confirmation that the count back mathematics had worked in his favour and edged him into second overall. Meanwhile, an ecstatic Melleby was content to celebrate becoming the first ever Norwegian to claim a Melges 24 World Championship podium position. Two race wins apiece during this Championship for each Nico Celon and Flavio Favini, secured them fourth and fifth overall respectively, but must have surely left both helms ruing their damaging double-digit scores earlier in the week, which had ruled them out of a challenge for the overall victory.

Justin Chisholm
IMCA Event Press Officer

Full results are available from the Event Website.  A selection of high resolution images is available to official media outlets, please E-mail Fiona Brown for access details.

Provisional Overall Top Ten Overall

1.  Chris Larson - West Marine Rigging/New England Ropes - 46 points
2.  Gabrio Zandona - Joe Fly - 71 points
3.  Eivind Melleby - Full Medal Jacket - 71 points
4.  Nicola Celon - Fantastica - 73 points
5.  Flavio Favini - Blu Moon - 83 points
6.  Lorenzo Bressani - Uka Uka Racing - 85 points
7.  Brian Porter - Full Throttle - 100 points. 
8.  Carlo Fracassoli - Gullisara - 102 points
9.  Terry Hutchinson - Quantum Racing/Gill Race Team - 109 points
10. Bill Hardesty - Events Clothing/Atlantis - 119 points

Provisional Corinthian Top Five Overall

1.  Bruce Ayres - Monsoon - 28 points
2.  Othmar Mueller von Blumencron - Gannet - 28 points
3.  August Hernandez - High Voltage - 45 points
4.  David Dabney - Conejo Racing-Ocean Sailing Academy - 47 points
5.  Christof Wieland - Unsponsored - 48 points

THE SHEEHY LEXUS OF ANNAPOLIS 2009 MELGES 24 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IS SPONSORED BY:

Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis - Title Sponsor
Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis, the Baltimore-Annapolis area's ONLY Elite Lexus dealership for six consecutive years, will be the title sponsor of the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. To drive a Lexus is to experience the perfect blend of automotive performance and luxury. To own a Lexus from Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis is to experience something even more: a recognition of your personal needs that goes beyond offering expert service and convenient hours. Throughout the regatta, competitors and spectators will be able to inspect a wide range of Lexus luxury automobiles, which will be on display at the regatta center.

Pusser's Rum - Official Rum
The official rum for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Pusser's Rum. Rum and the sea are inseparable, and no rum is more akin to the sea and the sailor than Pusser's Rum - the Original Navy Rum. Pusser's continues its long standing association with the Melges 24 Class by hosting the mid-week Pusser's Painkiller Party as well as providing their legendary Pusser's Painkiller cocktails for the daily post racing gatherings and sponsoring the Pusser's WipeOut Of The Day competition.

Coral Reef Sailing Apparel & Gill - Official Apparel Sponsor
The official apparel sponsor for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Coral Reef Sailing Apparel (CRSA) and Gill. CRSA is continuing their strong commitment to the Melges 24 class by providing apparel for the World Championship. Items can be purchased online now, or on-site at the event. Gill is a brand leader in foul weather apparel specific to the sailing enthusiast.

Atlantic Yacht Rigging - Official Rigging Partner
The official rigging partner for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Atlantic Yacht Rigging. AYRS is a full service company that can help with any of your rigging or repair needs any time of the year. From wire swaging projects to fiberglass repair and everything in between, they will be onsite providing the best service to the entire fleet.

T2P.TV - Official Video Partner
T2P.TV is an National award winning media group specializing in live, on the water video production and online broadcasting of major sailing events for almost a decade. As such they have been involved in coverage of every facet of the sport from Jr. Sailing to the America's Cup. T2P.TV will be providing official video coverage of all the racing action throughout the Championship.

Official Beer
We thank Buck Distributors for supplying the official beers of the regatta. Miller Lite triple hops brewing, Peroni master-brewed, and Leinenkugel a legend in brewing for over 140 years. Cheers!

Tacktick - Official IMCA Media Output Sponsor
Tacktick, the world leader in wireless, solar powered electronics for the marine industry, is the Official Sponsor of the Media Output from the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. Tacktick's support will enable the class to provide media output in the form of daily press releases, live online reporting from the racecourse via the officialMelges 24 Blogas well as on the dock video interviews with the sailors.

Other supporting sponsors include the City of Annapolis, National Sailing Hall of Fame, .BoatingLaw.com, .Go!The Airport Shuttle, Boatyard Bar and Grill, Sam's Waterfront Cafe, APS Ltd, Pusser's Caribean Grille at the Annapolis Marriott Waterfront, Team Barbarians, RACEBOOK-US, North Sails One Design, SailFastPhoto, PantherVision, Chesapeake Bay Roasting Co, Bert Jabin's Yacht Yard, Sail 22, .Latis Yachting Solutions, Kathryn M Weber, CPA, MarinaCastTV, Fawcett Boat Supplies and .LaCroix Waters.  This event is also supported by the International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA), the US Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA) and the Annapolis Melges 24 Fleet #22.

The Melges 24 Class and Eastport Yacht Club are extremely proud to be partnered with these outstanding companies and sincerely thank them for their generous support of the 2009 Worlds.

