The closing day of the Melges 24 Atlantic Coast Championship in conjunction with the 2013 Bacardi Miami Sailing Week proved the strength of yesterday's leader board with all three teams remaining on the podium. Italy's Riccardo Simoneschi, owner of Audi, impressed the fleet with two bullets today overtaking the lead with a five point spread to win the Melges 24 Bacardi Miami Sailing Week. Congratulations to Riccardo, Federico Buscaglia, Enrico Fonda, Lucia Giorgett, and Vittorio Rosso for three great days of racing in Miami.
Simoneschi took the bullet for race one with a huge win in open water. Betty, sailed by Jeremy Tudor had his best race of the day taking second, and Rob Britts on Hot Mess landed third. He too sailed his best in race one of the final day.
Don Wilson's Convexity took race two with a great jump off the line where he was able to reach the top mark first and continue for the win. Catharine Evans' Mojito continued to dominate as a Corinthian team in a highly competitive fleet taking second in race two, first for the Corinthian division, and fourth in the overall standings. Argyle Campbell sailing Rock 'N Roll took third for race two and finished in seventh place respectively.
Simoneschi, once again with the bullet in the final race of the day, proved why Audi holds the trophy for the overall winner. Wilson was the runner up in the final race, but was able to move from yesterday's third place standing to finishing the series in second overall. Richard Thompson's Black Seal helmed by Derek Ratteray was able to find a great line and finish in third.
The Bacardi Corinthian Division was extremely competitive over the entire three days. A very proud and extremely giggly Catherine Evan's Mojito took top honors. 'I started sailing about two years ago. Then one day on the way in after racing, I asked if I could drived and from there I was hooked. This was so much fun.' commented Evans just after awards.
U.S. Melges 24 Vice President and Southeast District Governor Rob Britts on Hot Mess happily claimed second while Curtis Jazwiecki on Gnarly Ruca claimed third.
Top five results (After seven races and one discard - Final):
OziOpti
OziOpti is all about 'getting kids in boats' and the Australian company supporting the introduction to of the world’s most popular junior sailing yacht, the 'International Optimist Dinghy' [More info]
http://www.oziopti.com.au
Performance Sailcraft Australia (Asia Pacific)
Laser builder Performance Sailcraft Australia has taken on the successful RS Sailboat range from Britain, and is now licensed to build and distribute all of the RS range in the Asia Pacific region. [More info]
http://www.lasersailing.com.au
Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week
Entries for the fourth annual Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week have opened! 4 days of racing, 5 days of fun – that is what you can look forward to from 3-7 September at Magnetic Island. [More info]
http://www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au