Melges 32 World Championship - Samba Pa Ti emerges victorious

by Joy Dunigan on 1 Oct 2012 The closing day of competition at the 2012 Melges 32 World Championship, hosted by the New York Yacht Club (NYYC), had spectators on the edge of their seats for the last race of the 10 part racing series. John Kilroy, Jr. on Samba Pa Ti triumphed over the 33 strong fleet to claim the class' most coveted trophy and title - that of Melges 32 World Champion.

'We've worked so hard for so long to accomplish this.' commented Kilroy during the awards ceremony. 'We won in Key West, then felt as though we were a little off track. Officially, we are back where we need to be with this incredible win, a win I consider one of the most treasured I have ever won.'

Kilroy was joined onboard by tactician Paul Goodison and crew Federico Michetti, Harry Melges III, Luca Faravelli, Martino Tortarolo, Justin Smart and Marco Carpinello.

Proudly seated second overall is Alec Cutler on Hedgehog with tactician Richard Clarke and in third, is a deserving Steve Howe on Warpath with Morgan Larson on tactics.

Race number ten provided more surprises under overcast skies, light and shifty breezes out of the Northeast. Keisuke Suzuki from Japan on Swing, with tactician Jesper Radich put the fleet on alert when he challenged and overtook John Taylor's Ninkasi with Jeff Madrigali on tactics. Suzuki slowly but surely acquired a monster lead as the race progressed, then gained more momentum and extended furthermore earning over a two minute lead at the finish for the win. Edoardo Lupi's Torpyone had a great race finishing second, while Alex Jackson on Leenabarca claimed third.

TOP 10 results: (Final)

1.) John Kilroy, Jr./Paul Goodison, Samba Pa Ti; [20]-8-1-12-1-1-1-2-8-5 = 39
2.) Alec Culter/Richard Clarke, Hedgehog; 5-7-2-4-7-6-4-4-[11]-10 = 49
3.) Steve Howe/Morgan Larson, Warpath; 2-15-4-7-8-3-8-3-12-[20] = 62
4.) Benjamin Schwartz/Chris Rast, Pisces; 4-1-[19]-2-4-13-11-14-2 19 = 70
5.) Pieter Taselaar/Nick Thompson, Bliksem; 7-16-6-11-5-11-7-1-9-[18] = 73
6.) William Douglass/Chris Larson, Goombay Smash; 3-3-12-[29]-9-9-3-21-7-14 = 81
7.) Vincenzo Onorato/Nathan Wilmot, Mascalzone Latino; 12-2-13-19-19-7-6-5-1-[22] = 84
8.) Andrea Pozzi/Gabriele Benussi, Bombarda; 1-6-9-3-2-26-21-6-[30]-16 = 90
9.) Edoardo Lupi/Branko Brcin, Torpyone; 8-4-3-6-[22]-22-22-19-6-2 = 92
10.) Roberto Tomassini Grinover/Vasco Vascotto, Robertissima; 6-21-5-20-3-14-16-9-3-[24] = 97

With the completion of the Melges 32 World Championship, the 2012 USA Sailing Series also draws to a close. California's Steve Howe on Warpath was appropriately awarded 2012 Melges 32 USA Sailing Series Champion. Howe won the Gold Cup Regatta last December and continued to excel throughout the season, ultimately putting him atop of the list of an impressive 44 qualifying teams. Newly crowned World Champion John Kilroy on Samba Pa Ti took second place honors, while Benjamin Schwartz's Pisces came third.

On behalf of the IM32CA, we thank every team that competed in the circuit making it one of the most successful ever.

USA Sailing Series, Top five results (Final):

1.) Steve Howe, Warpath = 353
2.) John Kilroy Jr., Samba Pa Ti = 349
3.) Benjamin Schwartz, Pisces = 349
4.) Jason Carroll, Argo = 346
5.) Ryan DeVos, Volpe = 345

Melges 32 World Championship website