European Melges 32 Teams head for Acura Key West

by Joy Dunigan on 16 Jan 2009

Melges 32 Gold Cup Regatta 2008 (Photo Joy Dunigan) International Melges Class Association http://www.melges32.com/

Twenty Melges 32s from six nations have signed up and confirmed spots on the starting line this upcoming week in beautiful Key West, Florida for Premiere Racing's famous Acura Key West, presented by Nautica. It is true. The Melges 32 is an over-achiever. In 2008, it was the third largest fleet in Key West. In 2009, it takes another step forward in its impressive four year history as the second largest in attendance.

The International contingency outstanding with 2008 Melges 32 East Coast Champion Joe Woods from Torbay, UK on GBR-700 Red with tactician Morgan Reeser . . . Peter Rogers from Lymington, UK on GBR-121 Highlife with Robert Larke calling tactics.

And lady helm Kate Mullin driving for John Sherlock from Port Credit, Canada on CAN-134 Arkle, employs the superior talents of tactician Richard Clarke . . . and Italy is proudly represented by Carlo Alberini out of Pesaro, Italy on ITA-186 Calvi Network, with tactician Lorenzo Bodoni.

Among the US entrants are the usual suspects — International Melges 32 Class President, defending Key West Champion and reigning U.S. National Champion Jeff Ecklund on USA-32 STAR with Harry Melges calling tactics . . . 2008 Gold Cup Champions Marty Kullman and Mike Carroll on USA-131 New Wave with Quantum's Scott Nixon as tactician . . . Bob Hesse on USA-153 Lake Effect with tactician Max Skelley . . . and John Taylor on USA-1315 Ninkasi with Anthony Kotoun calling tactics.

All are Key West regulars and back for more fun winter-time racing.

Upholding the true soul of the Melges 32 Class is Jason Carroll on USA-128 Argo and his team of John Baxter, Molly Baxter, Chad Corning, Brian Fox, Daniel Litchfield, Patrick Mauro and Ben Bardwell. They are the only complete and total Corinthian outfit in the Key West Melges 32 fleet this year.

Star-studded and filled with potential, the International Melges 32 fleet looks forward an amazing Acura Key West 2009.

2009 International Melges 32 Racing Schedule

Acura Key West also happens to be the Melges 32 Midwinter Championship; the second of three Winter Series regattas, and it's the first event of the 2009 Melges 32 USA Sailing Series. Seven, carefully selected, high-profile regattas make up an exciting North American racing circuit.

In Europe, the Melges 32 continues to be a very hot ticket. Fleets are expected at the Primo Cup in Marseille, France on 12-15 February and Copa Del Rey in August as well as another phenomenal line-up of European Sailing Series events sponsored once more by Audi beginning in April.

The grand finale will be in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy at the 2009 Melges 32 World Championship, 20-27 September.

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