Showdown In Newport On Sunday For Melges 24 Layline Oakcliff National Title

26 June 2010; Newport, R.I. - The brilliant and bold WTF owned by Alan Field currently leads the Melges 24 fleet at the 2010 Layline Oakcliff National Championship, hosted by Sail Newport. In second overall is Geoff Ewenson at the helm of JC Raby’s Evil Donut and in third, Charleston’s David Dabney on Conejo Racing-Ocean Sailing Academy.

"This is really hard. Last year, when we did the Gold Cup in Traverse City, that was tough. The Gulf Coast Championship was tough. The Charleston guys are really good," commented Field after racing. "We came here to race, so with only two points separating us and Ewenson, this should be good."

Conditions started out light, 5-7 knots and built to a pleasant 10-12 knots for the final race of the day, exceeding everyone's expectations.

Light air prevailed at the start with many of the event leaders having an intense race. Field closed the overall gap in race one with a win. Second place was hard fought between Ewenson, Guy Mossman on Battle Rhythm and Dabney. In the end, Field made out with a substantial lead leaving Kevin Dooley on Oakcliff Sailing Club and Ewenson to battle for second. Dooley won the heat, Ewenson settled for third.

The start of race two brought a little more breeze, this time with Dooley getting a slice of the winning pie. Dabney exceled as did Corinthian Henry Filter on Wild Child. Filter actually lead the fleet around the mark in first, but in such a competitive fleet, it was tough to hold off the likes of Dabney, Jennifer Wilson on Convexity and Simon Strauss on Simplicity. With Dooley in the winner’s chair, Dabney took second, Ewenson was third.

For the final race of the day, another Charlestonian got in on the action. David O’Reilly onARDOR/C.R.E.A.M. came on strong for an incredible win. With the breeze in the range of 10-12 knots, the fast and fun factor was firmly in place. Dabney found his way to another second place finish taking his overall score into the top five. Ewenson was third again, Field finished a tough fourth and Corinthian Sean Scarborough on Rhino took an nice fifth.

After racing, beer and snacks were waiting for the teams arrival, prepping them for the Melges Rocks Party at Riptide!

Top Five Results (After 6 Races and 1 Discard)
1.) Alan Field, WTF; 2-[6]-2-1-3-4 = 12
2.) Geoff Ewenson/J.C. Raby, Evil Donut; 1-3-4-3-[10]-3 = 14
3.) David Dabney, Conejo Racing - Ocean Sailing Academy; [14]-1-6-5-2-2 = 16
4.) Henry Filter, Wild Child; 6-4-1-7-6-[8] = 24
5.) Jennifer Wilson, Convexity; 3-5-5-[14]-4-7 = 24

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Official Event Website

ABOUT THE SPONSORS
The 2010 Melges 24 National Championship is graciously supported and encouraged by the following businesses. The U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA) is especially grateful to title sponsors Layline and Oakcliff Sailing Center.

LAYLINE
The 'Original Performance Sailing Retailer', for over 20 years, Layline is back with a new vigor to provide sailors with the absolute best in custom rigging, gear, and sailing apparel. Layline is proud to be the Title Sponsor and Official Supplier of Gear and Rigging of the 2010 Layline Oakcliff U.S. Melges 24 Nationals as well as the Platinum Sponsor of the U.S. Optimist Class, Official Supplier to their U.S. National Team and Title Sponsor of the 2010 USODA Layline Nationals. Visit layline.com to learn more.

OAKCLIFF SAILING CENTER
The Oakcliff Sailing Center, located in Oyster Bay, NY offers a growth path for sailors who are serious about excelling in competition as well as in the business of sailing. Operating from an America's Cup-like campus, they maintain a cutting edge fleet of Swedish Match 40's, Shields, Melges 24's, Farr 40's, IRC racers, and three classic wooden yachts.

As a foundation dedicated to the growth of individuals who are serious about the sport, Oakcliff founded the Acorn Program. This program immerses recipients in the world of sailing, covering everything from the sponsorship/business side of sailing, to high-level match racing skills. Graduating Acorns are fully prepared to manage race boats, sail in the America's Cup or become a business entrepreneur. Visit oakcliffsailing.org to learn more.

SAIL NEWPORT
Sail Newport's Mission is to grow the sport of sailing, bring special events to Newport, and to provide public access to sailing programs in Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay for all ages and all economic levels. Sail Newport's one design storage, regatta and service facilities make it the home for one design fleets such as the massive J/24 Fleet 50, the Laser 413 Frostbite Fleet and the 30+ boat Newport Shields Fleet 8. Visit sailnewport.org to learn more.

The USMCA would also like to extend a very special thank you to Melges USA, Quantum Sail Group,Cre843, Boston Meridian and Mac Designs.

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The Melges 24 is designed by Reichel Pugh and considered the most unique one design sportboat in the world as well as one of the fastest-growing classes of high performance yachts. For more information visit the U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA) and the International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA) on the web.

For more information or press photos, please contact:
Joy Dunigan
U.S. Melges 24 Class Association
Press Officer | Class Communications Director
+1 (912) 398-5776
skype: JOYSAVANNAH