Melges 32 U.S. National Championship preview

by International Melges 32 Class Association on 14 Aug 2014 Melges 32 U.S. National Championship 2014 is being held in Newport, R.I. The North American Melges 32 fleet is looking forward to an amazing event this weekend for the ninth running of its U.S. National Championship. Hosted by Sail Newport, based at the Newport Shipyard and strongly supported by Melges USA, championship racing is scheduled to take place over three days beginning Friday, August 15 with PRO Anderson Reggio at the helm.

Nine dynamic teams are in attendance, ready to compete for one of the continent's most coveted Melges 32 titles. Among them is reigning World and defending U.S. National Champion Jason Carroll and his Argo team - a presence that is noticeably competitive on the race course and off. With a fresh and youthful semi-new crew list, Anthony Kotoun takes over tactical duties for Argo in Newport.

In the opposite corner are a host of teams that are equally capable of taking on the challenge. Richard Goransson's Inga From Sweden with Morgan Larson as tactician has been growing ever-the-more fine tuned while racing on the European circuit, and is now ready to have a go at the open title.

Former U.S. National Champion Ryan DeVos on Volpe, along with his cousin Dalton DeVos on Delta always come prepared. For the first time ever in the Melges 32 Class, America's Cup Champion Skipper James Spithill will race, calling tactics alongside Ryan. Dalton remains the youngest helm in the fleet and well supported by the extraordinary Jonathan McKee as tactician.

2014 Spring Challenge winner and 2012 World Champion John Kilroy on Samba Pa Ti will also be present, fully equipped with steady tactician Paul Goodison.

The Melges 32 Class is thrilled to have Malcolm Gefter's Celeritas and most especially, Michael Dominguez's Bronco back on the track - both brilliant competitors in their own right. Chris Wientjes with his wildly fun and charismatic Stormvogel team from Louisiana, have come to play and race hard. Newcomer Rob Wilber on Cinghiale, known best for his very active racing program in the Audi Melges 20 class, is sailing the Melges 32 for the very first time this weekend.

The 2014 U.S. National Championship is just the first step toward the World Championship taking place on December 3-7 where more than twenty-five teams are expected to compete. Prior to and playing the part of a perfect lead up series - the Coconut Grove Sailing Club Cup happens in October (17-19) and the Gold Cup Regatta in November (7-9), all in Miami.

Full entry list
1.) Jason Carroll-Anthony Kotoun, Argo
2.) Michael Dominguez-Christian Olander, Bronco
3.) Malcolm Gefter-Willem Van Waay, Celeritas
4.) Rob Wilber-Mike Buckley, Cinghiale
5.) Dalton DeVos-Jonathan McKee, Delta
6.) Richard Goransson-Morgan Larson, Inga From Sweden
7.) John Kilroy-Paul Goodison, Samba Pa Ti
8.) Chris Wientjes-Brent Barnett, Stormvogel
9.) Ryan DeVos-James Spithill, Event website