Melges 32 Virgin Islands Sailing Series - Caribbean Championship

by Joy Dunigan on 26 Apr 2013 The 2013 Otterbox® Melges 32 Virgin Islands Sailing Series (M32VISS) consists of three events and is the first ever of its kind for the progressive sportboat class. Act one of the three-part series, the BVI Sportboat Regatta took place on February 21-24, hosted by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Virgin Gorda. The second event was held in conjunction with the International Rolex Regatta in the U.S. Virgin Islands back on March 22-24. The 2013 Caribbean Championship happens this weekend on the luxurious and very private Peter Island.

The big showdown. The grand finale. The final act. Call it what you like, but the last event of the M32VISS, the first ever Caribbean Championship hosted at Peter Island Resort and Spa will be by far the most sensational of the three-part racing circuit. With seven teams scheduled to appear, it will be the most climactic of all.

Two events are complete (Virgin Gorda and St. Thomas) and Jason Carroll's Argo stands tall, currently leading the overall rankings. He leads by one point, ahead of Roberto Tomasini Grinover on Robertissima in second. Behind by two and equal in points, is Ryan DeVos on Volpe in third and Richard Goransson's Inga from Sweden in fourth. St. Thomas Rolex Regatta Champion Dalton DeVos on Delta rounds out the top five.

Here is where it gets interesting. Carroll and Goransson have packed up and headed for Europe to race the Audi Sailing Series and World Championship in September, leaving Tomasini Grinover and the two young DeVos' to duke it out for the grand prize - a beautifully designed, Melges 32 inspired, one-of-kind, Series Championship trophy designed by GreenVI in the British Virgin Islands.

The Caribbean is fast becoming a hot bed for Melges 32 racing and more growth is expected in the coming years. Proudly representing the local fleet is Jaime Torres on Smile and Wave and Mark Plaxton on INTAC. The International Melges 32 Class Association (IM32CA) is thrilled to welcome, for the first time ever Puerto Rico's Luis Juarbe on SOCA.
Also returning to the stage is Alex Jackson on Leenabarca. In Virgin Gorda last February, Jackson was a hot contender and its certain he will mix things up again.

Three days of racing are scheduled starting on Friday and concluding on Sunday, April 28, eight races are slated to take place.

The IM32CA has also proud to be partnered with Presenting Gold Level Sponsors Seaborne Airlines and INTAC Global Investments.

Full entry list
1.) Dalton DeVos/Jonathan McKee, Delta
2.) Mark Plaxton/Richard Clarke, INTAC
3.) Alex Jackson/Paul Goodison, Leenabarca
4.) Jaime Torres/Alex Shafer, Smile and Wave
5.) Luis Juarbe/Chris Mason, SOCA
6.) Roberto Tommasini Grinover/Vasco Vascotto, Robertissima
7.) Ryan DeVos/Ed Baird, View Full Crew List here

Top five overall series ranking (After two events)
1.) Jason Carroll, Argo = 197 pts.
2.) Roberto Tommasini Grinover, Robertissima = 196 pts.
3.) Ryan DeVos, Volpe = 194 pts.
4.) Richard Goransson, Inga From Sweden = 194 pts.
5.) Dalton DeVos, Delta = 193 View Full Ranking Results here