###

Visit the official event website at www.melges24worlds2009.com for more information on the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. Also, visit the Eastport Yacht Club online.
.
The Melges 24 is designed by Reichel Pugh and considered the most unique one design sportboat in the world as well as one of the fastest-growing classes of high performance yachts. For more information, visit the official class websites of the International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)and .U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA).

For more information or press photos, please contact:

Justin Chisholm
International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)
2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Officer
+44 7769 938722
Skype: justinchis

Fiona Brown
International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)
Administrator
+44 (0) 7711 718470
Skype: fpbrown

Nancy Noyes
Eastport Yacht Club (EYC)
2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Officer
+1 (410) 263-5028

Joy Dunigan
U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA)
2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Chair
Class Communications Director | Executive Secretary
+1 (912) 398-5776
Skype: joysavannah

Tacktick Logo

 

]]> http://www.melges24.com/?p=news/&id=1737&utm_medium=rss <![CDATA[Melges 24 Sailing Video From Hungary]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Melges24/~3/7o96Rg1E9gM/ 2009-11-03 09:36:00 The Melges 24 Class is really taking off in Hungary where the Hungarian Melges 24 Class is now running an annual regatta series on Lake Balaton (where the water really is the same turquoise blue that you get off Key West!). They've also been getting some good coverage in the Hungarian sailing media including a segment on Hungarian TV.  To give you a feel of what's going on out in Hungary check out this Video Clip.

To find out more about sailing Melges 24 in Hungary E-mail Marta Weores, Hungarian Melges 24 Class Secretary. 

 

]]> http://www.melges24.com/?p=news/&id=1736&utm_medium=rss <![CDATA[Larson Holds His Nerve To Take The Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Melges24/~3/FcDER-gmmys/ 2009-10-31 19:00:00 The fifty-one international teams, who had travelled from across North America and Europe to compete in the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championships, finally got the welcome opportunity to race in double-digit breezes on the final day of the regatta. Despite the Championship racecourse being shrouded in appropriately Halloween style mist for most of the day, the Race Committee successfully banged off two four-leg races in winds which peaked at around fourteen knots. 
 
Chris Larson at the helm of 'West Marine Rigging/New England Ropes', who had led the regatta on-and-off for much of the week, took a seventeen point lead into the final day and looked odds-on to take the title. However with the potential for three races to be sailed today, Larson was always potentially vulnerable to attack from second placed Gabrio Zandona at the helm of the Italian entry 'Joe Fly'. 
 
If Larson was in fact feeling the pressure of leading the championship into the final day, there was no visible evidence at the start of the first race. With several of the top teams including Zandona, Lorenzo Bressani on 'Uka Uka Racing' and Terry Hutchinson on 'Quantum Racing/Gill Race Team' being called OCS soon after the start, Larson was able to pick his way skilfully through the melee at the pin and followed eventual race winner Nico Celon on 'Fantastica' off the line. Rounding the top mark with only Carlo Fracassoli on 'Gullisara' in front of him, Larson sailed a calm and composed race and went on to record his fourth second place of the week. Zandona, Bressani and Hutchinson all received twenty percent Z-flag penalties and following an announcement from the Race Officer that there would be no third race, Larson now found himself in an unassailable position. With no reason to compete in the second race of the day, he and his delighted crew: Mike Wolfs, Curtis Florence and tactician Richard Clarke, headed ashore to start to begin to celebrate their Melges 24 World Championship victory.
 
The focus was now on the four-way scrap for the remaining podium places between Zandona on sixty-five points, Norway's Eivind Melleby on 'Full Medal Jacket' on sixty-nine points, Celon on seventy-two points and Bressani on seventy-four points. Arguably the windiest of the Championship, the final race was a real humdinger with the top ten boats packed closely together at all the mark roundings. Jamie Lea on the British entry 'Team Barbarians' squeezed in for a near perfect start at the pin and led the early part of the beat. However it was Celon who led around the top mark, with Bill Hardesty on 'Events Clothing/Atlantis' in second and Lea in third. Hutchinson and Melleby rounded in fourth and fifth and as the leaders, all in close formation, ripped down wind for the first time, it was impossible to predict who would reach the gate first. In fact Celon managed to hold his lead, but only just from the charging Melleby who had blitzed into second place. The fierce battle for the lead between these two lasted until the finish, with Celon eventually prevailing and securing fourth overall. Meanwhile after rounding the first mark outside the top ten, Zandona was making steady progress up through the fleet. By the finish he was up to sixth, which tied him on points with Melleby. With the count back applied Zandona claimed second overall, with Melleby clearly delighted to have achieved the first ever Norwegian podium finish at a Melges 24 World Championship.
 
Without doubt Chris Larson is a popular and worthy winner of this Championship. Significantly, the only one of the top three whose scoreline did not include a race win, his amazing consistency in the capricious Annapolis conditions was simply too much for the opposition. Soaking in his victory tonight Larson said he was delighted to have won and relieved to have got through the final day on top. 'As it turned out the OCS scenario on the first race really meant the battle was over before it began. We were pretty surprised just after the start when we saw Hutchinson, Zandona and Bressani all going back. That pretty much handed control to us and there was the regatta over.' 

The battle for the 2009 Corinthian Melges 24 World Title proved to be equally and today brought a final showdown between California's Bruce Ayres sailing Monsoon and Annapolis local hero Othmar Mueller Von Blumencron sailing Gannet.  The battle for third place was also extremely close with just seven points ultimately separating third to seventh place.
 
Going into the day Ayres had a narrow four-point lead over Blumencron who was ten points ahead of Charleston's David Dabney in Conejo Racing-Ocean Sailing Academy and Germany's Christof Wieland aboard Unsponsored, both on 35 points.  Also tied on 39 points were Henry Filter, from Annapolis sailing Wild Child, and August Hernandez of Chicago aboard High Voltage whilst seventh placed Zetzema Wietze helming Gelikt for Carlo Vroon of the Netherlands, trailed them by just a further two points.
 
Wieland's chance of the final podium position evaporated on the start line of the penultimate race when he fell foul of the Z Flag and had to take a 20% penalty dropping him from 9th to 12th, his worst result of the series.  Von Blumencron made no such mistakes and led the Corinthian division from the off to take a confident win (and a ninth in the overall race) with Hernandez second, Dabney third, Witze fourth and the Ukrain's Vasily Gureyev sailing Null fifth.  Ayres crossed the line in sixth putting Von Blumencron into the overall lead by a single point going into the final race.  Dabney and Wieland were now tied for third with Hernandez fifth, Weitze sixth and Filter seventh.
 
For Ayres, one of the veterans of the Melges 24 class and a former North American Corinthian Champion, the Corinthian World title has long been unfinished business.  From the off it was clear he had no intention of letting the championship get away from his grasp this time around.  At the first weather mark he was lead Corinthian and managed to slide nicely over the top of a gaggle of open division boats whilst Von Blumencron, coming in on the port layline, was forced to dip and look for a slot rounding well into the teens.  Having gained separation Ayres confidently stretched away and whilst Von Blumencron did manage to pick off several of the open division boats between them he was never in a position to challenge for the lead.  Meanwhile the battle for third place was still raging.  On the water it was Filter who took the third in race eleven, but right behind him was Hernandez with Wieland fifth, Weitze sixth, Gureyev seventh, local boy Jim Golden eighth and a disappointed Dabney ninth.
 
Having finished first and second respectively Ayres and Von Blumencron were tied on 28 points with Ayres finally getting his hands on the much-coveted Henri Samuel Corinthian World Championship Trophy on count back.  Herenandez's fourth place was sufficient to give him the final podium position whilst a disappointed Dabney had to be content with fourth overall.
 
Speaking after racing a delighted Bruce Ayres was full of praise for his crew of Don Smith, Dave Navin and tactician Jon Pinckney.  "I'd like to particularly thank Don Smith and John Pinckney for hanging with me for ten years and of course Dave Navin.  We don't sail a lot but when we get to these regattas our goal is to hang in there with the best and we're delighted to have achieved that goal."
 
The International Melges 24 Class (IMCA) would like to take this opportunity to thank the Eastport Yacht Club, Regatta Chair Liz Filter, the Race Committee, the many volunteer club members, the International Jury, Title Sponsor Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis and all the supporting sponsors, suppliers and private donors who so generously contributed to make this regatta possible.  This was the first time that the City of Annapolis has granted a one-design regatta the right to use the downtown City Dock as a regatta centre and the Melges 24 fleet is proud to have been the first to enjoy such a privileged position.  "The sight of so many Melges 24s right in the heart of Annapolis and the added buzz of an army of spectators lining the dock morning and evening has made this a truly special event for us." Noted the IMCA's Fiona Brown.
 
The success of the partnership between the IMCA, Eastport Yacht Club and Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis was summed up perfectly by Paul Rochelle, General Manger of Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis who commented, "We are so proud to have been the title sponsor for the 2009 Melges 24 Worlds Championship.  What an amazing competition!  This has truly been an exciting partnership - between sailing's elite competitors and the Baltimore-Annapolis area's ONLY Elite of Lexus dealership!" Full results are available from the Event Website.  You can recap the regatta via the coverage posted from the race course on the IMCA Official Blog.  For further information or to request photographs or video footage please contact fiona.brown@melges24.com.

Top Ten Overall

1.  Chris Larson - West Marine Rigging/New England Ropes - 46 points
2.  Gabrio Zandona - Joe Fly - 71 points
3.  Eivind Melleby - Full Medal Jacket - 71 points
4.  Nicola Celon - Fantastica - 73 points
5.  Flavio Favini - Blu Moon - 83 points
6.  Lorenzo Bressani - Uka Uka Racing - 85 points
7.  Brian Porter - Full Throttle - 100 points.  
8.  Carlo Fracassoli - Gullisara - 102 points
9.  Terry Hutchinson - Quantum Racing/Gill Race Team - 109 points
10. Bill Hardesty - Events Clothing/Atlantis - 119 points

Corinthian Top Five Overall

1.  Bruce Ayres - Monsoon - 28 points
2.  Othmar Mueller von Blumencron - Gannet - 28 points
3.  August Hernandez - High Voltage - 45 points
4.  David Dabney - Conejo Racing-Ocean Sailing Academy - 47 points
5.  Christof Wieland - Unsponsored - 48 points

THE SHEEHY LEXUS OF ANNAPOLIS 2009 MELGES 24 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IS SPONSORED BY: 

Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis - Title Sponsor
Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis, the Baltimore-Annapolis area's ONLY Elite Lexus dealership for six consecutive years, will be the title sponsor of the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. To drive a Lexus is to experience the perfect blend of automotive performance and luxury. To own a Lexus from Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis is to experience something even more: a recognition of your personal needs that goes beyond offering expert service and convenient hours. Throughout the regatta, competitors and spectators will be able to inspect a wide range of Lexus luxury automobiles, which will be on display at the regatta center.

Pusser's Rum - Official Rum
The official rum for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Pusser's Rum. Rum and the sea are inseparable, and no rum is more akin to the sea and the sailor than Pusser's Rum - the Original Navy Rum. Pusser's continues its long standing association with the Melges 24 Class by hosting the mid-week Pusser's Painkiller Party as well as providing their legendary Pusser's Painkiller cocktails for the daily post racing gatherings and sponsoring the Pusser's WipeOut Of The Day competition.

Coral Reef Sailing Apparel & Gill - Official Apparel Sponsor
The official apparel sponsor for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Coral Reef Sailing Apparel (CRSA) and Gill. CRSA is continuing their strong commitment to the Melges 24 class by providing apparel for the World Championship. Items can be purchased online now, or on-site at the event. Gill is a brand leader in foul weather apparel specific to the sailing enthusiast.

Atlantic Yacht Rigging - Official Rigging Partner
The official rigging partner for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Atlantic Yacht Rigging. AYRS is a full service company that can help with any of your rigging or repair needs any time of the year. From wire swaging projects to fiberglass repair and everything in between, they will be onsite providing the best service to the entire fleet.

T2P.TV - Official Video Partner
T2P.TV is an National award winning media group specializing in live, on the water video production and online broadcasting of major sailing events for almost a decade. As such they have been involved in coverage of every facet of the sport from Jr. Sailing to the America's Cup. T2P.TV will be providing official video coverage of all the racing action throughout the Championship.

Official Beer
We thank Buck Distributors for supplying the official beers of the regatta. Miller Lite triple hops brewing, Peronimaster-brewed, and Leinenkugel a legend in brewing for over 140 years. Cheers!

Tacktick - Official IMCA Media Output Sponsor
Tacktick, the world leader in wireless, solar powered electronics for the marine industry, is the Official Sponsor of the Media Output from the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. Tacktick's support will enable the class to provide media output in the form of daily press releases, live online reporting from the racecourse via the officialMelges 24 Blogas well as on the dock video interviews with the sailors.

Other supporting sponsors include the City of Annapolis, National Sailing Hall of Fame, .BoatingLaw.com, .Go!The Airport Shuttle, Boatyard Bar and Grill, Sam's Waterfront Cafe, APS Ltd, Pusser's Caribean Grille at the Annapolis Marriott Waterfront, Team Barbarians, .RACEBOOK-US, North Sails One Design, SailFastPhoto,PantherVision, Chesapeake Bay Roasting Co, Bert Jabin's Yacht Yard, Sail 22, .Latis Yachting Solutions, Kathryn M Weber, CPA, MarinaCastTV, Fawcett Boat Supplies and .LaCroix Waters.  This event is also supported by theInternational Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA), the US Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA) and the Annapolis Melges 24 Fleet #22. 

The Melges 24 Class and Eastport Yacht Club are extremely proud to be partnered with these outstanding companies and sincerely thank them for their generous support of the 2009 Worlds.

###

Visit the official event website at www.melges24worlds2009.com for more information on the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. Also, visit the Eastport Yacht Club online.
.
The Melges 24 is designed by Reichel Pugh and considered the most unique one design sportboat in the world as well as one of the fastest-growing classes of high performance yachts. For more information, visit the official class websites of the International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)and .U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA).

For more information or press photos, please contact:

Justin Chisholm 
International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)
2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Officer
+44 7769 938722
Skype: justinchis 

Fiona Brown
International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)
Administrator 
+44 (0) 7711 718470
Skype: fpbrown

Nancy Noyes
Eastport Yacht Club (EYC) 
2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Officer
+1 (410) 263-5028 

Joy Dunigan
U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA)
2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Chair
Class Communications Director | Executive Secretary
+1 (912) 398-5776
Skype: joysavannah

]]> http://www.melges24.com/?p=news/&id=1735&utm_medium=rss <![CDATA[Follow The Final Day Showdown Live On The IMCA Blog]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Melges24/~3/cRfOswL1mt0/ 2009-10-31 09:31:00 We're all set for a great final day show down here in Annapolis with up to three more races to sail and all to play for at the top of the fleet.  Right now we've got light drizzle and light to moderate airs so its going to be another really challenging day for the teams as they battle it out for the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship.  Follow all the action live with the IMCA Team over on the Blog.

]]> http://www.melges24.com/?p=news/&id=1734&utm_medium=rss <![CDATA[Two Bullets For Favini But Larson Tightens Grip On The Sheehy Lexus Of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Melges24/~3/HMFWg-6oNvo/ 2009-10-30 19:26:00 After yet another light and fickle day on the water, the fifty-one boat international fleet competing at the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship, now appear resigned to racing in sub seven knot breezes. With day five of the regatta seeing maximum pressure of no more than six knots, the Race Committee certainly had to have their wits about them to get two races off as soon as the opportunities presented themselves.
 
