KAHN FAMILY BATTLE IT OUT ON THE TERRA NOVA KEY WEST RACE COURSE

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. Thirteen year old Shark Kahn has taken the tiller this week to become the youngest ever helm in an international Melges 24 event.

Shark first came to our attention as the youngest skipper at the 2001 Melges 24 Worlds, held in association with last year's Key West Race Week, when top Finn sailor Mo Hart helmed the boat for him. After two years sailing in the Melges and with extensive experience in both big boats and dinghies Shark decided it was time to up the ante and four months ago he started helming. During the last month he has put in many hours practise from the Kahn family base in Hawaii and this week that practise is really paying off.

Going into the final day of racing Shark is lying a very creditable 22nd in what has to be one of the strongest Melges 24 fleets around. Not only that but he is also giving his father a really good run for his money. Shark is only four places behind him in the overall standings and of the seven races sailed so far he has beaten him in three of them. With one more day of racing to go a draw is still well within his sights!

As well as sailing the Melges 24 Shark is embarking on a 29er campaign with his ninteen year old cousin Brian, who also crews for him on the Melges. Later this year Shark will be racing at the Melges 24 Worlds in San Francisco and I'm sure it wont be long before he'll be showing up on the winners rostrum. Look out Philippe and the rest of the Melges fleet - this young man has you in his sights!

For full results visit www.premiere-racing.com.