2015 Melges East Coast Championships
November 9, 2015 - Newport, NSW, Asutralia - The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club hosted the seventh Melges East Coast Championships on Pittwater over the weekend. The nine race series has become an important fixture on the annual Melges regatta schedule and RPA racing calendar, attracting competitive sailors from around Australia.
On a weekend of November 7-8 when most other sports were cancelled, sailors rigged up, geared up and headed out to test their crew work and tactics around the course.
Cameron Miles & Roger That - photo 2015 Melges Asia Pacific T. Walters
Cameron Miles Roger That with hiswinning crew Henry Kernot, Callum Cecil, Chris Lira sailing with his wife Magdalena and Scott Lawson sailing with his son Harry on Saturday sailed the most consistent regatta to take the podium place. In second place Kevin Nixon Bandit/Accru with a new team closely followed by Pete Kendall Amigos in third place. The results demonstrate the closeness of the fleet new owner Andy Wharton Accrewedinterest recording their first Melges 24 race win on the score sheet.
Kevin Nixon & Bandit/Accru - photo 2015 Melges Asia Pacific T. Walters
Pete Kendall & Amigos - photo 2015 Melges Asia Pacific T. Walters
Andy Wharton Accrewedinterest - photo 2015 Melges Asia Pacific T. Walters
The Melges 24 fleet will head to Lake Macquarie Yacht Club in a fortnight for their NSW State Titles and the opportunity to challenge Miles again along with other interstate crews. Cameron Miles Roger That are in preparation for their 2016 Melges 24 Worlds campaign in Miami and relish the time in combat. After a stint away from the class Miles stated “I forgot how much fun it was to sail these boats!”
Great to the Melges 20 Big Booty on the course, the Melges 20 is taking a foot hold now in Australia and is the world’s fastest growing keelboat class. Following the success of the Melges 24 class in Australia and the increased availability of good international used boats and new from Melges Asia Pacific, this Reichel Pugh design offers high quality racing at an affordable price.
Tracey Walters
Melges 24 Association of Australia
Cameron Miles - Roger That & Kevin Nixon - Bandit/Accru