Key West 2010- Melges 32 Day 2 - Kilroy into the lead

by Melges Association on 20 Jan 2010 John Kilroy (Malibu, Calif.) on USA-13131 Samba Pa Ti toppled Rod Jabin (Annapolis, Md.) on USA-206 Ramrod from his overnight leader seat to lead the Melges 32 fleet after two days of racing in Key West Race Week. Kilroy, with Stu Bannatyne as tactician, powered up his Melges 32, persistent for a positive result. One very slim point behind in second place is Jabin and in third, is Bob Hughes (Macatawa Bay, Mich.) on USA-208 Heartbreaker.

With lighter breezes and noticeably cooler temps, the Melges 32 fleet fired off another two fantastic races for a total of four completed.

Race one of the day presented Carlo Alberini’s (Pesaro, Italy) on ITA-186 Calvi Network charging the mark hard for an early lead, followed by Geoff Pierini (Perth Amboy, N.J.) on USA-178 Shakedown in second and Alex Jackson (Riverside, Conn.) on USA-174 Leenabarca in third. Downwind was where the racing was really tight as both Pierini and Hesse continually challenged to overtake Alberini for the top spot. At the final mark of the race, Hesse overtook Alberini for only a quick moment. On the final run, Alberini turned on the speed rebounding back into first and winning the race. Pierini moved up to finish second, Hesse slid back settling for third.


A Course 5, bearing of 065 at 1.8 nm was prescribed by the RC for race two where Kilroy delivered a carbon copy of yesterday’s win, this time managing to hold off the likes of Marty Kullman (Tampa, Fla.) on USA-131 New Wave, Phil Lotz (Newport, R.I) on USA-211 Arethusa, Bob Hesse (Elma, N.Y) on USA-153 Lake Effect and Jabin. Kullman was by far the strongest of competitors coming across the finish line one-and-a-half minutes behind Kilroy to take third place. Hughes moved up for second, followed by Jabin in fourth.

At least two more races can be expected for tomorrow. Kilroy leads the fleet in first with Jabin only one point away from the first place position and Bob Hughes had a great day moving up to third overall.

Wednesday is hump day at Key West Race Week where not only great racing is expected to continue (where warmer temperatures and partly sunny conditions are also in the forecast), but preparations are also in full swing for the famous Melges Rocks Party being held Island Dogs Bar at 8:30 p.m - until...

Top ten Melges 32 results
1.) Samba Pa Ti, John Kilroy; 14-1-4-1 = 20
2.) Ramrod, Rod Jabin; 3-3-11-4 = 21
3.) Heartbreaker, Robert Hughes; 5-12-6-2 = 25
4.) Calvi Network, Carlo Alberini; 12-5-1-8 = 26
5.) New Wave, Marty Kullman; 2-13-13-3 = 31
6.) Star, Jeff Ecklund; 1-9-15-10 = 35
7.) Lake Effect, Bob Hesse; 8-19-3-5 = 35
8.) Leenabarca, Alex Jackson; 20-207011 = 40
9.) Red, Joe Woods; 9-6-19-6 = 40
10.) Shakedown, Geoff Pierini; 16-7-2-17 = 42

Melges site: www.melges.com

Event site: www.premiere-racing.com