Audi Melges 20 North American Championship officially kicks off

by International Audi Melges 20 Class Association on 13 Sep 2013 2013 Audi Melges 20 North American Championship (NAC) has officially kicked off and is all set to deliver three days of spectacular racing in Toronto, Canada, September 13-15. Eighteen bona fide teams are all set and ready to go after a great day of preparations, registration, practice and free Canadian Moosehead beer on the dock and really cool Canadian Maple Leaf regatta T-Shirts!

The pre-event day featured warm, partly cloudy conditions with some rain and a wind squall halting this afternoon's practice race. Food, drinks and warm hospitality from the Port Credit Yacht Club (PCYC) ushered in the opening ceremonies that also included a daily debrief coordinated by Andy Burdick with Melges USA. These debriefs are unique to Melges events as it helps the fleet to tune-up, share information and progress.

Teams have traveled from afar to compete representing the USA, Japan and a healthy representation from Canada's flourishing fleet. Top boats include newly crowned U.S. National Champion John Kilroy on Samba Pa Ti, Euro champ Michael Kiss on Bacio fresh back from a big victory in Porto Rotondo, Italy, and Corinthian U.S. National Champion Brian Hill on Atlas. Other teams to keep a close eye on are Corinthian Miami Winter Series Champion Jon Messenger on Black Sheep, Richard Davies on Section 16, Erywn Naidoo on Bohica and Paul Currie on Wild Deuces.

The International Audi Melges 20 Class Association (IAM20CA) is very proud to welcome several new owners competing for the first time in the fleet including Leo Vander Thillart on Team True Racing, Greg Berti on Liberti, Frank McLaughlin aboard CAN-254 and Hiroshi Kurakawa on Spray.

Racing commences on Friday, where the forecast is predicting windy conditions, which will set a great stage for an incredible first day of racing. Racing will continue on Saturday with the final laps to victory on Sunday. Post racing, the new 2013 Audi Melges 20 NAC Champion will be crowned. Melges swag has been set aside for winners on- and off-the-water!

Stay close to Official Audi Melges 20 Website as full details and race reports will be posted each day.

Full entry list

1.) Brian Hill, Atlas
2.) Michael Kiss, Bacio
3.) Rhonda Joyce, Batteries Not Required
4.) Jon Messenger, Black Sheep
5.) Erwyn Naidoo, Bacio
6.) Justin Quigg, Character 2.0
7.) David Pollock, DP
8.) Daniel Thielman, Kuai
9.) Greg Berti, Liberti
10.) John Taylor, Ninkasi
11.) John Kilroy, Samba Pa Ti
12.) Richard Davies, Section 16
13.) Hiroshi Kurokawa, Spray
14.) Frank McLaughlin, CAN-254
15.) Leo Vander Thillart, Team True
16.) Chris Rypkema, Umi Minor
17.) Bruce Broussard, Velocity
18.) Paul Currie, Wild Deuces