February 17, 2010 (Miami, Fla.) – The Audi Melges 20 fleet gathers once more this weekend in Miami, Fla. for number two of three 2010 Miami Winter Series events hosted by Coconut Grove Sailing Club, supported by Shake-A-Leg Miami and Melges Performance Sailboats. Fourteen teams have assembled for yet another beautiful regatta filled with warm weather and some of the hottest sportboat competition around.

“We are really looking forward to the return of the Audi Melges 20 racers,’ said Regatta Chair Ron Rostorfer. “We had a really great time hosting the fleet in December and hope to have another great event. Both sailors and Melges officials alike have been outstanding to work with. This fleet has generated a lot of interest around Biscayne Bay. Once again, we’ll provide a spectator boat for both days of racing and expect that a number of locals will be out in their own boats to watch the racing unfold.”

Obvious fleet favorites most likely to do well are series leader (after one event) Jeff Ecklund (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) onSTAR and reigning National Champion Eric Wynsma (East Grand Rapids, Mich.) on Superfly. Ecklund won the first event over Wynsma on countback. “I’ll be sailing with a completely different crew this time. I’ve never sailed the boat in light air before so, we’re just going to try and sail the best we can,’ says Ecklund. His crew will consist of long-time friend and tactician Harry Melges and fleet newbie Bar Batzer. Sure to add in a little extra excitement is Robert Wilber (Stoney Creek, Conn.) on Cinghiale seated in third overall.

The vast majority of the fleet has traveled from the Midwest. Michael Kiss (Macatawa, Mich.) on Bacio, John Arendshorst (Holland, Mich.) on Blink, and Jim Hilgard (Godfrey, Ill.) on Crystal Spirit have all returned for more Miami action. New to the series, but not to the fierce Audi Melges 20 competition is Chuck Holzman (Farmington Hills, Mich.) on Flyer. Traveling from further north of the border are Canada’s Erwyn Naidoo (Toronto, Ontario) on Bohica, Peter Kozicz (Oakville, Ontario) with Chris Dold at the helm on CAN-142. Other representation comes from lady helm Mary Anne Ward (Cocoa Beach, Fla.) on M&M Sailing and David Hammett (Annapolis, Md.) on Simplified Sophistocation.

Competing for the very first time is brand new owner John Lucas (Charleston, S.C) on Fu and commonplace scow sailor Joel Ronning (Excelsior, Minn.) will give the Audi Melges 20 a try at the helm of USA-148. Welcome to the fleet!

TUNE-UP WITH MELGES
A very cool practice and tune-up session with Melges’ Andy Burdick will warm up the fleet on Friday, February 19 kick-starting the planned pre-race activities. Racing takes place on Saturday and Sunday. Burdick will lead a tech talk session and post-race press conference on Saturday, February 20.

FULL ENTRY LIST
1.) Michael Kiss, Bacio
2.) John Arendhorst, Blink
3.) Erwyn Naidoo, Bohica
4.) Peter Kozicz, CAN-142
5.) Robert Wilber, Cinghiale
6.) Jim Hilgard, Crystal Spirit
7.) John Lucas, Fu
8.) Joel Ronning, USA-148
9.) Mary Anne Ward, M&M Sailing Team
10.) David Hammett, Simplified Sophistication
11.) Jeff Ecklund, STAR
12.) Eric Wynsma, Superfly
13.) Erik Post, Vaya Con Dios
14.) Chuck Holzman, Flyer

Official Event Website

Press releases, race reports and photos will be issued daily. Stay tuned to the Official Audi Melges 20 Web Site, the Official Audi Melges 20 Blog, Melges.com and Melgeseurope.com for all the details. You can also friend the Audi Melges 20 on Facebook or follow on Twitter. Join, bookmark and subscribe today to stay on top of the latest developments in Miami.

ABOUT THE 2010 AUDI MELGES 20 MIAMI WINTER SERIES
The Inaugural Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series is hosted by Coconut Grove Sailing Club, Shake-A-Leg and supported by Melges Performance Sailboats. The series, comprised of three regattas spanning December through March, offers Audi Melges 20 sailors a great escape from the cold and snow to enjoy the Florida
sunshine, top flight competition, the very best in sportboat sailing conditions and high-level race management.

• SERIES EVENT NO. 1 – December 11-13 (Saturday, Sunday racing) COMPLETE
• SERIES EVENT NO. 2 – February 19-21 (Saturday, Sunday racing)
• SERIES EVENT NO. 3 – Bacardi Miami Sailing Week, March 10-13 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday racing)

The Inaugural Miami Winter Series leads off the eight high-powered events on the 2010 Audi Melges 20 USA Sailing Series schedule.

“Coconut Grove Sailing Club extends a very warm welcome to all Audi Melges 20 sailors. It is going to be a great weekend filled with a lot of fun and exciting racing.” said Ron Rostorfer, Regatta Chair. “The social activities will be quite enjoyable as well. On the water, expect nothing but the very best from legendary PRO Bruce Golison. This will be a first class event.”

“When Harry Melges asked me to run the Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series, I jumped at the opportunity. Having been the big boat circle PRO at Key West for 9 years, I was excited to run the series. As a top level competitor myself, I full understand the expectations — lots of boats, great competition and loads of camaraderie, backed by excellence in race management,” stated Golison.

“Running any top level regatta is a challenge I enjoy,” continued Golison. ”My goal is always to try and run the perfect regatta in the way the competitors want to see it run. Add to that a talented group of race committee members and you have what it takes to end the regatta with happy competitors.”

Competitors have traveled from all over the country to usher in the inaugural Audi Melges 20 Winter Series, where ideal, classic Miami breeze-on conditions are anticipated. Eight of the teams call the Midwest home representing Michigan, Illinois and Canada, amongst them reigning U.S. National Champion Erc Wynsma (East Grand Rapids, Mich.) on Superfly and current Charleston Race Week winner Marc Hollerbach (Grosse Pointe Park, Mich.) on Fu. Traveling the furthest is Seattle NOOD Winner, Joe Williams (Mercer Island, Wash.) on Lift Ticket. Melges regulars, yet brand spanking new to the fleet are Jeff Ecklund (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) on his famed STAR, the one and only, masterful lady helm Mary Anne Ward (Cocoa Beach, Fla.) on M&M Sailing Team and Jim Hilgard (Godfrey, Ill.) on Crystal Spirit.

FULL ENTRY LIST

1.) Michael Kiss, Bacio

2.) John Arendhorst, Blink

3.) Erwyn Naidoo, Bohica

4.) Peter Kozicz, CAN-142

5.) Robert Wilber, Cinghiale

6.) Jim Hilgard, Crystal Spirit

7.) Marc Hollerbach, Fu

8.) Joe Williams, Lift Ticket

9.) Mary Anne Ward, M&M Sailing Team

10.) David Hammett, Simplified Sophistication

11.) Jeff Ecklund, STAR

12.) Eric Wynsma, Superfly

13.) Erik Post, Vaya Con Dios

Official Event Website

Press releases, race reports and photos will be issued daily. Stay tuned to the Official Audi Melges 20 Web Site, the Official Audi Melges 20 Blog, Melges.com and Melgeseurope.com for all the details. You can also follow the Audi Melges 20 on Twitter. Join, bookmark and subscribe today to stay on top of all things Audi Melges 20.

ABOUT THE 2010 AUDI MELGES 20 MIAMI WINTER SERIES

The Inaugural Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series is hosted by Coconut Grove Sailing Club, Shake-A-Leg and supported by Melges Performance Sailboats. The series, comprised of three regattas spanning December through March, offers Audi Melges 20 sailors a great escape from the cold and snow to enjoy the Florida

sunshine, top flight competition, the very best in sportboat sailing conditions and high-level race management.

• SERIES EVENT NO. 1 – December 11-13 (Saturday, Sunday racing)

• SERIES EVENT NO. 2 – February 19-21 (Saturday, Sunday racing)

• SERIES EVENT NO. 3 – Bacardi Miami Sailing Week, March 10-13 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday racing)

The Inaugural Miami Winter Series leads off the eight high-powered events on the 2010 Audi Melges 20 USA Sailing Series schedule.