Melges 32 Miami Winter Regatta - Classic conditions on final day

by Melges 32 on 3 Mar 2014 The 2014 Melges 32 Miami Winter Regatta in Miami last and final day of competition brought on classic conditions with top honors going to Roberto Tomasini Grinover's Robertissima. Aboard with Tomasini Grinover was tactician Vasco Vascotto, Federico Michetti, Giovanni Cassinari, Gunnar Bahr, Simone Spangaro, Stefano Nicolussi and Nevio Sabadin - they are 2014 Melges 32 Miami Winter Regatta Champions!

Landing second overall is newly appointed Class President Jason Carroll and his Argo team, while third place went to John Kilroy's Samba Pa Ti.

Joe Woods' Red team had a phenomenal regatta taking fourth overall. The last time Woods competed in the class was more than a year and a half ago. He returned to Miami with some fresh, brand new crew proving that his Red Melges 32 has still got it where it counts.

Tony Buckingham on Ngoni, who only just became active over the 2013 racing season, completed the event nicely in fifth overall making this his best finish yet in the Melges 32 Class.

Up next for the North American fleet is the final stage of the 2014 Miami Winter Series - the Spring Challenge taking place on 4-6 April. More teams are expected to attend as everyone ramps up their programs in an effort to capture the top trophy later in the year, that of World Champion. Teams are encouraged to make plans to attend all Miami events sooner rather than later. Miami is busy all year long, so make your arrangements promptly and register now

The 2014 Miami Winter Regatta was hosted at Miami Beach Marina and proudly supported by Coconut Grove Sailing Club and Melges USA.

Cutler leads overall 2014 Miami Winter Series

The 2014 Melges 32 Miami Winter Series consists of three events - Quantum Key West Race Week (19-24 January), Miami Winter Regatta (28 February - 2 March) and the first ever Spring Challenge (4-6 April). Fifteen teams are currently competing in the Series with Bermuda's Alec Cutler on hedgehog in first place. Cutler won the prestigious Key West Race Week and competed this weekend at the Miami Winter Regatta. This combined participation puts him ahead by five points over Deneen Demourkas' Groovederci in second. Richard Gorranson on Helly Hansen Inga from Sweden is currently ranked third. Fleet newcomers Dieter Schoen on Momo from Germany is fourth and Chris Wientjes on Stormvogel proudly rounds out the top five.

View the full 2014 Miami Winter Series ranking here.

Extra special thanks all around

First and foremost, the IM32CA is very thankful for the loyal support every owner gives to the class. In particular, the generosity and kindness expressed by Roberto Tomasini Grinover and Jason Carroll this week was incredible. Thanks to both gentleman for hosting really amazing cocktail parties to officially kick off the season during the Miami Winter Regatta. Special thanks to Alec Cutler, and again to the Argo team, in particular program captains Chad Corning and Jim Condon for enabling the Class access to the race course in an effort to bring everyone back home the latest updates with photos and videos via social media.

Special thanks to all the staff at Miami Beach Marina, Melges USA and Coconut Grove Sailing Club (CGSC). As always, the incredible staff of CGSC has been wonderful - every member of the Race Committee is dedicated to making Melges events unparallelled.

And lastly, but certainly not least, special thanks are in order for the very professional Anderson Reggio as PRO. The originally scheduled eight race series was completed in full over the course of three days.

Top five results (Final - After eight races, one discard)

1.) Roberto Tomasini Grinover/Vasco Vascotto, Robertissima; 2-1-[4]-2-2-4-2-[7] = 17
2.) Jason Carroll/Cameron Appleton, Argo; 6-3-[7]-1-1-1-4-3 = 19
3.) John Kilroy/Paul Goodison, Samba Pa Ti; 1-[11]-9-9-3-5-4 = 35
4.) Joe Woods/Chris Draper, Red; [13]-2-3-6-10-8-6-2 = 37
5.) Tony Buckingham/John Kostecki, Ngoni; 7-8-8-4-4-6-[11]-1 = 38

View full results here.
View full crew list here.
View official Yachtscoring event website here.
View full photo gallery – JOY here.