U.S. East Coast fleet action. Image copyright JOY/International Melges 32 Class Association.
by Joy Dunigan
The Melges 32 fleet raced four races in Rye, N.Y. today, kicking of the 2010 East Coast Championship hosted by the American Yacht Club. Leading the overall results is Kip Meadows with tactician Andy Horton on roXanne by a sizable margin. In second overall is Bob Hughes’ Heartbreaker with Charlie Ogletree on tactics, while tactician Anthony Kotoun guided Michael Dominguez’s Bronco to a third overall seating.
Bob Hughes' Heartbreaker. Image copyright JOY/International Melges 32 Class Association.
Under mostly cloudy skies, light and variable breezes, the first race of the day was all about Geoff Pierini’s Shakedown. With Max Skelley calling tactics, Pierini led the race almost from the very beginning extending his lead on each leg taking the finish line in stride. Englishman Stuart Simpson on Team Barbarians got off on the right foot finishing second and Dominguez took third.
The start of race four. Image copyright JOY/International Melges 32 Class Association.
Race two revealed Rod Jabin on Ramrod as winner, bringing on a little more breeze and sunshine for the start. Meadows claimed second overall, a nice recovery from this sixth place finish in race one. In third, was Alex Jackson on Leenabarca.
The third race of the day saw Jeff Ecklund and his STAR team find their winning groove. It was a vast improvement, after he was called OCS in race one and two.
Ecklund refused to give in and took an early lead in the race. Tactician Jeff Madrigali helped Ecklund find the right lane on the first downwind run to advance for the win. 2009 Melges 32 World Champion Pieter Taselaar on Bliksem also upgraded his performance to finish second. In third, was Meadows.
Michael Dominguez's Bronco. Image copyright JOY/International Melges 32 Class Association.
Finally, Jason Carroll on Argo grabbed an early lead in race four of the day. With a subtle increase in the breeze, Carroll was strong from start to finish. Meadows, once more held position finishing second, while Jackson claimed third.
PARTY! BLIKSEM! PARTY!
Pieter Taselaar's Bliksem. Image copyright JOY/International Melges 32 Class Association.
Immediately following the racing, AYC Member and fellow business partner Thijs Hovers to Pieter Taselaar, pulled out all the stops for an amazing after-racing Bliksem party. A complete spread of food — pasta salads, meats, vegetables and a selection of deserts was presented. A complete bar was also on hand offering beer, wine and mixed cocktails were for the Melges 32 fleet.
Stuart Simpson's Team Barbarians. Image copyright JOY/International Melges 32 Class Association.
Teams found their way out on the lawn and terrace overlooking Milton Harbor, enjoying great food and drink. It was the perfect end to a long day of very competitive racing.
Saturday promises the exciting Take A Junior Sailing Day along with three additional races and stronger breezes.
Overnight leader Kip Meadows on roXanne, in the thick of it. Image copyright JOY/International Melges 32 Class Association.
Top Five Results
1.) Kip Meadows/Andy Horton, roXanne; 6-2-3-2 = 13
2.) Bob Hughes, Heartbreaker; 5-5-5-4 = 19
3.) Michael Dominguez/Anthony Kotoun, Bronco; 3-7-7-6 = 23
4.) Phil Lotz/Russ Salvestri, Arethusa; 10-6-4-5 = 25
5.) Pieter Taselaar/Jeremy Wilmot, Bliksem; 4-9-2-11 = 26
East Coast Championship Fleet Action. Image copyright JOY/International Melges 32 Class Association.
Melges 32 US East Coast Championship