So far this regatta, 2001 Melges 24 World Champion Flavio Favini aboard the Swiss registered ‘Blu Moon’, had produced an uncharacteristically lacklustre performance, but today Favini spectacularly returned to more familiar form; winning both of the day’s races in some style. Whilst still handicapped by a trio of double-digit scores earlier in the week, today’s sparkling performance leapfrogs the ‘Blu Moon’ crew from up eleventh to seventh overall tonight.
 
Going into day five, overnight leader Chris Larson on ‘West Marine Rigging/New England Ropes’, held a tenuous six-point lead over Norway’s Eivind Melleby on ‘Full Metal Jacket’. Topping the leaderboard at a major regatta such as this one produces its own special kind of mental pressure, but the experienced Larson certainly showed no signs of stage fright in the first race of the day, turning in a confident performance to take second place behind Favini and extending his winning margin at that stage to sixteen points. With second placed Melleby faltering with a sixteenth, an eighth for Gabrio Zandona on ‘Joe Fly’ was good enough to move the Italian team back up to second overall but only with a four point margin over Melleby.
 
In the second race of the day Andrew Wills on ‘Cracker Racing’ held on to his first mark lead until the end of the second beat when he finally succumbed to sustained pressure from both Favini and Lorenzo Bressani on ‘Uka Uka Racing’. On the final run Favini comfortably saw off Bressani’s advances and ghosted across the finish line to take his second victory of the day by a margin of several boat lengths. After a difficult start to the regatta reigning World Champion Bressani now sits in third overall and mathematically at least still within striking distance of retaining the title he won last year in Porto Cervo.
 
Zandona and Larson finished in quick succession in seventh and eighth place respectively in the final race, so the American skipper takes a fifteen-point advantage over his Italian rival into the last day of the Championship. Terry Hutchinson’s solid 5,3, scores today move him up to fourth overall, with a seven point gap back to 2006 Melges 24 World Champion Nico Celon in fifth.
 
The overall order in the Corinthian Division looks a little more established at the end of day five, with ‘Monsoon’ helm Bruce Ayres’s pair of Corinthian bullets giving him a four point delta over Othmar Mueller von Blumencron on ‘Gannet’. A four and a three for David Dabney on ‘Conejo Racing - Ocean Sailing Academy’ leaves him tied on points with Germany’s Christof Wieland on ‘Unsponsored’. Dabney is in third place by virtue of the count back with Wieland in fourth overall, four points ahead of Henry Filter on ‘Wild Child’.
 
The fervent collective hope amongst everyone here in Annapolis is that tomorrow’s much-heralded forecast of winds in the mid-teens comes to fruition for the final day of racing. With the Race Committee keen to try to complete their series by getting three races in before the 14.30 cut-off, the prospect of the World Title being decided in the last race of the regatta is a tantalisingly real one. 

Full results are available from the Event Website.  The championship runs until Saturday 31 October with a total of 12 races scheduled.  You can follow the racing live on the IMCA Official Blog.  For further information or to request photographs or video footage please contact fiona.brown@melges24.com.

Provisional Overall Top Ten After Six Races

1.  Chris Larson - West Marine Rigging/New England Ropes - 32 points
2.  Gabrio Zandona - Joe Fly - 47 points
3.  Lorenzo Bressani - Uka Uka Racing - 52 points
4.  Terry Hutchinson - Quantum Racing/Gill Race Team - 58 points
5.  Nicola Celon - Fantastica - 65 points
6.  Eivind Melleby - Full Medal Jacket - 66 points
7.  Flavio Favini - Blu Moon - 75 points
8.  Alan Field - WTF - 80 points
9.  Brian Porter - Full Throttle - 92 points
10. Carlo Fracassoli - Gullisara - 94 points

Provisional Corinthian Top Five After Six Races

1.  Bruce Ayres - Monsoon - 21 points
2.  Othmar Mueller von Blumencron - Gannet - 25 points
3.  David Dabney = Conejo Racing-Ocean Sailing Academy - 35 points
4.  Christof Wieland - Unsponsored - 35 points
5.  Henry Filter - Wild Child - 39 points

THE SHEEHY LEXUS OF ANNAPOLIS 2009 MELGES 24 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IS SPONSORED BY: 

Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis - Title Sponsor
Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis, the Baltimore-Annapolis area's ONLY Elite Lexus dealership for six consecutive years, will be the title sponsor of the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. To drive a Lexus is to experience the perfect blend of automotive performance and luxury. To own a Lexus from Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis is to experience something even more: a recognition of your personal needs that goes beyond offering expert service and convenient hours. Throughout the regatta, competitors and spectators will be able to inspect a wide range of Lexus luxury automobiles, which will be on display at the regatta center.

Pusser's Rum - Official Rum
The official rum for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Pusser's Rum. Rum and the sea are inseparable, and no rum is more akin to the sea and the sailor than Pusser's Rum - the Original Navy Rum. Pusser's continues its long standing association with the Melges 24 Class by hosting the mid-week Pusser's Painkiller Party as well as providing their legendary Pusser's Painkiller cocktails for the daily post racing gatherings and sponsoring the Pusser's WipeOut Of The Day competition.

