Bacardi Sailing Week - Wild and windy day for Audi Melges 20 Fleet

by Melges 20 on 8 Mar 2014 Day two at Bacardi Miami Sailing Week 2014 (BMSW) hosted by Coconut Grove Sailing Club and supported by Melges USA, delivered premium racing conditions and two more races for a total of five complete.

Now seated first overall is reigning Audi Melges 20 World Champion John Taylor on Ninkasi. Submitting a three - five score, Taylor has managed a slim two point lead over second place finisher Drew Freides on Pacific Yankee. BMSW marks the second time that Friedes has effectively sailed in the class. 'Today was really intense - the most fun I've ever had sailing - these boats are so awesome.' commented Freides post racing. 'The last leg of the last race was a bit hairy, but so much fun.'

In third overall is Russ Lucas on Shimmer. Rounding out the top five overall is Corinthian division leader Cesar Gomez Neto on Portobello in fourth, and Michael Kiss on Bacio finishing fifth.

The first race of the day commenced on time under spectacular sunshine, a steep chop with big wave action and plenty of breeze. The breeze was rock steady all day but intense, ranging 16-20 with gusts periodically up to 22-24. Fresh out of the gate in Race Four, John Kilroy's Samba Pa Ti turned up the heat for an amazing win. Alessandro Rombelli's STIG moved up to finish second on the final downwind leg, while Taylor took third.

Race Five saw the breeze build a little more generating a series of general recalls at the start. Finally teams went racing shortly after noon with Kiss coming on strong all race long to take the win. Although Jay Golison on It's All Good crossed the finish line in second, his ZFP set him back to tenth, leaving Richard Davies' Section 16 firmly in third.

In the Corinthian Division, Gomez Neto acquired a twelve - seven, while top Miami Winter Series forerunner John Brown on Blind Squirrel submitted a four - four. He is the only other team today besides Kiss to turn in a single-digit card.

Later on in the evening, teams gathered for the famous Melges Rocks party! Teams rocked the night away to an awesome DJ and free beer and wine - complements of Melges USA! Teams from everywhere attended making it the biggest and most incredible bash in the grove. Buy a Melges 20 today and get in on the full experience!

Lastly, a very special thanks to the Flat Stanley/Hooligan Racing Team for having the IM20CA Press team aboard. The news, videos, updates from the course and photos would not be possible if it weren't for your generosity and kindness for having us aboard.

Racing continues on Saturday and early forecast predictions indicate a lighter, yet wonderful final day of competition. The Race Committee will attempt to complete three final races.

Top ten results (After five races)

1.) John Taylor/Bill Hardesy, Ninkasi; 9-13-5-3-5 = 35
2.) Drew Friedes/Charlie Smythe, Pacific Yankee; 15-4-2-10-6 = 37
3.) Russ Lucas/Harry Melges, Shimmer; 4-15-3-6-13 = 41
4.) Cesar Gomez Neto/Paulo Ribiero, Portobello; 11-2-10-12-9 = 44
5.) Michael Kiss/Chris Rast, Bacio; 21-5-13-5-1 = 45
6.) Richard Davies/Charlie McKee, Section 16; 10-1-15-19-3 = 48
7.) John Kilroy/Paul Goodison, Samba Pa Ti; 3-3-4-1-42/DNF = 53
8.) Marc Hollerbach/Jonathan McKee, Fu; 8-7-7-10-16/ZFP = 57
9.) Wes Whitmyer/Max Fraser, Slingshot; 22-6-8-21-8 = 65
10.) Bruce Ayres/Mike Buckley, Monsoon; 6-8-16-23-17 = 70