Cutler Wins US Melges 24 National Championship At Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week

Congratulations to Alec Cutler on Hedgehog, alongside of tactician Richard Clarke and crew members Mike Wolfs and Curtis Florence, he is the 2013 Melges 24 U.S. National Champion and Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week Champion.

"We've got a new team together. We have not sailed together in a long time." said Cutler post racing. "There were times when everyone made a bonehead move, but then there were moments when we made up for it and saved the race. This event was great fun and the good news is we got a lot of great training in. We’re very much looking forward to Chicago."

Ending the event in second overall is Bora Gulari aboard New England Ropes/West Marine Rigging. Gulari triumphed in Charleston last year and had his sights set on another 2013 win. At the end of racing on Saturday, Gulari trailed Cutler by three little points. Despite some very heavy air forecasts, Gulari and team was hopeful that they might get another chance to regain the lead. But, it wasn’t meant to be.

Sunday’s breeze forecasts were looking very uncertain, but an optimistic PRO Hank Stuart and his incredible Race Committee team ventured out onto Charleston Harbor. Teams were greeted with a wonderful and super steady 15-20 knots. Within a short 10-20 minutes and a building steep chop, the breeze blew a solid 25-35 with no sign of letting up. Stuart hoisted November over Alpha, cancelling all racing for the day.

Saturday’s results stand as final.

In the Corinthian Division, Ben Moon at the helm of Steve Liebel’s New Wave captured the 2013 Corinthian Melges 24 National Championship title. 2012 Charleston Corinthian Champion Paul Hulsey aboard Hoodlum Racing settled for second and USMCA Vice President Rob Britts claimed third on Hot Mess.

A VERY SPECIAL THANKS
As with every event, there are so many people, organizers and supporters that come together to make it all great. The International Audi Melges 20 Class Association (IAM20CA) would specifically like to thank Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week Event Director Randy Draftz for a spectacular regatta. The event was well organized and all-around phenomenal. PRO Hank Stuart and his Race Committee team did an incredible job making the right calls on and off the water. Melges USA offered up the absolute best five-star customer service and support to all our racers.

A very special thanks to Audi Melges 20 Hooligan owner Trey Sheehan and his team for enabling the IAM20CA to get out to the course each day to bring everyone racing updates and hundreds of pictures.You guys are THE BEST!

UP NEXT... 
The next super major Melges 24 North American Ranking circuit continues onward to Chicago for the 2013 North American Championship to be held on June 21-23. And of course, there is the  2013 Sperry Top-Sider Melges 24 World Championship. Registration is online and open. Over twenty boats are currently signed-up and ready to go. Register now if you have not already!

TOP TEN RESULTS (After Eight Races, One Discard)
1.) Alec Cutler, Hedgehog; 1-[6]-2-1-1-1-4-3 = 13
2.) Bora Gulari, New England Ropes/West Marine Rigging; 2-2-1-2-6-2-1-[10] = 16
3.) Bruce Ayres, Monsoon; 6-1-3-3-4-3-[15]-4 = 24
4.) Argyle Campbell, Rock n' Roll; 5-4-5-6-2-5-[10]-8 = 35
5.) Chris Larson/Scott Holmgren, Rosebud; 4-22-4-[38/DNF]-3-4-2-5 = 44
6.) Alan Field, WTF; 3-[19]-6-4-11-7-7-11 = 49
7.) Ben Moon/Steve Liebel, New Wave; 7-[16]-13-8-5-10-3-15 = 61
8.) Derek Rateray/Richard Thompson, Black Seal; 8-3-7-13-10-16-5-[22] = 62
9.) Carey Siegler, Rocksteady; 9-10-8-11-7-9-9-[25] = 63
10.) Paul Hulsey, Hoodlum Racing; 15-11-12-5-[17]-6-14-1 = 64

TOP FIVE CORINTHIAN RESULTS (After Eight Races, One Discard)
1.) Ben Moon/Steve Liebel, New Wave
2.) Paul Hulsey, Hoodlum Racing
3.) Rob Britts, Hot Mess
4.) Chris Field, Leda
5.) Jens Wathne, Party Girl
View Full Results
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