Official Audi Melges 20 Blog

December 12, 2010 (Miami, Fla.) — 2010 Audi Melges 20 USA Sailing Series Champion Michael Kiss, from Holland, Mich. and crew comprised of Chris Rast and Jamie Kimball on Bacio took the 25-strong Miami Winter Series fleet by storm winning all three of Sunday’s races and the event by a substantial 8 points. “It’s great to be here in Coconut Grove. The breeze was much better today than yesterday. We just had a great time sailing the Audi Melges 20.” said Kiss post racing. In second overall was California’s Sid Gorham on Funner, and in third was Tony Tabb on Elevation Racing.

Stunning conditions greeted the fleet with light and variable winds for a start scheduled one hour earlier than originally planned. There were no complaints as plentiful sunshine and breeze were on hand for race two. Kiss got off to a rough start, being called over at the one minute, clawing his way back to battle for first against Ryan DeVos on Volpe and Russell Lucas on Shimmer. Kiss rounded second behind DeVos at the final weathermark, hugging the right side for pressure pulling away from the fleet and taking the win. Lucas followed suit to take second place, DeVos settled for third.

With the breeze on the increase (13-15 knots), an aggressive start of the second race gave way to another stellar performance by Kiss being challenged by Mary Anne Ward on M&M Sailing, Gorham and Paul Reilly on Red Sky Sailing. Kiss won the finish, leaving Ward, Gorham, Reilly and Tabb to round out the top five slots.

The third and final race of the day sealed the deal for Kiss as a dynamic pin end start led to a huge port tack lead. Kiss commanded the race at the top mark with Marc Hollerbach on Fu in second and Tabb in third. The top tier held their positions through the gate, back upwind. For the final downwind run, Kiss blistered the course with Hollerbach and Tabb desperately trying to catch up.

Afterwards, teams piled into Miami’s famous Shake-A-Leg for haul-out and an awards presentation to each of the winning competitors by Melges’ Andy Burdick. Burdick thanked all the competitors who participated, recognized the incredibly organized efforts of event host Coconut Grove Sailing Club, as well as Bruce Golison and his phenomenal race committee team. He also thanked Joy Dunigan for her contributions made to the class thus far as International Administrator. Each took home a token of appreciation from the International Audi Melges 20 Class Association.

TOP TEN RESULTS (After 1 Race)

1.) Michael Kiss, Bacio; 9-1-1-1 = 12
2.) Sid Gorham, Funner; 8-7-3-2 = 20
3.) Tony Tabb, Elevation Racing; 4-6-5-5 = 20
4.) Marc Hollerbach, Fu; 5-4-9-4 = 22
5.) Russell Lucas, Shimmer; 6-2-6- 10 = 24
6.) Mary Anne Ward, M&M Racing; 2-11-2-11 = 26
7.) Tom Ritter, Tramp; 7-5-11-6 = 29
8.) Ryan DeVos, Volpe; 3-3-8-16 = 30
9.) Paul Reilly, Red Sky Sailing; 21-10-4-3 = 38
10.) John Arendshorst, Blink 20/20; 1-15-16-8 = 40
Full Results

View Photo Gallery

MIAMI HEAT – 2011 AUDI MELGES 20 WINTER SERIES
The second Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series event happens on February 12-13, 2011. Event No. 3, will be held in conjunction with the famous Bacardi Miami Sailing Week on March 10-12, 2011. More than 20+ boats are expected at each event so, save the dates and be there!

EUROPEAN EUPHORIA
The Audi Melges 20 is red-hot in Europe. A ton of boats have been sold as the International fleet looks to usher in another great year of racing on the Audi Melges 20 Sailing Series circuit. Four fantastic events will take place throughout the spring, summer and fall months, culminating at the first European Championship on September 29-October 2. View The Entire 2011 European Schedule

Full race reports, interviews and photo galleries will be posted online each day after racing. Stay tuned to the Official Audi Melges 20 Web Site, the Official Audi Melges 20 Blog, Melges.com and Melgeseurope.com for all the latest details. You can also friend the Audi Melges 20 on Facebook, follow on Twitter and/or subscribe to the Official Audi Melges 20 You Tube Channel.

