Bacardi Miami Sailing Week - Field takes lead in Melges 24´s

by Joy Dunigan on 9 Mar 2013 Day two at Bacardi Miami Sailing Week turned out to be far better than expected, in terms of the weather that is. Eighteen Melges 24s enjoyed three races under glorious sunshine and moderate, but quite shifty breeze.

Coming out on top, with four races on the scoreboard is a National and North American Melges 24 Champion - Alan Field on WTF, followed by Riccardo Simoneschi on Audi in second and in third, is Don Wilson on Convexity.

After a short on land postponement, the first race of the day got away clean with the exception of one OCS casualty. Cary Seigler's Rocksteady rounded the first mark hungry for speed with a very intense Melges 24 fleet hot on his transom. Bryce Ayres' Monsoon and Bent Dietrich's Kleine Rainbow were side by side down the spreader leg with many new teams finding clean air and a new gear at the offset.

Riccardo Simoneschi's Audi in particular took advantage of the shifty 7-9 knots of breeze to advance forward and take the win. Field and Dietrich went head to head for the finish with WTF getting the upper hand for second. Dietrich settled for third.

In race two, Seigler looked to possibly get his due as he lead from the start through the next two legs only to be conquered in the end by Field. Seigler settled for second, while Simoneschi and crew on Audi finished in third place.

The final race of the day went to Alec Cutler aboard Hedgehog. Strong from the start, Cutler blistered the course with Wilson challenging the most right at the finish. Cutler easily took the win, followed by Wilson, and Simoneschi's Audi remained consistent finishing third once again.

The Corinthian Division is still going strong with no changes in the leader board. Catherine Evan's Mojito is still the overall leader. Rob Britts and crew on Hot Mess finished fourth in race one and holds steady in second while Curtis Jazwiecki on Gnarly Ruca remains in third.

Teams rounded out the day on the lawn at Coconut Grove Sailing Club chit chatting about the day's racing, but also warming up the next great challenge - The Melges Rocks Party! Everyone that attended the Melges Performance Sailing DeBrief presented by EFG Bank received an awesome Melges Rocks t-shirt. Mr. Moe's was packed - standing room only for teams that love their Melges boats and simply can't get enough of the greatest sportboat competition in the world! The U.S. Melges 24 Class Association sends special thanks to our friends in Zenda as well as Bacardi Rum for providing the great refreshments at the Melges Rocks Party! What an awesome party!

Saturday will be the final day of racing in Miami. Stay close as truly it will be the grand finale to what has been an amazing event!


Top five results (After one race)
1.) Alan Field, WTF; 2-2-1-6=11
2.) Riccardo Simoneschi, Audi; 8-1-3-3=15
3.) Don Wilson, Convexity; 3-9-4-2=18
4.)Cary Siegler, Rocksteady, 7-5-2-10=24
5.) Catherine Evans, Mojito; 1-15-5-4=25

Top three corinthians (After one race)
1.) Catherine Evans, Mojito; 1-15-5-4=25
2.) Rob Britts, Hot Mess; 6-4-6-16=32
3.) Curtis Jazwiecki, Gnarly Ruca; 14-12-11-11=48