William 'Doug' Douglas | Goombay Smash, ©2011 JOY | International Melges 32 Class Association
Alex Jackson | Leenabarca, ©2011 JOY | International Melges 32 Class Association
by Joy Dunigan
Positioned in first and second respectively, Doug Douglas’ Goombay Smash (Chris Larson, tactician) and Alex Jackson’s Leenabarca (Rob Greenhalgh, tactician) lead the twenty-one strong Melges 32 fleet with five points a piece. Steve Howe’s Warpath (Morgan Larson, tactician) finished nicely three points behind to place third overall.
Melges 32 Start of Race 2, Day 1, ©2011 JOY | International Melges 32 Class Association
Geoff Pierini | Shakedown, ©2011 JOY | International Melges 32 Class Association
Light breezes, warm temps, a Course 4 at 180 degrees and lumpy, bumpy seas set the stage under partly- to mostly-cloudy skies for the opening day. Great Britain’s Peter Rogers on Highlife (Ruaridh Scott, tactician) managed to get off the line well taking the early lead with Douglas and Jackson fighting for the top spot slot. While Rogers maintained his lead, Jackson and Douglas also had second place runner Howe to contend with. Howe, like Rogers, held steadfast and true the entire race defending his fleet position. Rogers took the win with Howe in second and Jackson beat Douglass for third. Defending Key West Champion John Kilroy on Samba Pa Ti (Nathan Wilmot, tactician) finished fifth sporting a new paint job, new gear, new everything for his return to Key West and the 2011 Melges 32 racing circuit.
John Kilroy | Samba Pa Ti, ©2011 JOY | International Melges 32 Class Association
William 'Doug' Douglas | Goombay Smash, ©2011 JOY | International Melges 32 Class Association
The final race of the day was a Course 5 providing lighter winds, and the seas sort of calmed as well. With a shift right at the start of race two, a couple of teams found themselves instantly in trouble being called OCS. Douglas was quick to advance up the first beat to round behind race leader Geoff Pierini on Shakedown (Gavin Brady, tactician). The key moment of the race took place at the last leeward gate when Douglas had just barely caught up with Pierini, the two splitting the difference. Pierini’s mistake was that he chose the left gate, while Douglas took the right and the right is where the pressure was. Taking full advantage of the situation, Douglas and Jackson gained substantial ground back upwind to surpass Pierini, finishing first and second. Phil Lotz on Arethusa (Ed Baird, tactician) moved up to take third, while Pierini slipped to fourth and Oscar Strugstad’s Dawn Raid (Andy Beadsworth, tactician) rounded out the top five.
William 'Doug' Douglas | Goombay Smash, ©2011 JOY | International Melges 32 Class Association
MELGES 32 MEDIA
Friends, family and fans of the Melges 32 are able to tune-in and enjoy the racing action and developments from a distance, special thanks to Sail 22’s all new Sailing Updates. They anticipate bringing as-it-happens coverage from the water. A very special thanks to Steve Rhyne's Mojo Team.
Oscar Strugstad | Dawn Raid, ©2011 JOY | International Melges 32 Class Association
TOP TEN RESULTS (After two races)
1.) William Douglas/Chris Larson, Goombay Smash; 4-1 = 5
2.) Alex Jackson/Rob Greenhalgh, Leenabarca; 3-2 = 5
3.) Steve Howe/Morgan Larson, Warpath; 2-6 = 8
4.) Oscar Strugstad/Andy Beadsworth, Dawn Raid; 6-5 = 11
5.) Phil Lotz/Ed Baird, Arethusa; 11-3 = 14
6.) John Kilroy, Jr./Nathan Wilmot, Samba Pa Ti; 5-10 = 15
7.) Joel Ronning/Bill Hardesty, Catapult; 9-8 = 17
8.) Joe Woods/Paul Goodison, Red; 8-9 = 17
9.) Yukihiro Ishida/Tony Rey, Yasha Samurai; 13-7 = 20
10.) Peter Rogers/Ruaridh Scott, Highlife; 1-20 = 21
Melges 32