The second and final day of racing at the Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series takes place today, where breeze on conditions are expected. A light 6-9 should get things started building throughout the afternoon. PRO Bruce Golison and team will go for three more races, potentially four depending on breeze strength. Stay close to melges20.com and friend on Facebook for the latest developments from Miami.

View Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series Event Photo Gallery

Courtesy of 42 Marine: When Kevin Costner heard the whispers in Field of Dreams, “If you build it, he will come,” (often misquoted as “they”) there was probably some doubt in his mind that if he built a baseball field in the middle of a corn field, that the ghosts of baseballs’ greats really would come to play.  For most people, this type of thing is only achievable through some serious hallucinogenics, but just like most things in Hollywood, Costner was able to sculpt the perfect baseball field out of the cornfields in his backyard and, voila, his vision did come true of having the ghosts of former players play ball on his makeshift diamond.

Read Full Article

Only one race was held today at the 2011 Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series hosted by the Coconut Grove Sailing Club (CGSC), due to very light air conditions. John Arendshorst, from Holland Mich. on Blink 20/20 is seated in first place overall. “Today was interesting. I supposed the toughest thing today was trying to locate the wind, because there was very little of it.” said Arendshorst after racing. “My team is fabulous. Boat speed was really important. The conditions were very challenging, but a beautiful day nonetheless in Coconut Grove.”

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December 11, 2010 (Miami, Fla.) —Only one race was held today at the 2011 Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series hosted by the Coconut Grove Sailing Club (CGSC), due to very light air conditions. John Arendshorst, from Holland Mich. on Blink 20/20 is seated in first place overall. “Today was interesting. I supposed the toughest thing today was trying to locate the wind, because there was very little of it.” said Arendshorst after racing. “My team is fabulous. Boat speed was really important. The conditions were very challenging, but a beautiful day nonetheless in Coconut Grove.”

Mary Anne Ward on M&M Racing (one of two lady helms competing this weekend) is in second place and nineteen-year-old Ryan DeVos on Volpe is third.

After a brief postponement, the first race got underway with a bearing of 045 and distance of .75 nm. At the start, Arendshorst, Erik Post on Vaya Con Dios and DeVos fought for pin end position. Arendshorst won the start playing the left side shifts on the upwind beat to round in first. DeVos took second and Ward was third. The first downwind beat severed the fleet in half with the leaders pulling away, slowly but surely increasing their lead. A change of course at the gate signaled that the breeze had shifted once more and a shortened distance was implemented. Ward came from the right, match racing Arendshorst for the lead as they approached the mark. Arendshorst edged out Ward to keep the lead, reaching for the finish downwind as the breeze further diminished to win. Ward was second and DeVos settled for third.

It was quite apparent with the disappearing breeze that getting another race in might be difficult. “It was a tough day with the breeze. I think we still delivered a fair race though.” said PRO Bruce Golison. “Tomorrow, if the weather guys are right, it will be completely different. They are calling for 8-10 in the morning and building throughout the day. Our goal is to try for four races.”

Back at the club, the beer, beverages and camaraderie flowed freely. Michael Kiss was formally recognized as the 2010 Audi Melges 20 Sailing Series Champion. CGSC formally welcomed Marc Hollerbach and Kiss as new members of the club. Harry Melges, III was awarded an honorary CGSC membership by the commodore for his continued support and contributions to the sport of sailing.

Racing will commence at 10 a.m. EDT Sunday, December 12.

TOP TEN RESULTS (After 1 Race)
1.) John Arendshorst, Blink 20/20; 1
2.) Mary Anne Ward, M&M Racing; 2
3.) Ryan DeVos, Volpe; 3
4.) Tony Tabb, Elevation Racing; 4
5.) Marc Hollerbach, Fu; 5
6.) Russell Lucas, Shimmer; 6
7.) Tom Ritter, Tramp; 7
8.) Sid Gorham, Funner; 8
9.) Michael Kiss, Bacio; 9
10.) Erwyn Naidoo, Bohica; 10
Full Results

View Photo Gallery

MIAMI HEAT – 2011 AUDI MELGES 20 WINTER SERIES
The second Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series event happens on February 12-13, 2011. Event No. 3, will be held in conjunction with the famous Bacardi Miami Sailing Week on March 10-12, 2011. More than 20+ boats are expected at each event so, save the dates and be there!

