CSR Marine Melges 24 U.S. Nationals - Spectacular conditions on Day 1

by U.S. Melges 24 on 8 Aug 2015 Four races kicked off the 2015 CSR Marine Melges 24 U.S. National Championship hosted and supported by the Columbia Gorge Racing Association (CGRA) with six-time Melges 24 U.S. National Champion Brian Porter on Full Throttle acquiring an impressive early lead. 'This place is amazing and really, really beautiful.' said Porter post racing. 'Today's racing was really great. We enjoyed every minute of it. I'm so glad we're here.'

Porter's very good friend of many, many years, Bruce Ayres on Monsoon is seated second overall. The top five or six teams remained consistent over all four races, changing positions back-and-forth on various occasions. The match-racing heat was on between Porter, Ayres, local favorites Dan Kaseler on Raptor Deck and Jeff Madrigali at the helm of Kevin Welch's Mikey, Doug Wilhelm on Wilco and Herb Cole on Judo Chop.

And as for the conditions - simply stunning and gorgeous. The initial forecast called for light air, and by Cascade Locks standards that meant a pleasant, ever-building 10-12 knots of breeze for the start. As racing progressed the breeze steadily increased to 20+ with gusts a little higher at times making for the ultimate ride. The extra-long downwind runs made Melges 24 planing all the more sweeter. Combine that with sunshine and warm temps and what have you got? Thirty-six very happy, grinning ear-to-ear Melges 24 sailors - a little on the exhausted side, but nonetheless very, very happy.

In the heated Corinthian division, the racing was really intense and close. This crown is very much up for grabs and Matt MacGregor aboard Good Enough proved just that. MacGregor along with some of his very best friends and crew - Keith Hammer, Katie Belden, Genevieve Livingston and Ren Chandler owned the day. Relatively new to the fleet, John Rahn on Pickled Beets got around the course in good shape to end the day second Corinthian and eighth overall. Completing the top three all-amateur standings is Canadian Mike Bond on Honey Badger.

Apres' racing it was back to the docks for beer and free refreshments, special thanks to CGRA.

More racing is scheduled for Saturday with a noon time start, Pacific Time.

Top Ten Results (Preliminary - After Four Races)

1.) Brian Porter, Full Throttle; 1-3-1-2 = 7
2.) Bruce Ayres, Monsoon; 6-2-3-3 = 14
3.) Dan Kaseler, Raptor Deck; 2-6-6-4 = 18
4.) Doug Wilhelm, Wilco; 4-4-5-5 = 18
5.) Jeff Madrigali/Kevin Welch, Mikey; 17-1-2-1 = 21
6.) Herb Cole, Judo Chop; 3-15-4-6 = 28
7.) Matt MacGregor, Good Enough; 9-5-7-8 = 29
8.) John Rahn, Pickled Beets; 8-13-9-14 = 44
9.) Mike Bond, Honey Badger; 12-7-15-11 = 45
10.) Duncan Stamper, Goes to Eleven; 7-14-11-13

Top Ten Corinthian Results (Preliminary - After Four Races)

1.) Matt MacGregor, Good Enough; 29 pts
2.) John Rahn, Pickled Beets; 44 pts
3.) Mike Bond, Honey Badger; 45 pts
4.) Duncan Stamper, Goes To Eleven; 45 pts
5.) Fraser McMillian, Swish; 51 pts
6.) Gord Galbraith, Lekker; 55 pts
7.) Kevin Clark, Smokin'; 58 pts
8.) Manfred Schmiedl, Brio; 65 pts
9.) Duane Yoslov, Looper; 76 pts
10.) Marc Noel, Eclipse; 77 pts.