2014 Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series - Everything shimmers In Miami

by International Audi Melges 20 Class Association on 4 Nov 2013 After two days of no racing, the final day of the first event of the 2014 Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series (MWS) pushed full steam ahead completing four races. PRO Bruce Golison and team, along with the impeccable race committee and management support of Coconut Grove Sailing Club took the big breeze conditions in stride.

Teams were happy to show up for an earlier than normal start time of 09.00, which increased the possibilities that at least three races could take place.

Congratulations are in order for Russell Lucas aboard Shimmer, with tactician Harry Melges and Federico Michetti as crew, as they are 2014 MWS Event No. 1 Champions. Lucas' performance improved as the breeze built. With a 5-6 score in Races One and Two, it was Races Three and Four where the wind sustained momentum of no less that 18 knots that helped Lucas excel. His 1-2 end to the day sealed the win.

Tony Tabb's YOLO with Steve Sisson at the helm had an incredible day to complete the event in second overall. Tabb and team won Race One then finalized their position with a 5-5-8 to land their best overall finish ever in the class.

2014 Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series Event No. 1 Corinthian Champion Marcus Eagan on Cajun Underwriting took third overall honors. Reigning Series Champion Richard Davies on Section 16 was fourth, and John Kilroy's Samba Pa Ti rounded out the top five. Kilroy was also awarded top Master. Kent Haeger's Mach Schnell with his daughter Anne Haeger, Briana Provancha and Laura McKenna were named best top boat with female crew.

The Corinthian Division was hotly contested. Eagan took first, with John Brown's Blind Squirrel in second, followed by fleet newcomer Judah Rubin on ICE in third.

As always with the International Audi Melges 20 Class Association (IM20CA), we are grateful to all those individuals that make our events a great success. Coconut Grove Sailing Club, their staff, and most especially their league of dedicated volunteers rose to the occasion once more. PRO Bruce Golison and his experienced Race Management team again, proved that professional, quality racing is attainable, despite the conditions given. Melges USA is a pillar of support to the class in which we are always grateful.

And last, but certainly not least, the IM20CA is especially thankful to every owner who attended the Worlds Primer event, as they are what makes the Audi Melges 20 the very best in the world.

Top ten results (FINAL - After Four Races)

1.) Russell Lucas/Harry Melges III, Shimmer; 5-6-1-2 = 14

2.) Tony Tabb/Mike Buckley, YOLO; 1-5-5-8 = 19

3.) Marcus Eagan/Marc Eagan, Cajun Underwriting; 3-16-4-3 = 26

4.) Richard Davies/Charlie McKee, Section 16; 6-9-7-4 = 26

5.) John Kilroy/Jeremy Wilmot, Samba Pa Ti; 7-3-13-5 = 28

6.) Alessandro Rombelli/Paul Goodison, STIG; 8-4-6-12 = 30

7.) Marc Hollerbach/Jonathan McKee, Fu; 4-2-11-15 = 32

8.) Michael Kiss/Chris Rast, Bacio; 12-12-8-1 = 33

9.) Cesar Gomes Neto, Portobello; 9-22-2-7 = 40

10.) Travis Weisleder/Scott Nixon, Lucky Dog/Gill Race Team; 2-23-10-10 = Event website