EUROPEAN EUPHORIA
The Audi Melges 20 is red-hot in Europe. A ton of boats have been sold as the International fleet looks to usher in another great year of racing on the Audi Melges 20 Sailing Series circuit. Four fantastic events will take place throughout the spring, summer and fall months, culminating at the first European Championship on September 29-October 2. View The Entire 2011 European Schedule

Full race reports, interviews and photo galleries will be posted online each day after racing. Stay tuned to the Official Audi Melges 20 Web Site, the Official Audi Melges 20 Blog, Melges.com and Melgeseurope.com for all the latest details. You can also friend the Audi Melges 20 on Facebook, follow on Twitter and/or subscribe to the Official Audi Melges 20 You Tube Channel.

The first event of the 2010 Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series begins TODAY! Stay close to the blog for periodic updates as well as the Audi Melges 20 Facebook page. Race updates and tidbits will be blasted as it happens.

Be sure to checkout all the photos on FaceBook from the Skipper’s meeting held Friday night where Michael Kiss’s Bacio was honored as the 2010 USA Sailing Series Champion! Nice job – Way to go Michael!

December 10, 2010 (Miami, Fla.) — A record-breaking twenty-six Audi Melges 20 teams have gathered in Miami, Fla. for a great weekend of competitive, fun, one design racing at the 2011 Miami Winter Series, Event No. 1, hosted by the Coconut Grove Sailing Club (CGSC). This number doubles the inaugural Series attendance level in 2009. “Coconut Grove would like to extend a very warm welcome to the Audi Melges 20 Class.” said Richard Etkin, regatta co-chair. “Last year this event was spectacular. It lived up to every competitor’s expectation and ours too. This year, with a fleet doubled in size, expect a lot of the same and more.”

The entry list is dominated by teams from the U.S. – Florida, Michigan, Connecticut, Maryland, Illinois, Washington D.C., California, Washington State, New Jersey and South Carolina are all well-represented. 2010 Audi Melges 20 U.S. National and USA Sailing Series Champion Michael Kiss on Bacio looks to be the boat to beat. Significant wins in Charleston and Lake Geneva qualify him as a top player. Others to watch include John Arendshorst on Blink 20/20, Mary Anne Ward on M&M Sailing and Tony Tabb on Elevation Racing. Traveling from Canada, an aggressive posse from the famed Port Credit Yacht Club includes new-to-the-fleet Rhonda Joyce at the helm of Batteries Not Required, new boat owner David Pollack on CAN-142, Jon Messenger on CAN-666 and Erwyn Naidoo on Bohica.

The Audi Melges 20 is a growing and flourishing worldwide fleet. It is not unusual to see new faces at each event. Tate Russack on Diesel and David Pollack on CAN-142 are both brand new racers. Trying out the fun, simple-to-sail Audi Melges 20 are charter boats helmed by Russell Lucas on Shimmer, Chris Hamilton on PBR Street Gang and Ryan DeVos on Volpe

“Florida is an amazing place to sail during the winter months. Melges USA, in full coordination with the International Audi Melges 20 Class Association (IAM20CA), have worked very hard to configure the Series to be easy, really fun and most importantly, affordable. We’re not the least bit surprised that there are more than 20 boats ready to race.” said Melges Performance Sailboats President, Andy Burdick.

The experienced hand and eye of PRO Bruce Golison and team will guide two days of scheduled racing – Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12.
Registration takes place at the CGSC on Friday, December 10 from 1500-1730 with a skipper’s meeting to follow immediately.