Coral Reef Sailing Apparel & Gill - Official Apparel Sponsor
The official apparel sponsor for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Coral Reef Sailing Apparel (CRSA) and Gill. CRSA is continuing their strong commitment to the Melges 24 class by providing apparel for the World Championship. Items can be purchased online now, or on-site at the event. Gill is a brand leader in foul weather apparel specific to the sailing enthusiast.

Atlantic Yacht Rigging - Official Rigging Partner
The official rigging partner for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Atlantic Yacht Rigging. AYRS is a full service company that can help with any of your rigging or repair needs any time of the year. From wire swaging projects to fiberglass repair and everything in between, they will be onsite providing the best service to the entire fleet.

T2P.TV - Official Video Partner
T2P.TV is an National award winning media group specializing in live, on the water video production and online broadcasting of major sailing events for almost a decade. As such they have been involved in coverage of every facet of the sport from Jr. Sailing to the America's Cup. T2P.TV will be providing official video coverage of all the racing action throughout the Championship.

Official Beer
We thank Buck Distributors for supplying the official beers of the regatta. Miller Lite triple hops brewing, Peroni master-brewed, and Leinenkugel a legend in brewing for over 140 years. Cheers!

Tacktick - Official IMCA Media Output Sponsor
Tacktick, the world leader in wireless, solar powered electronics for the marine industry, is the Official Sponsor of the Media Output from the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. Tacktick's support will enable the class to provide media output in the form of daily press releases, live online reporting from the racecourse via the officialMelges 24 Blogas well as on the dock video interviews with the sailors.

Other supporting sponsors include the City of Annapolis, National Sailing Hall of Fame, .BoatingLaw.com, .Go!The Airport Shuttle, Boatyard Bar and Grill, Sam's Waterfront Cafe,APS Ltd, Pusser's Caribean Grille at the Annapolis Marriott Waterfront, Team Barbarians, .RACEBOOK-US, North Sails One Design, SailFastPhoto, PantherVision, Chesapeake Bay Roasting Co, Bert Jabin's Yacht Yard, Sail 22, .Latis Yachting Solutions, Kathryn M Weber, CPA, MarinaCastTV, Fawcett Boat Supplies and .LaCroix Waters.  This event is also supported by the International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA), the US Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA) and the Annapolis Melges 24 Fleet #22. 

The Melges 24 Class and Eastport Yacht Club are extremely proud to be partnered with these outstanding companies and sincerely thank them for their generous support of the 2009 Worlds.

###

Visit the official event website at www.melges24worlds2009.com for more information on the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. Also, visit the Eastport Yacht Club online.
.
The Melges 24 is designed by Reichel Pugh and considered the most unique one design sportboat in the world as well as one of the fastest-growing classes of high performance yachts. For more information, visit the official class websites of the International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)and .U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA).

For more information or press photos, please contact:

Justin Chisholm 
International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)
2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Officer
+44 7769 938722
Skype: justinchis 

Fiona Brown
International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)
Administrator 
+44 (0) 7711 718470
Skype: fpbrown

Nancy Noyes
Eastport Yacht Club (EYC) 
2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Officer
+1 (410) 263-5028 

Joy Dunigan
U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA)
2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Chair
Class Communications Director | Executive Secretary
+1 (912) 398-5776
Skype: joysavannah

]]> http://www.melges24.com/?p=news/&id=1733&utm_medium=rss <![CDATA[Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis On The Water With Us Today]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Melges24/~3/uMlWKlhrsjs/ 2009-10-30 13:56:00 We're delighted to have representatives of our title sponsor Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis out on the water with us today watching the racing at the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship.  Right now race eight has been completed and we've had a lengthy delay whilst we wait for some wind but the good news is that the breeze does seem to be filling in now and the race committee is starting to set up for race nine.  Switch over to the Blog and keep up with the live commentary from Justin Chisholm and the IMCA media team on the course.

]]> http://www.melges24.com/?p=news/&id=1732&utm_medium=rss <![CDATA[Thanks To CRSA and Gill For Keeping Us Warm And Dry Out Here]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Melges24/~3/aB_saHwAdIA/ 2009-10-30 12:40:00 A very big thank you from the IMCA media team to George and his team at our official apparel sponsor Coral Reef Sailing Apparel and Gill whose kit  is doing a great job of keeping us toasty warm out here on the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis Melges 24 World Championship course.  If  you are in Annapolis pop down to the CRSA stand next to the Regatta Tent on City Dock or alternatively visit the CRSA Web Site

]]> http://www.melges24.com/?p=news/&id=1731&utm_medium=rss <![CDATA[Larson Makes Sense Of Drifting Conditions To Regain The Lead At The Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis Melges 24 World Championship]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Melges24/~3/rhsL3sI_7o4/ 2009-10-29 19:02:00 When the fleet left for the racecourse on day four of the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship, collective hopes of any racing were pretty low. The promising early morning breeze out on the Chesapeake frustratingly evaporated almost immediately the fleet reached the race area. Consequentially a long wait ensued while the Race Committee tried to track down some more. The delay lasted until just before midday, when Principal Race Officer Jeff Borland decided to try to get the fleet racing around a four-leg racetrack, in breezes which averaged no more than five knots.
 
