Melges 17 U.S. Nationals - Perfect conditions on Lake Michigan

by International Melges 17 Class Association on 28 Aug 2011 Melges 17 U.S. National Championship, hosted by White Lake Yacht Club (WLYC), Whitehall, MI, USA is being held from 26 to 28 August 2011.

WLYC has already proven itself as an outstanding host of the largest ever Melges 17 Nationals with 35 entries. Virtually all attending competitors have been provided free houses from WLYC friends and members. The event organization and management by Tom Munroe, food, drink and race committee work by PRO Jamie Jones have been nothing short of outstanding.

Today featured another first for the Melges 17 class, racing out in the open water of Lake Michigan. Conditions were perfect on Lake Michigan, with breeze out of the Southwest ranging from 5-12 knots and a little more than a slight chop. The small waves were more than enough to surf and plane at well over 10-12 knots downwind in the final race three. Race one was sailed in wind of 4-6 knots and the breeze slowly built all day.

Vincent Porter on Full Throttle of Lake Geneva posted an impressive 1-1-4 to take the early lead in the overalls, followed by Melges 17 veteran Mike Stephanie Dow on Flying Toaster in second with a consistent 8-3-3. Third place is held by Brian McMurray on Catbird who rapidly improved from a 17th place finish in race one, to close the day with a 2-1 in race two and three.

Top Ten Results (After three races)
1.) Vincent Porter, Full Throttle; 1-1-4 = 6
2.) Mike Dow, Flying Toaster; 8-3-3 = 14
3.) Brian McMurray, Catbird; 17-2-1 = 20
4.) Sean Fidler, Ludicrous Speed; 5-13-2 = 20
5.) Deb Gluek, Snackcakes; 2-6-12 = 20
6.) Tom Munroe, USA-11; 3-12-5 = 20
7.) Myles Gutenkunst, E-9; 7-8-9 = 24
8.) Jim Hilgard, Dragonfly; 10-5-10 = 25
9.) Clifford Porter, CliffordPorter; 12-7-8 = 27
10.) Brad Sprouse, Yellfire; 15-9-6 = 30 View Full Results

Saturday is forecast for N wind of 10 -15 and will certainly be sailed inshore with more 'classic' lake sailing conditions.

Melges 17 National Championship website