2014 Melges 32 Gold Cup - About to set off

by Melges 32 on 7 Nov 2014 2014 Melges 32 Gold Cup - Fifteen Melges 32 teams representing seven countries prepare for three days of rock solid performance racing in prelude to Worlds.

Newton had his laws of motion, Occam had his razor, and on the eve of the longest standing Melges 32 regatta since 2006, the International fleet has its own proven theory; when the best sportboat in the world combines with the most talented amatuer owner drivers and pro sailors, it makes for the best one-design racing.

As the northern part of the U.S. gets ready for the first polar vortex of the season, the Melges 32 fleet has applied the final preparatory touches in the sunshine, surf and crystal blues waters of South Beach. Won by few and longed after by many, the Melges 32 Gold Cup is hosted by Coconut Grove Sailing Club and continues to bring out the best sailors from all corners of the globe. Argo, owned by Jason Carroll has enrolled Gold Cup Veteran and mainsheet trimmer Anthony Kotoun. 'I have had the opportunity to participate in every Gold Cup on record, and it is a huge regatta, second only to the Worlds. Every team is firing on all cylinders, ready to rock the Gold Cup is when the tires hit the road,' stated Kotoun, perfectly summing up the Gold Cup experience.

With a strong North American fleet presence, teams representing Sweden, Italy, Germany, Bermuda, Switzerland and Japan will once again see a strong fleet with a winner who can put together strong teamwork, the ability to sail fast, clean and smart around the course. Poised to do well are reigning U.S. National Champion Dalton DeVos on Delta, and Richard Gorannson's Inga From Sweden. For the first time ever, three class World Champions are also in present - William Douglass on Goombay Smash (2011), John Kilroy on Samba Pa Ti (2012), and Jason Carroll (2013). Miami Winter Series Champion Alec Cutler on hedgehog, Deneen Demourkas on Groovederci and Ryan DeVos on Volpe clearly could also be easily deemed potential front runners.

Other class standouts include the very Italian Edoardo Lupi aboard Torpyone. A frequent international competitor and solid class stalwart, Lupi has arrived in Miami with tactician extraordinaire Lorenzo Bressani. With boat partner/owner Massimo Pessina, Lupi is thrilled to be racing in Miami. He finished fifth at the 2012 Palma de Mallorca Worlds is looking to find top form again. Also sailing with Edoardo is his son Lorenzo, making it a true family event along with several other teams in the fleet.

Leading the charge to set up square, fair race courses is the fearless PRO, Anderson Reggio and his legion of volunteers from the Coconut Grove Sailing Club. Always friendly, and seeking the advice of competitors to help ensure the best racing possible, Anderson and his team have been able to provide stellar racing this season, and are ready for the Gold Cup to be settled on the water, without any unneeded drama.

Full Entry List:

1.) Jason Carroll/Cameron Appleton, Argo
2.) Dalton DeVos/Jonathan McKee, Delta
3.) William Douglas/Chris Larson, Goombay Smash
4.) Deneen Demourkas/Flavio Favini, Groovederci
5.) Alec Cutler/Richard Clarke, hedgehog
6.) Richard Goransson/Morgan Larson, Inga From Sweden
7.) Naofumi Kamei/Manu Weiller, Mamma Aiuto!
8.) Dieter Schoen/Markus Wieser, MOMO
9.) Pierre Casiraghi/Vasco Vascotto, Robertissima
10.) John Kilroy/Paul Goodison, Samba Pa Ti
11.) Alessandro Rombelli/Terry Hutchinson, STIG
12.) Chris Wientjes/John Dane, Stormvogel
13.) Keisuke Suzuki/Bill Hardesty, Swing
14.) Edoardo Lupi and Massimo Pessina/Lorenzo Bressani, Torpyone
15.) Ryan DeVos/James Spithill, Volpe