Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD

Rated X pops champagne after a high-stakes finale at the M32 Winter Series Event 3

by M32 Class 5 Mar 2023 17:15 PST March 3-5, 2023
M32 World Miami Winter Series Event 3 © Stephen R Cloutier

Sailors from all around the world descended upon the palm trees, turquoise waters, and colorful foliage of Miami for the third event of the 2023 M32 Winter Series. The three-day event just closed in dramatic fashion after 14 races.

A big round of congratulations is in order for Jake Julien's young Rated X team of Stephan Baker, Keith Swinton, Julius Hallstrom, Jeff McCooey, and Dave Gilmour. Rated X was certainly the team to beat after Saturday's racing, but with only a one-point margin ahead of Dan Cheresh's Extreme2, every Sunday point was going to count.

Winning today's first race extended Rated X's winning margin — but only until Extreme2 won Race Two, reeling in the young guns. The two boats were at each other's throats all day long. The grand finale was a classic who-beats-who between Rated X and Extreme2, tied at the top with 28 points. Rated X played it cool and led the race wire-to-wire. 18-year-old Stephan Baker stepped in for Jake Julien on Saturday and Sunday.

"I was offered to drive the boat for the weekend because Jake had to do a high school business challenge, so of course I took the opportunity," said Baker. "It was an unbelievable experience. I don't know how to pop champagne yet. Turns out I need to practice!"

The fleet saw three days of non-stop sunshine, warm weather, and a perfect big breeze that faded on the last day for a light wind finale. Dock talk will tell you Friday's conditions were the best of the year.

The silver medal goes to the ever-competitive Cheresh, M32 Class Vice President. New this year, the fleet races on Fridays in addition to the traditional Saturday/Sunday schedule. Friday's racing is structured more loosely, with crew and helmsman changes allowed and no owner/driver requirements. Building their case for the Friday Cup series title was Dan Cheresh's Extreme2 who proved hard to beat in the 20-knot Friday breeze, posting a 2, 7, 1, 1 scorecard. They continued the heater into Saturday with two race wins alongside Morgan Larson, Scott Ewing, Mac Agnese, Luke Muller, and support team Lars Guck and James Cyigenza.

Rounding out the podium is Bobby Julien's Dingbat team of Torvar Mirsky, Paul Campbell James, Nick Hutton, Mark Bulkeley, coach Morgan Reeser, and support team Franny Schulte and Kyle Kandt. Dingbat raced a highly consistent event in a fleet that normally sees lots of shake-ups. Julien leads a group of three "J Racing" boats, him and his two sons.

"I'm actually a new sailor," says Julien. "My first regatta ever was Fall of 2021. I tried the charter boat in the M32 fleet last spring, which was a whole nother level of fun. I'm not going to go to the Olympics or anything: I just want to have a great time with some great people, and the M32 really fulfills that dream opportunity for me. The kids also love it - It's a whole lot of fun."

The fleet warmly welcomes Stephen Murray back to the action. "I've had a few boats that go fast offshore, but I've never gone that fast with that many boats around," said Murray. "I called up Dave Doucett [M32 North America] and told him I was interested in sailing. It was all turnkey; they had a great boat ready for us, all tuned up and ready to go. Everybody's just been so friendly to a bunch of new guys."

We can't neglect to mention the M32 shoreside vibe. There's something magical about the Coconut Grove lifestyle. The class sponsored a Friday evening open bar at Atchana's, a favorite local Thai spot in the Grove. Each day after racing, sailors gather at Shake-A-Leg for beers, a post-racing bite, and team debriefs.

The fleet will stay in Miami for the Winter Series finale in April. Next is Lake Garda for the European Series and Newport, Rhode Island for the Midtown Cup series. It all leads up to the 2023 M32 World Championship in Newport in September.

The M32 Class's race committee team of six, led by Principal Race Officer Mattias Dahlstrom, completed 14 high quality races over the three days, rolling out the red carpet for the sailors. The Class extends its deep gratitude to our host, Shake-A-Leg Miami, who makes all this possible. The media team included Stephen Cloutier, Tommy Byrne, Raul De La Cruz, and Hannah Lee Noll.

The beer was flowing, the breeze was blowing, and the M32 Class continues to grow. Plan on joining the fun at the next event — onward & upward!

Related Articles

Come to ABRW where fun doesn't set with the sun
60 entries received just a short time after entries opening Just a short time from entries opening for Airlie Beach Race Week (ABRW) 2025, keen competitors started committing to the fun event and with 60 entries received to-date, it is a good start to what is sure to be another great week of racing. Posted on 16 Apr
2025 M32 Miami Winter Series Event 4
One final battle in the Miami heat 4 events. 11 teams. 16 drivers. 42 races. 1 hell of a season. The 2025 M32 Miami Winter Series wrapped today. Ryan McKillen's Surge won the final event, while young Charlie Julien's Rated X took the winter series Rooster Trophy. Posted on 7 Apr
M32 Miami Winter Series 3
Eleven M32s draw a crowd in Miami The M32 fleet is thriving. Eleven boats lined up for the March edition of the M32 Miami Winter Series, making it one of the most competitive events in recent years. Posted on 3 Mar
2025 M32 Miami Winter Series Event 2
Surge strikes first, fast, and never looks back Ryan McKillen's Surge ran the table in Miami for the second edition of the 2025 M32 Miami Winter Series. Posted on 3 Feb
M32 Miami Winter Series: From Rookie to Victor
"To win is the best feeling ever," said Charlie Julien "To win is the best feeling ever," said Charlie Julien after his Rated X team claimed the tiebreaker victory over Ava Wilson's Convexity. Posted on 13 Jan
M32 Snowbird Season starts now
The migration begins The high-flying M32 fleet has returned to its winter home on Biscayne Bay, with an arsenal of catamarans assembling at Shake-A-Leg Miami for the 11th edition of the M32 Winter Series. Posted on 10 Jan
M32 World Championship at Lake Garda overall
Rated X defends World Championship title With thunderstorms looming, the fleet headed out for an early start, squeezing in five races in 12-15 knots of the northerly Peler wind. Posted on 8 Sep 2024
M32 World Championship at Lake Garda after Day 3
Racing moves to the centre of the lake for more passing lanes On day three of the M32 World Championship the race area was shifted more to the centre of the Lake to give the teams new challenges and to create more opportunities for passing lanes. Posted on 7 Sep 2024
M32 World Championship at Lake Garda after Day 2
Five race winners in five races: top three tied The M32 World Championship is as tight as it gets, with the top three teams - Youngblood, Miles Julien, Surge, Ryan McKillen, and Rated X, Jake Julien, - all tied at 17 points. Posted on 7 Sep 2024
M32 World Championship begins with thunder
The opening party set the perfect tone for the regatta The M32 World Championship has started and we have some exciting racing ahead of us. Reigning world champions Rated X, with skipper Jake Julien, remain the team to beat this season. Posted on 5 Sep 2024
Switch One DesignExposure MarineCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTER