Melges 20 North American Championship - Samba Pa Ti victorious

by International Audi Melges 20 Class Association on 16 Sep 2013 In the 2013 Audi Melges 20 North America Championship, congratulations are in full order for John Kilroy aboard Samba Pa Ti as he and his crew are now 2013 Audi Melges 20 North American Champions. After an intense weekend battle with second overall Michael Kiss on Bacio, Kilroy won the event on countback as these two, very determined, very fierce competitors finished dead even in points with 22 each. Richard Davies aboard Section 16 placed third.

For the round of racing, although the wind pundits had predicted a breeze, a thick cloud cover persisted throughout the day preventing any thermal build and kept the breeze in the five to eight knot range. Excitement for the penultimate race built and an early charge to the line resulted in a general recall. In the subsequent restart, event leader Kilroy was among those called OCS. Kiss however, second overall in the series, had a clean start and sailed to a second in Race Seven setting up a duel for the championship in the final race.

Teams match raced to the first weather mark driving each other deep in the fleet. Kiss led by a boat length at the first rounding. After two more legs of close racing the positions had switched at the second weather mark rounding, where Kilroy held on to cross the finish ahead of Kiss.

This resulted in a tie for the overall with Kilroy ultimately taking the tie-breaker by virtue of one more second place.

Super thanks to PRO Taran Teague, and most especially the Port Credit Yacht Club for providing the great facilities and on-the-water support to the Audi Melges 20 Class. The International Audi Melges 20 Class, in particular would like to thank Ms. Rhonda Joyce and Mike Wolfs. Without them, this event would not have been possible. Thank you both!

The next stop will be the pre-Worlds in Miami, November 1-3, followed by the World Championships at Ocean Reef in Key Largo, December 11-14. See you all there!

Top 10 Results (After Eight Races, With A Discard)

1.) John Kilroy, Samba Pa Ti; 1-2-3-4-1-2-[13]-9 = 22
2.) Michael Kiss, Bacio; 6-1-1-5-4-3-2-[13] = 22
3.) Richard Davies, Section 16; 4-10-5-2-2-[12]-4-3 = 30
4.) John Taylor, Ninkasi; 7-5-2-1-3-4-11-[14] = 33
5.) Jon Messenger, Black Sheep; 8-4-[11]-7-8-6-1-2 = 36
6.) Daniel Thielman, Kuai; 2-3-4-3-6-10-10-[11] = 38
7.) Erwyn Naidoo, Bohica; 5-7-9-[16]-9-7-3-7 = 47
8.) Brian Hill, Atlas; 9-6-12-6-10-1-[15]-4 = 48
9.) David Pollock, dp; 3-[12]-10-8-12-11-6-8 = 58
10.) Hiroshi Kurokawa, Spray; 10-[16]-6-9-13-5-8-10 = Event website