Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series - Simply impeccable
by Joy Dunigan on 10 Feb 2013
47 Audi Melges 20s, 2013 Miami Winter Regatta Joy Dunigan
The 2013 Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series second event, hosted by Coconut Grove Sailing Club (CGSC), delivered an impeccable first day of racing with steady 10-15 knots of breeze, constant lead changes, and beautiful 80 degree weather. The fleet completed three of the five races scheduled with Paul Reilly's Red Sky Sailing Team taking the overall lead with a consistent 6-4-3 heading into the second and final day of racing.
The first race of the event went to Rob Wilber and his crew on Cinghiale. Wilber had a great start and took an early lead heading into the first mark. Wilber was in a constant battle with runner up Marc Hollerbach's Fu and third place finisher Ryan DeVos on Volpe. Wilber was able to keep his first place position all the way to the finish.
Race two gave a clean start with the exception to six boats OCS due to the shifty wind. Several boats reached the mark simultaneously with Reilly and DeVos looking to have good course position. The gate was a turning point as Michael Kiss on Bacio took the lead and extended for the win leaving the rest of the fleet far behind.
The third and final race of the day began with a course change due to a wind shift. John Brown's Blind Squirrel had a great start and led the race at the mark. Richard Davies' Section 16 punched it into the gate, taking the lead where he would remain, landing a first place finish for the last race of the day. James Wilson's Oleander went head-to-head with Davies for the lead, but settled as runner up followed by the overall leader Reilly in third.
The complete Corinthian Division in Miami also enjoyed a great day of competitive racing. Daniel Theilman's Kuai remained consistent in the middle of the fleet and held strong to finish first in line. John Brown on Blind Squirrel came up with a huge fourth place finish overall in race three to land the day well positioned finishing as second Corinthian. John Arendshorst and team on Blink 20/20 also battled today with a great start in the second race of the day earning him a thirteenth which helped him solidify a third place position in the all-amateur division.
Post racing the beer began to flow and food was set out to prepare for the much anticipated informative Melges USA debrief officiated by Andy Burdick with commentary from Owners Reilly, Richard Davies, Marc Hollerbach, and tacticians Sam Rogers, Chris Rast, and Jonathan Mckee. Racing will reconvene tomorrow for the final two races to the Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series event number two. The breeze is expected to be even stronger and the competition is sure to remain fierce as 47 boats continue their run for a stop on the podium.
Top Ten Results (After Three Races)
1.) Paul Reilly, Red Sky Sailing Team; 6-4-3=13
2.) Marc Hollerbach, Fu; 2-6-7=15
3.) Richard Davies, Section 16; 4-16-1=21
4.) Michael Kiss, Bacio; 15-1-5=21
5.) Marcus Eagan, Cajun Underwriting; 11-5-6=22
6.) Travis Weisleder, Lucky Dog/Gill Race Team; 5-8-10=23
7.) Ryan DeVos, Volpe; 3-3-20=26
8.) Rob Wilber, Cinghiale; 1-10-17=28
9.) John Kilroy Jr., Samba Pa Ti; 18-2-8=28
10.) James Wilson, Oleander; 8-25-2=35
Top Five Corinthian (After Three Races)
1.) Daniel Theilman, Kuai; 12-28-11=51
2.) John Brown, Blind Squirrel; 21-30-4=55
3.) John Arendshorst, Blink 20/20; 20-13-28=71
4.) Ryan Pesch, Atlas; 28-27-18=73
5.) Andy Rasdal, Valkyrie; Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series 2013
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