Quantum Key West Race Week - Cutler grabs two bullets in Melges 32

by International Melges 32 Class Association on 21 Jan 2014 At Quantum Key West Race Week, with two races complete, Alec Cutler's Hedgehog stands tall in the overall lead. Only three points behind in second, is Dalton DeVos on Delta, and Deneen Demourkas' Groovederci sits third.

After a prolonged on-land postponement, the first race of the day got underway just past one o'clock under gorgeous sunny, blue skies and mild temperatures. Calm seas greeted the fleet for the first two heats of the event. With the breeze barely above class minimum, Cutler's hedgehog returned to the Melges 32 class in amazing form. Although the breeze was light and tricky, tactician Richard Clarke and the hedgehog crew found their way across the finish line first.

Race Two, the last and final heat of the day, saw more intense racing as Demourkas was first to the top mark, chased by Richard Goransson's Inga From Sweden, then DeVos' Delta. DeVos gained big downwind to take the gate in first just ahead of Goransson, followed by Demourkas in third. Another lead change at the top mark gave way to Goransson taking full command, and hot on his heels were DeVos and Demourkas. Cutler moved up a space to round fourth, but saved his best move for the final downwind run. With less than 100 yards to go, Cutler came in strong from the left side to beat out DeVos, who successfully gained again on the run. Goransson on the far right, slid in to steal second place only moments before DeVos. Demourkas was fourth and new boat owner Dieter Schoen on Momo from Germany finished fifth.

Racing continues on Tuesday, where rain is predicted, winds still light and variable.

The Melges 32 fleet in Key West is by far one of the most diversified. With teams from five countries, the fleet could not be prouder to welcome them from all over the world, but in particular new teams - Dieter Shoen from Germany, Eduardo Souza-Ramos from Brazil and Chris Wientjes from New Orleans, La. The IM32CA is thrilled to have them racing and can count on seeing more of them at the forthcoming Miami Winter Regatta and the Spring Challenge.

This past Saturday and Sunday, the Hedgehog team hosted the fleet at Charlie Mac's for food beer, football and some debriefing with Andreas Josenhans. The IM32CA would like to extend a very special thank you to Alec and Laura Cutler for embracing the Melges 32 Class.

Full Results (After two races)

1. Alec Cutler/Richard Clarke, hedgehog; 1-1 = 2
2. Dalton DeVos/Jonathan McKee, Delta; 2-3 = 5
3. Deneen Demourkas/Cameron Appleton, Groovederci; 3-4 = 7
4. Richard Goransson/Morgan Larson, Helly Hanson Inga From Sweden; 6-2 = 8
5. Dieter Schoen/Markus Wiesser, Momo; 4-5 = 9
6. Eduardo Souza-Ramos/Andrea Fonseca, Phoenix; 5-6 = 11
7. Chris Wientjes/Benz Faget, Stormvogel; 7-7 = Event website