John Pollard Wins 2007 Sperry Top-Sider Melges 24 St. Petersburg Nood
From Joy Dunigan of the USMCA - John Pollard from Torquay, UK on 'GBR-650 Xcellent' is the 2007 Melges 24 St. Petersburg NOOD Champion! Pollard along with Rob Smith calling tactics — worst finish for the last two days of racing was eighth! Also onboard was Charlie Hooks, John's wife Kate was on bow and James Wall was serving on the foredeck as well. "We were quick. When you're fast you can win. The main thing is when you have the speed you can win. Despite the various conditions from Friday and Saturday we were able to stay that way. We put a lot of time into this. We do about five or six events here in the States, then we go back and do the European circuit — the Volvo Cup in Italy, Marseille in France, Europeans in Germany and then we'll be back for the U.S. Nationals in Detroit in September. We fly back to the UK on that Sunday, then a day later we'll do the U.K. Nationals," commented Smith.
The last day of racing could be best described as 'big breeze on' but not one Melges 24 was able to feel, touch or see it. The day started immediately with a race postponement that eventually resulted in a full cancellation of racing for the day. So, the final results from Saturday stands with Pollard in first with fifteen points total. Othmar Mueller Von Blumencron (Great Falls, VA) on 'USA-679 Gannet' is in the second place position followed by USMCA President and IMCA Vice Chairman (US) H. Scott Gregory (Marietta, Ga.) in third. In fourth place was the second of two English entries Eamonn O'Nolan with John Gimson at the helm of 'GBR-676 UnlimitedSailing.com Batueaneuf' and in fifth overall was Bora Gulari driving for Rob Bunn (Grosse Point Woods, Mich.) on 'USA-202 Rumblur'.
FINAL TOP TEN OVERALL RESULTS
1.) John Pollard, Xcellent; 1, 1, 1, 8, 3, 1 = 15
2.) Othmar Mueller Von Blumencron, Gannet; 3, 2, 2, 9, 4, 8 = 28
3.) H. Scott Gregory, Team Satisfaction; 8, 4, 5,4, 1, 7 = 29
4.) Eamonn O'Nolan, ultimatesailing.com Bateauneuf; 2, 16, 6, 2, 2, 2 = 30
5.) Bora Gulari/Rob Bunn, Rumblur; 5, 5, 71, 8, 9 = 35
6.) Paul Hulsey, Hoodlum Racing; 9, 7, 4, 5, 11, 6 = 42
7.) John Jennings/Bob Dockery, Barracuda; 4, 6, 3, 17, 6, 10 = 46
8.) Argyle Campbell, Rock n' Roll; 11, 3, 8, 20, 5, 3 = 50
9.) Kelly Gough/Shawn Grisham, Bulls Eye; 12/RDG, 11, 13, 7, 7, 11 = 61
10.) Geoffery Pierini, Gazoo; 17, 8, 11, 3, 15, 17 = 71
CORINTHIAN HEAT
The St. Petersburg is a natural venue for the hottest Corinthian competition in the Melges 24 fleet. This year has produced yet another amazing fleet of participants — all top five Corinthian competitors are included within the top ten overall standings! Not only is this an event where the Melges 24 continues to be the largest in attendance, but it is also one of the largest Corinthian gatherings — nineteen of the forty-five teams qualified as Corinthians. Congratulations to everyone!
FINAL MELGES 24 CORINTHIAN RESULTS
1.) Othmar Mueller Von Blumencron, Gannet
2.) Bora Gulari/Rob Bunn, Rumblur
3.) Paul Hulsey, Hoodlum Racing
4.) John Jennings/Bob Dockery, Barracuda
5.) Kelly Gough/Shawn Grisham, Bulls Eye
6.) Marty Jensen/Moxie
7.) Bob McElwain/Silver
8.) Charlie Hess/Temerity
9.) August Hernandez/Team Domino
10.) Jeff Lindheim/Beer Goggles
11.) Greg McCliment/Cujo
12.) Reid Collins/Desperate Measures
13.) Gary Schwarting/Obsession
14.) Marc Steyn/Vapour Trail
15.) Tom Single/Juggling Act
16.) Scott Zerban/Aoxomoxoa
17.) Gerry Creasman/Aiemef
18.) Bill Rountree/Nobody's Girl
19.) John Signor/Road Trip
Thank you to the entire Sailing World staff and NOOD Organization that made this regatta possible. A very special thanks to the race committee. The racing was world-class!
The St. Petersburg NOOD Regatta is the first of several year long Southeast Championship events. "We are extremely happy with the turnout as it is one of the largest we have had. The next event is the Southeast Championship Inland Championship on March 23-25 at Lake Lanier, Ga. which has been rapidly growing for the last five years. We have at least fifteen boats committed and should anyone have any questions and/or needs any help I am the point of contact," said USMCA Southeast District Governor Reid Collins. Reid can be contacted via email. Next event on the 2007 North American Ranking Schedule is the fantastic Pacific Coast Championship on April 21-22, 2007 in San Francisco, California then its onward to the 2007 Fullpower Melges 24 World Championship held in Santa Cruz, California, May 3-12.
For more information or press photos, please contact Joy Dunigan, USMCA Class Communications Director and U.S. Melges 24 Class Press Officer via email at communications@usmelges24.com or by phone at (912) 398-5776.