ERIC NERLINGER WINS THE 2006 ST. PETERSBURG NOOD

From Joy Dunigan of the USMCA - Congratulations to Eric Nerlinger, from Chicago, Illinois helming Inside Voice is the 2006 Melges 24 St. Petersburg NOOD Champion. Nerlinger was surrounded onboarded by some of the greatest talent in the Melges 24 fleet. Special guest and multiple championship title holder Bill Hardesty along with his constant crew of Blair Ross, Laura Muma and Rychee Vetor - together they came on strong and won. "Our goal was to finish in the top ten, that was my goal. Blair's goal was to finish top five. I am extremely pleased." said Nerlinger. Haredesty elaborated, "this crew has been sailing together for a year-and-a half and they wanted someone with experience on the M24. I've gotten to know them a little better over the last six months. Eric and Blair and the rest of the crew are fun and this is usually a pretty relaxing event. I basically came in and explained a few things, how we done things on other boats. We made a few changes, nothing drastic. The biggest thing was that the team lacked was confidence and maybe I instilled that. They certainly had the ability. We had some good races and some lucky starts."

Sunday morning, from the start didn't look very promising as initially the winds were calm, seas smooth and an incredible fog bank loomed over the course, bringing visibility at times to less than half-a-mile. Teams trickled out to the course cautiously emerging from the fog only to arrive at yet another race postponement. Rafting soon became the order of the day as they waited, and waited for wind.

Just before 1 o'clock, racing was abandoned. Absolutely no racing was possible on Sunday due to lack of wind leaving Saturday's results standing firm. Behind Nerlinger was Bob Dockery — a true Corinthian competitor in second place overall, actually tied for first with Nerlinger. "We worked hard yesterday and made great improvements, it all happened at that last leeward mark.I tyhink we gained six places. We went right and everyone else went left. We've had a good regatta and so far, a pretty good season. So, no complaints," commented Dockery. Last year Dockery grabbed the top-spot in the Corinthian division and has now become the first M24 helm to hold the title of Corinthian Champion back-to-back!

In third overall, is long-time Melges 24 diehard Steve Jones at the helm of Sick Puppy. Onboard with Jones is his partner in the boat, Eric Andrews; his dad, Ralph Jones, 71 - most likely the oldest Melges 24 sailor on the course, Greg Elmgren and Nate Maxwell. "We are excited to have done so well. The crew has been together for a year now." said Jones. Andrews continued, "For me this was all brand new when we bought the boat, but since that everything has been awesome."

In the words of IMCA Executive Committee Member and USMCAVice President Scott Gregory at the helm for Team Satisfaction "This regatta is always great, lot of Corinthians here. I am most impressed with Sick Puppy. They go to almost every regatta. It was great to see them do so well. They sailed great."

The Melges 24 Class Association would like to extend a very special thanks to George Brengle and Jennifer Davies with the Sailing World Organization. Both of you have been very generous to the Class over the years - it keeps us coming back. The Race Committee was superior, the St. Petersburg Yacht Club has been a great host. Most importantly we would like to thank all the competitors, especially those that have travels so far. We hope to see everyone back again next year!

TOP TEN OVERALL RESULTS
1. Eric Nerlinger 4, 2, 3 = 9
2. Bob Dockery 2, 3, 4 = 9
3. Steve Jones 5, 4, 7 = 16
4. Bora Gulari/Rob Bunn 14, 1, 2 = 17
5. Doug Fisher 13, 7, 1 = 21
6. Paul Hulsey 1, 13, 8 = 22
7. Kenneth Gray 8, 6, 12 = 26
8. Shawn Vowels 9,9,10 = 28
9. Geoffery Pierini 15, 8, 6 = 29
10. Scott Gregory 7, 5, 19 = 31

CORINTHIAN HEAT
Congratulations to Bob Dockery and his Barracuda crew as they are the 2006 Melges 24 St. Petersburg NOOD Corinthian Champions. This regatta is usually a great haven for some of the most competitve Corinthians in the fleet and this year was no exception. With approximately 90% of the fleet flying Corinthian colors this was the ultimate showdown.

Right behind Dockery was Steve Jones and his Sick Puppy crew. They sprung from the fleet and played the game of consistency well, which landed them not only the second place slot on the Corinthian podium, but third place overall.

Bora Gulari at the helm for Rob Bunn put on a show Saturday as their first race finish is what hurt them the most, a 14th. A vast improvement was in order. They got their act together and hit a homerun in race two earning a bullet. Race three offered a dual to a second place finish against Eric Nerlinger. Beating him by half-a-boat length.

TOP FIVE CORINTHIAN RESULTS
1. Bob Dockery
2. Steve Jones/Eric Andrews
3. Bora Gulari/Rob Bunn
4. Kenneth Gray
5. Scott Gregory

Further information and full results from www.usmelges24.com