Erik Bowers wins the 2019 Melges 14 US National Championship
by Melges 14 Class 9 Jun 2019 21:43 PDT
7-9 June 2019
Erik Bowers stole the show at the 2019 Melges 14 U.S. National Championship. Camaraderie and competition characterized the event hosted by the Lake Geneva Yacht Club.
Eight races were completed over three days in a wide range of wind and wave conditions. Equally important, sailors had daily opportunities to gather and socialize.
Bowers earned six bullets of the seven races scored. All eyes were on Chapman Petersen and Vincent Porter in the final race; with only two points of separation, the competition for second place was hot! In the end, the top five were Bowers, Petersen, Porter, Eddie Cox, and Andy Burdick. National Championship titles went to Jacob Zils in the Blue Rig Division (Lake Geneva, Wis.), Ed Craig in the Master's Division (Chattanooga, Tenn.), and Peyton Ankers (Chattanooga, Tenn.) in the Female Division.
A full round of thanks goes to the staff and volunteers of the Lake Geneva Yacht Club, Principle Race Officer John Zils, and Melges Performance Sailboats for ensuring a successful event.
The Melges 14 World League standings now have Adam Ankers in the lead of the overall rankings. Three European Division events and the final North American Division event remain.
Next up on the Melges 14 circuit is the Melges 14 Scarlino Cup (Scarlino, Italy) and the Melges 14 Southern Championship (Lake Lanier, Georgia).