Melges 32 U.S. National Championship - Dalton DeVos crowned champion

by Melges 32 on 18 Aug 2014 2014 Melges 32 U.S. National Championship - Congratulations are in full order for the youngest helm in the fleet - Dalton DeVos aboard Delta, along with Jonathan McKee as tactician and crew comprised of Morgan Reeser, Zach Hurst, his father Doug, John Wallace, Linda Lindquist-Bishop and Cody Schlub as they are the new Melges 32 U.S. National Champions. In second overall, one point behind is Ryan DeVos on Volpe. Double National Champ Jason Carroll aboard Argo finished out the podium in third.

The final day of racing was a solid down-to-the-wire occasion. Prior to the start, Ryan was ahead by three with Dalton in second and Carroll in third. With two final races scheduled, the fight for the trophy was on.

In Race Seven of an eight part series, Richard Goransson's Inga From Sweden pulled to the front of the pack to lead the fleet around the track from start to finish. Goransson commented post racing, that in comparison to yesterday, he felt that they had great boat speed, hence why they excelled in the final two heats. Right behind, a serious battle for position between Dalton, Rob Wilber on Cinghiale, John Kilroy on Samba Pa Ti and Carroll ensued. Dalton, right at the line took the second place spot from Wilber who finished third, and Carroll pulled up to finish fourth. Kilroy was fifth, Ryan took sixth and Chris Wientjes' Stormvogel had their best finish yet in seventh.

The set-up for the final race of the championship could not have been more intense. Dalton and Ryan now stood first and second with thirteen points each. Just after one o'clock, teams went racing for the final time with Dalton getting a great start off the pin end with Wientjes and Kilroy alongside. Proving that the left side paid big, Kilroy was first around the windward mark, followed by Dalton and Wientjes. At the gate, Dalton took over with Goransson in second, Kilroy third. Back upwind with a steady 10-15 knots of breeze, Kilroy regained the lead. Goransson was looking fast coming second when he rounded up on the hoist for a disastrous set for the final run to the finish. Kilroy was first across the line for his only race win of the series. Dalton won the championship coming second, followed by Ryan in third.

Awards were held post racing, publicly recognizing the crowning of the new champion. 'This was such a great weekend.' commented Dalton. 'This was one of the best events we've had. The racing conditions were great, the competition was intense and overall it was so much fun!'

What's up next?

The 2014 racing schedule carries on to the next destination - Miami. The Coconut Grove Sailing Club Cup happens on October 17-19, the Gold Cup takes place on November 7-9 and the Worlds happens on December 3-7.

Top five results
(Final - After Eight Races, One Discard)

1.) Dalton DeVos/Jonathan McKee, Delta; 4-[5]-2-1-1-3-2-2 = 15
2.) Ryan DeVos/James Spithill, Volpe; 5-1-1-2-2-2-[6]-3 = 16
3.) Jason Carroll/Anthony Kotoun, Argo; 1-2-[10/DSQ]-4-7-4-4-4 = 26
4.) Richard Goransson/Morgan Larson, Inga From Sweden; 3-3-4-3-[6]-6-1-6 = 26
5.) Rob Wilber/Mike Buckley, Cinghiale; 6-[8]-3-5-3-1-3-5 = 26

 2014 Melges 32 U.S. National Championship Preliminary Cumulative Results: