Eric Hood reports direct from the race course of the 2003 St Petersburg NOOD - Nineteen Melges 24 teams made it to this years annual event. I believe it was the sixteenth or seventeenth event hosted by great sponsors and of course our primary sponsor Sailing World magazine.
The number of boats based in Holland and Belgium is steadily increasing and long standing Melges 24 owner Simon Hughes, now based in Holland, is keen to get in touch with all Melges sailors in the area with a view to arranging joint events, travel, etc.
The Melges 24s are returning to the SORC with some of the top US and European names committed to attending the regatta this year including Falavio Favini, Brian Porter, Luca Santella, Jamie Lea, Bruce Ayres, the Ecklunds and many more.
The forthcoming US Nationals, which take place from 13-15 March at the Pensacola Yacht Club, will be the second event in the 2003 World Ranking Series. With all the top US crews and many of the leading Europeans already committed to attending it's set to be a fantastic regatta.
Philippe Kahn is one of the best known names in US sailing regularly featuring on the scoreboard in Farr 40, Mumm 36, Melges 24 and Sled events but this week sees the emergence of a new member of the Kahn family who looks set to equal or even eclipse his father's sailing fame.
After racing today Fiona Brown spoke to Jeff Jones of USA497 "Kilroy" and John Porter of USA449 "Full Throttle". FB - Jeff, you had a much better day today, why was that? Jeff Jones - It was a good day, we enjoy heavy stuff.
Races six and seven were completed in near perfect conditions with the Melges 24 fleet enjoying some spectacular sailing. Flavio Favini, helming for Franco Rossini, continued his outstandingly consistent performance scoring a first and third to give him an eleven point lead over Brian Porter.
Second place in the final race of the series was enough to give Flavio Favini, helming for Franco Rossini, his second consecutive Melges 24 Key West title ahead of Brian Porter. Record 90 year low temperatures and strong winds made for unexpected conditions on the final day of racing.
After racing today Fiona Brown spoke with Nick Maxwell and Joe Woods about the race and their overall impressions of the week. FB - Nick, you had a great race today, what was your secret? NM - It was very light, very flukey, we had the rig set very light which worked out just in our favour.
