Audi Melges 20 Canadian Nationals- 14 teams assemble for first edition

by International Melges 20 Class Association on 19 Sep 2014 Continuing on its 2014 World Tour, the Audi Melges 20 fleet has ventured to the land of Mounted Police and Maple Syrup to compete in the first ever Canadian Open Championship. With warm hospitality provided by the Port Credit Yacht Club and great racing on the shores of Lake Ontario, fourteen Audi Melges 20 teams will duke it out over eight scheduled races to determine the champ...eh.

Sandwiched between the 2014 Worlds, North American Championship (San Francisco - October 1-3) and the upcoming 2015 Miami Winter Series, a number of Audi Melges 20 teams decided to cool their heels and pass on this event, but teams making the effort to attend will be treated to some 'hand-to-hand combat' style racing that the fleet is synonymous with. The Port Credit Yacht Club, just outside Toronto is prepped for the sailors with every aspect of a first class regatta in place for the weekend.

Hot off his domination of the U.S. Nationals in August, Cesar Neto Gomez on Portobello looks to continue his Napolean-esque march across North America and plant the Brazilian flag in Canadian territory, adding another 2014 title to his impressive trophy case. 2013 World Champion John Taylor aboard Ninkasi is in attendance and will be doing his best to fend off Gomez, and while the Canadians are happy to roll out the red carpet off the water, there are no such pleasantries on the race-course.

Recouping from a year of becoming a new father, Brian Hill and his Atlas team have quietly been racking up wins in Canadian waters all summer. Fresh off the largest ever Audi Melges 20 Worlds in Lake Garda, class veteran Rhonda Joyce on Batteries Not Required is used to jumping out of planes to get her adrenaline fix and could see her first podium finish. Paul Currie's Wild Deuces, who also competed in the Worlds and had some flashes of brilliance looks to take his strong team of Canadian 49er sailors to the top of the fleet. Class veterans John Messenger on Black Sheep, Erwyn Naidoo on Bohica and Justin Quigg on Character 2.0 join a host of other Audi Melges 20 newcomers for what should be a competitive event.

With a solid, windy forecast on tap, a fun yacht club with unlimited Moosehead Beer, Mount Gay Rum, Jello Shots and some other special treats from the hosts, the Canadian Nationals is ready to mount up and get under way...eh.

Full Entry List
1.) Brian and Melissa Hill, Atlas
2.) Rhonda Joyce, Batteries Not Required
3.) John Messenger, Black Sheep
4.) Erwyn Naidoo, Bohica
5.) Evan Oulahen, CAN-129
6.) Frank McLaughlin, CAN-254
7.) Justin Quigg, Character 2.0
8.) Tate Russack, Diesel
9.) Greg Berti, Liberti
10.) Bob Hayward, Manatea 20
11.) John Taylor, Ninkasi
12.) Cesar Gomes Neto, Portobello
13.) Jim Pearson, Slippery
14.) Paul Currie, Wild Event website