FULL ENTRY LIST

1.) George Gamble, A Little Wicked
2.) Michael Kiss, Bacio
3.) Jeff Jones, Bad Nemo
4.) Rhonda Joyce, Batteries Not Included
5.) Chris Hamilton, PBR Street Gang
6.) John Arendshorst, Blink 20/20
7.) Erwyn Naidoo, Bohica
8.) Jon Messenger, CAN-666
9.) Rob Wilber, Cinghiale
10.) Lance Smotherman, Details
11.) Tate Russack, Diesel
12.) Anthony Tabb, Elevation Racing
13.) Erik Wulff, Endorphin
14.) Marc Hollerbach,Fu
15.) Sid Gorham, Funner
16.) Daniel Thielman, Kuai
17.) Joe Williams, Lift Ticket
18.) Mary Anne Ward, M&M Racing
19.) Ken Haegar, Mach Schnell
20.) Paul Reilly, Red Sky
21.) Russell Lucas, Shimmer
22.) Tom Ritter, Tramp
23.) Erik Post, Vaya Con Dios
24.) David Pollack, CAN-142
25.) Ryan DeVos, Volpe
26.) John Lucas, USA-14
Official Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series, Event No. 1 Website

MIAMI HEAT – 2011 AUDI MELGES 20 WINTER SERIES
The second Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series event happens on February 12-13, 2011. Event No. 3, will be held in conjunction with the famous Bacardi Miami Sailing Week on March 10-12, 2011. More than 20+ boats are expected at each event so, save the dates and be there!

EUROPEAN EUPHORIA
The Audi Melges 20 is red-hot in Europe. A ton of boats have been sold as the International fleet looks to usher in another great year of racing on the Audi Melges 20 Sailing Series circuit. Four fantastic events will take place throughout the spring, summer and fall months, culminating at the first European Championship on September 29-October 2. View The Entire 2011 European Schedule

Full race reports, interviews and photo galleries will be posted online each day after racing. Stay tuned to the Official Audi Melges 20 Web Site, the Official Audi Melges 20 Blog, Melges.com and Melgeseurope.com for all the latest details. You can also friend the Audi Melges 20 on Facebook, follow on Twitter and/or subscribe to the Official Audi Melges 20 You Tube Channel.

REMINDER : SAIL DECLARATIONS

Every competing boat at the 2010 Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series Event No. 1 will be REQUIRED to submit a Sail Declaration by the close of registration on Friday, December 10.

During this event, pink limitation marks and buttons + serial numbers utilized from previous 2010 (especially Nationals) will be checked.

For your convenience, please see the attached Sail Button Form. Print this out, fill in completely and provide to Joy Dunigan, IM20CA Class Admin at registration.

If you have any questions, please e-mail classadmin@melges20.com.

November 29, 20100 — Dear Audi Melges 20 Competitors,

Coconut Grove Sailing Club (CGSC) and the International Audi Melges 20 Class Association (IAM20CA) are very much looking forward to your arrival and another great Miami Winter Series on Biscayne Bay.

Here are a few of items for your attention:

LAUNCH AND MOORING

With reference to Series NOR 1.5, CGSC will be able to accommodate the entire Melges 20 fleet at the club.  Boats arriving earlier on Friday, December 10th will have the choice of rafting up at CGSC docks or taking a mooring in the mooring field. If raft-up capacity is reached, the remaining arrivals will be assigned a mooring. CGSC’s launch service to and from the moorings operates on demand 24 hours per day.

Please call “Coconut Grove Sailing Club Dockmaster” on VHF 78 Friday when you’re headed to CGSC way. There will be a simple form to complete on arrival so we can identify your boat.

PARKING PASSES

If you plan to park a vehicle at CGSC Friday afternoon/evening, Saturday or Sunday morning, please let us know by return e-mail to: ronsailon@comcast.net.

SAVE THE DATES REMINDER

International Audi Melges 20 Class Association (IM20CA) Owners Meeting
Thursday, December 9
Coconut Grove Sailing Club
6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Read the Full Details On The Owner’s Meeting

For all other items race related, please visit the Official Event Website for Regatta No. 1. The Sailing Instructions will be posted shortly, so do check often.