North American Audi Melges 20, 2014 - Classic racing conditions

2014 North American Audi Melges 20: Fleet revel in classic racing conditions. IM20CA/Simonson

2014 Audi Melges 20 North American Championship © Erik Simonson

San Francisco, Calif. - With a leisurely 12:30 p.m. start time allowing for some much needed rest and late breakfasts at the popular New Morning Café in Tiburon, the Audi Melges 20 fleet was feeling relaxed and fresh in preparation for a possible four-race race day. After a quick look on the bay, the only action on the water were the harbor seals poking their heads on the surface looking to get a glimpse of the Race Committee and race boats staying at the dock waiting for raceable wind.

2014 Audi Melges 20 North American Championship © Erik Simonson

Unusually warm temps again stifled any sort of thermal that the bay area is well known for and continuing with solid calls, PRO Bruce Golison sent the fleet out in an all-or-nothing attempt to see what might develop around noon. What looked like another light northerly quickly clocked to the preferred 270 direction and saw a steady build allowing for three stellar late afternoon races.

2014 Audi Melges 20 North American Championship © Erik Simonson

In the first race of the day, Race Four in a scheduled series of eight, it was Michael Kiss's Bacio winning the pin end of the starting line, taking full advantage of the left side as it was heavily favored throughout the day to lead from wire to wire nabbing the win. As the day progressed, a building but steady breeze in the 13-15 knot range with a strong flood current gave the right side of the course a decided advantage. With a strong pin favored line in Races Two and Three, the boats that were able to resist the temptation to win the pin and get on port tack early to the right side of the course, which ultimately would paid off later up the beat.

2014 Audi Melges 20 North American Championship © Erik Simonson

John Kilroy's Samba Pa Ti claimed Race Five to come within another top five finish to clinch the North American title, while Michael Kiss 'bookendend' the day with another bullet in Race Six to slide into second overall. The most impressive performance of the day however was Skip Shapiro and his Makaira team who battled well in Races Five and Six showed solid boats peed and tactics both upwind and down to nab a seven, four and slide into 11th overall.

2014 Audi Melges 20 North American Championship © Erik Simonson

Two scheduled races remain and with another relaxed start time of 12 pm slated for Day Three. Mother nature will have to cooperate with another solid set of conditions to allow for eight races. To this point in the regatta, the conditions, race management and post sailing social sessions at the San Francisco Yacht Club have been first class, and very deserving of a World Championship one year from now. If only the harbor seals can help provide some stellar conditions on Day Three, the Audi Melges 20 fleet should be in good hands.

2014 Audi Melges 20 North American Championship © Erik Simonson

Top ten results (After six races, one discard):

1.) John Kilroy-Paul Goodison-Jeff Reynolds, Samba Pa Ti; 1-1-2-2-1-[4] = 7
2.) Michael Kiss-Michael Buckley-Wille McBride, Bacio; 8-2-3-1-[10]-1 = 15
3.) Cesar Gomes Neto-Scott Nixon-John Bowden, Portobello; 7-4-1-3-[7]-3 = 18
4.) James Wilson-Jeremy Wilmot-Sam Rogers, Oleander; 5-5-[8]-8-2-5 = 25
5.) Richard Davies-Charlie McKee-Matt Pistay, Section 16; 4-13-9-4-3-7 = 27
6.) Alexis Michas-Mark Mendleblatt-Brian Ledbetter, Midnight Blue; 2-3-5-[15]-5-14 = 29
7.) Liam Kilroy-Steve Hunt-Erik Shampain-Stephanie Roble, Wildman; 6-[15]-12-6-6-2 = 32
8.) Marc Hollerbach-Jonathan McKee-Ben Allen, Fu; 9-6-[11]-5-9-10 = 39
9.) Rob Wilber-Anthony Kotoun-Dave Hughes, Cinghiale; 3-10-10-9-[12]-9 = 41
10.) Andrea Pozzi-Lorenzo Bressani, Bombarda Racing; 10-9-4-12-8-[22/DNF] = 43

2014 Audi Melges 20 North American Championship © Erik Simonson

2014 Audi Melges 20 North American Championship © Erik Simonson

2014 Audi Melges 20 North American Championship © Erik Simonson

2014 Audi Melges 20 North American Championship © Erik Simonson

2014 Audi Melges 20 North American Championship © Erik Simonson

2014 Audi Melges 20 North American Championship
Preliminary Cumulative Results

Related Articles

49er & 49er FX Europeans & Nacra 17 Worlds Day 1
British seize early 49er lead, Italy lead in the 49er FX and Nacra 17 classes at La Grand Motte British teams took the lead on both sides of the qualifying draw at the 49er European Championship on day one of the competition.
Posted today at 7:02 pm Celebrating throughlines in sailing leadership
And the sailing world's newest hero Back in mid-March, Sail-World celebrated singlehanded American skipper Cole Brauer as the sailing world's newest hero. Now, I'm now happy to report that we have another sailing hero, albeit one who carries a British passport.
Posted today at 5:00 pm One more storm, two more oceans
For the Global Solo Challenge 2023-2024 Louis Robein is the last competitor in the Global Solo Challenge 2023-2024 who is still at sea, we have all followed his resilience and determination as he faced trials and tribulations in his epic voyage.
Posted today at 4:37 pm The Lewin-LaFrance sisters on their Olympic dreams
A Q&A with Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance on their 49erFX campaign for Paris 2024 Sail-World checked in with sisters Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance, who are representing Canada in the 49erFX event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, via email, to learn more about their campaign.
Posted today at 10:46 am Sam Davies third in The Transat CIC
British sailor completes an international IMOCA podium in the race An exhausted but delighted Sam Davies sailed her Initiatives Coeur across the finish line of the Transat CIC at 20:11:37hrs local time NYC (00:11:37 hrs UTC) to take a well earned third place on the legendary solo race across the North Atlantic.
Posted today at 4:44 am Boris Herrmann second in The Transat CIC
Career best for the German skipper of Malizia - Seaexplorer Germany's Boris Herrmann sailed to the best result of his 14 year IMOCA ocean racing career so far when he finished in second place on The Transat CIC on Sunday.
Posted on 6 May 2024 Star Worlds comes to San Diego this September
SDYC has previously hosted the regatta eight times San Diego Yacht Club (SDYC) is excited to invite members of the International Star Class to compete at the Star World Championship in San Diego, CA with racing from September 8-13, 2024.
Posted on 6 May Pre-eminence
Not too hard to work out that I am unabashedly Australian Not too hard to work out that I am unabashedly Australian. Hope everyone is as proud of their country, as I am. Most folk I know seem to be.
Posted on 6 May 49er & 49erFX Europeans Preview
Fischer & Pequin looking for a good result on home waters The 49er and 49erFX European Championships, along with the Nacra 17 World Championship are about to start in La Grande Motte in the South of France, with sailors looking to make the most of the final major test before this summer's Olympic Games.
Posted on 6 May Yoann Richomme wins The Transat CIC
IMOCA Paprec Arkéa first to arrive into New York French skipper Yoann Richomme made it two back-to-back solo Transatlantic wins today when he brought his PAPREC ARKÉA across the finish line first on the historic Transat CIC race across the North Atlantic from Lorient in Brittany to New York.
Posted on 6 May