The lack of breeze at the start resulted in a somewhat chaotic scene as the barely moving boats struggled to build enough speed to get away from the line, as well as almost twenty boats being called over at the gun. Down at the favoured pin end, a battle of wills between Chris Larson on 'West Marine Rigging/New England Ropes', Terry Hutchinson on 'Quantum Racing' and Argyle Campbell on 'Rock n Roll resulted in all three boats losing out. After appearing to get away to near perfect starts Hutchinson and Campbell were called OCS and had to make an agonising return to restart. Larson meanwhile had stayed safe but had been forced to tack on to port to avoid the pin boat, resulting in a huge slow bear away behind a pack of starboard tackers. A few boat lengths up the line Norway's Eivind Melleby had made a clean start with good speed and as the OCS boats peeled off in front of him he suddenly had a clean lane in which to lead the fleet out to the left hand side of the beat.
 
As the fleet made their way slowly up the first leg, the left phase breeze initially helped those on the left to secure their position as the leading pack. However a twenty-degree right shift at the top of the leg caught out those who had gone furthest left; including early leader Melleby, who had to settle for rounding the windward mark just inside the top ten. It was Lorenzo Bressani helming 'Uka Uka Racing' who made the most sense of the variable conditions to round the top mark already well ahead of the pack. Second around was local Corinthian helmsman Henry Filter on 'Wild Child', just ahead of Alan Field on 'WTF' and Neily Williamson on 'Millewa Milluna'. Second placed overall Larson had made a good recovery from his difficult start to round in tenth place whilst at this stage Championship leader Gabrio Zandona on 'Joe Fly' was still struggling up the beat in a high twenties position.
 
As the race progressed, the breeze if anything got a touch lighter. Bressani turned his lead at the front of the fleet into a virtual horizon job, while Filter made the most of his local experience to make his second place secure at the finish. Field also refused to relinquish his third place and ghosted home ahead of Tony Beale on 'Scotch Bonnet' in fourth and Nico Celon on 'Fantastica' in fifth. Melleby meanwhile had managed to pick off a few boats and chalked up a satisfying sixth place which moved him up to second place overall tonight. With Zandona only managing to claw his way back to seventeenth, Larson's eventual twelfth was good enough for him to regain the overall lead. With two more days of scheduled racing to go Zandona now sits in third place, just four points behind Melleby, who in turn is further six points off Larson. Bressani's win takes him up to fifth overall.
 
Henry Filter's win in the Corinthian Division saw him close the gap on the top three helms and he lies in fourth tonight. Despite only managing a Corinthian seventh today Bruce Ayres on 'Monsoon'continues to hold the overall lead, but only on count back from Othmar von Blumencron on 'Gannet' in second. With this pair tied on nineteen points, third placed Christof Wieland on 'Unsponsored' is poised just two points behind to capitalise on any slip-ups from the top two.
 
Tomorrow's forecast is rumoured to call for similar weather to today, however there is some hope on the horizon for the racers, in the form of a local prediction of big breeze on Saturday's final day of racing. Certainly, given the frustrating conditions they have experienced so far, the fifty-one international teams competing at this Championship would surely welcome an opportunity for some real Melges 24 high-speed adrenaline action.

Full results are available from the Event Website.  The championship runs until Saturday 31 October with a total of 12 races scheduled.  You can follow the racing live on the IMCA Official Blog.  For further information or to request photographs or video footage please contact fiona.brown@melges24.com.

Provisional Overall Top Ten After Six Races

1.  Chris Larson - West Marine Rigging/New England Ropes - 22 points
2.  Eivind Melleby - Full Medal Jacket - 28 points
3.  Gabrio Zandona - Joe Fly - 32 points
4.  Lorenzo Bressani - Uka Uka Racing - 44 points
5.  Nicola Celon - Fantastica - 49 points
6.  Terry Hutchinson - Quantum Racing/Gill Race Team - 50 points
7.  Carlo Fracassoli - Gullisara - 55 points
8.  Brian Porter - Full Throttle - 56 points
9.  Alan Field - WTF - 57 points
10. Bill Hardesty - Events Clothing/Atlantis - 60 points

Provisional Corinthian Top Five After Six Races

1.  Bruce Ayres - Monsoon - 19 points
2.  Othmar Mueller von Blumencron - Gannet - 19 points
3.  Christof Wieland - Unsponsored - 21 points
4.  Henry Filter - Wild Child - 26 points
5.  Zetzema Weitze - Gelikt - 26 points

THE SHEEHY LEXUS OF ANNAPOLIS 2009 MELGES 24 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IS SPONSORED BY:

Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis - Title Sponsor
Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis, the Baltimore-Annapolis area's ONLY Elite Lexus dealership for six consecutive years, will be the title sponsor of the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. To drive a Lexus is to experience the perfect blend of automotive performance and luxury. To own a Lexus from Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis is to experience something even more: a recognition of your personal needs that goes beyond offering expert service and convenient hours. Throughout the regatta, competitors and spectators will be able to inspect a wide range of Lexus luxury automobiles, which will be on display at the regatta center.

