Star studded Key West in store for Melges 24 Class

by Joy Dunigan on 16 Jan 2009 It's going to be another magnificent year in Key West for the Melges 24 Class.

For more than a decade it has reigned supreme at Premiere Racing's mid-winter yachting getaway—Acura Key West 2009, presented by Nautica as the largest fleet in attendance. This sensational sportboat is rock solid and populated by sailing's hottest rock stars!

Two-time Melges 24 World Champion Vince Brun (San Diego, Calif.) on USA-553 Bailout; Chris Rast at the helm for Franco Rossini (Lugano, Switzerland) on SUI-521 Blu Moon; 2008 North American Ranking Champion Brian Porter (Winnetka, Ill.) on USA-649 Full Throttle; Gabrio Zandona helming Giovanni Maspero's (Como, Italy) legendary ITA-777 Joe Fly; and recently crowned Melges 24 Atlantic Coast Champion John Kolius (La Porte, Tx.) on USA-776 KO Sailing are among the top competitors expected to be in attendance.

Tough competition is also expected from 2008 Melges 24 World Champion Lorenzo Bressani on Lorenzo Santini's (Civitanova Marc, Italy) seriously fast ITA-715 Uka Uka Racing.

USMCA President and International Vice Chairman (US) Travis Weisleder (Fishing Bay, Va.) on USA-605 X-Carloan.com and Vice Chairman Riccardo Simoneschi (Genova, Italy) on his fierce Giacomel Audi Melges 24 are both looking to make a statement in Key West as well.

Although the Corinthian division is light (only four of the total 33 entries qualified), it is full of the best amateurs this fleet has to offer including Bruce Ayres (Newport Beach, Calif.) on USA-747 Monsoon who in fact, is the defending champion in Key West. Gary Schwarting (Naples, Fla.) on USA-622 Obsession recently won the Key Largo Regatta so, certainly he'll be one of Ayres' biggest challengers.

The U.S. Melges 24 fleet is always excited about Key West. Not only do some of the greatest in the International Class come out to play, but it's a wonderful place to welcome new members to the fleet — Neily Williamson (Oyster Bay, N.Y.) on USA-771 Millewa Milluna is brand new as well as Steve Howe (San Diego, Calif.) on USA-217 Warpath.

http://www.usmelges24.com/