Pusser's Rum - Official Rum
The official rum for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Pusser's Rum. Rum and the sea are inseparable, and no rum is more akin to the sea and the sailor than Pusser's Rum - the Original Navy Rum. Pusser's continues its long standing association with the Melges 24 Class by hosting the mid-week Pusser's Painkiller Party as well as providing their legendary Pusser's Painkiller cocktails for the daily post racing gatherings and sponsoring the Pusser's WipeOut Of The Day competition.

Coral Reef Sailing Apparel & Gill - Official Apparel Sponsor
The official apparel sponsor for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Coral Reef Sailing Apparel (CRSA) and Gill. CRSA is continuing their strong commitment to the Melges 24 class by providing apparel for the World Championship. Items can be purchased online now, or on-site at the event. Gill is a brand leader in foul weather apparel specific to the sailing enthusiast.

Atlantic Yacht Rigging - Official Rigging Partner
The official rigging partner for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Atlantic Yacht Rigging. AYRS is a full service company that can help with any of your rigging or repair needs any time of the year. From wire swaging projects to fiberglass repair and everything in between, they will be onsite providing the best service to the entire fleet.

T2P.TV - Official Video Partner
T2P.TV is an National award winning media group specializing in live, on the water video production and online broadcasting of major sailing events for almost a decade. As such they have been involved in coverage of every facet of the sport from Jr. Sailing to the America's Cup. T2P.TV will be providing official video coverage of all the racing action throughout the Championship.

Official Beer
We thank Buck Distributors for supplying the official beers of the regatta. Miller Lite triple hops brewing, Peroni master-brewed, and Leinenkugel a legend in brewing for over 140 years. Cheers!

Tacktick - Official IMCA Media Output Sponsor
Tacktick, the world leader in wireless, solar powered electronics for the marine industry, is the Official Sponsor of the Media Output from the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. Tacktick's support will enable the class to provide media output in the form of daily press releases, live online reporting from the racecourse via the officialMelges 24 Blogas well as on the dock video interviews with the sailors.

Other supporting sponsors include the City of Annapolis, National Sailing Hall of Fame, .BoatingLaw.com, .Go!The Airport Shuttle, Boatyard Bar and Grill, Sam's Waterfront Cafe, APS Ltd, Pusser's Caribean Grille at the Annapolis Marriott Waterfront, Team Barbarians, .RACEBOOK-US, North Sails One Design, SailFastPhoto, PantherVision, Chesapeake Bay Roasting Co, Bert Jabin's Yacht Yard, Sail 22, .Latis Yachting Solutions, Kathryn M Weber, CPA, MarinaCastTV, Fawcett Boat Supplies and .LaCroix Waters.  This event is also supported by the International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA), the US Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA) and the Annapolis Melges 24 Fleet #22.

The Melges 24 Class and Eastport Yacht Club are extremely proud to be partnered with these outstanding companies and sincerely thank them for their generous support of the 2009 Worlds.

###

Visit the official event website at www.melges24worlds2009.com for more information on the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. Also, visit the Eastport Yacht Club online.
.
The Melges 24 is designed by Reichel Pugh and considered the most unique one design sportboat in the world as well as one of the fastest-growing classes of high performance yachts. For more information, visit the official class websites of the International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)and .U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA).

For more information or press photos, please contact:

Justin Chisholm
International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)
2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Officer
+44 7769 938722
Skype: justinchis

Fiona Brown
International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)
Administrator
+44 (0) 7711 718470
Skype: fpbrown

Nancy Noyes
Eastport Yacht Club (EYC)
2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Officer
+1 (410) 263-5028

Joy Dunigan
U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA)
2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Chair
Class Communications Director | Executive Secretary
+1 (912) 398-5776
Skype: joysavannah

Tacktick Logo

 

]]> http://www.melges24.com/?p=news/&id=1728&utm_medium=rss <![CDATA[Blog Now Running And Race 7 Underway In Light Airs In Annapolis]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Melges24/~3/1awSgvjwlX8/ 2009-10-29 12:13:00 We're out on the race course and race 7 just got underway at the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis Melges 24 Worlds.  It's grey and chilly and the wind is very light.  The boats are about a third of the way up the beat so switch over to the Blog now and keep up with all the commentary from Justin and the IMCA team.

]]> http://www.melges24.com/?p=news/&id=1727&utm_medium=rss <![CDATA[A Huge Thank You To Pusser's Rum For A Great Party Night]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Melges24/~3/1D4b3M-c_OU/ 2009-10-29 09:28:00 Last night competitors at the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship enjoyed a fantastic Pusser's Painkiller Party thrown by Pusser's Rum at the Annapolis Marriott Waterfront.  Pusser's are a long standing supporter of the Melges 24 class and as always Jamie and his Pusser's Team did a fantastic job of hosting the Melges 24 crews for a great night out.  Pusser's sponsorship of the event also includes the Pusser's Wipeout Of The Day Award, which is presented at the nightly awards ceremonies where the competitors also get to enjoy more great Pusser's Painkiller cocktails.

Click here to find out how to make your own Pusser's Painkillers

]]> http://www.melges24.com/?p=news/&id=1726&utm_medium=rss