2011 Melges 32 North American Championships

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A Hot Newport Summer Ushers In The 2011 Melges 32 North American Championship

(28 July 2011) As the 2011 international Melges 32 racing season progresses, the class is proud to welcome fifteen prime-time teams to Newport, R.I. for the second running of the North American Championship, hosted by Sail Newport. "Newport is a beautiful place during the summer, not to mention a great place to sail." said North American Fleet President John Taylor, owner and driver of Ninkasi. "I am certain that everyone is looking forward to a wonderful weekend of Melges 32 racing."

The best-of-the-best are in attendance, including 2011 Key West Race Week Champion William Douglass' Goombay Smash, twenty-year old 2010 U.S. National Champion Ryan DeVos on Volpe, and two-time Gold Cup Champion Rod Jabin on Ramrod. Fully stocked with some of the sailing world's biggest and brightest mega-superstars like Chris Larson, Ed Baird, Sam Rogers, Skip Baxter, Brad Read, Marco Constant and Andy Escourt, it is clear that these top three contenders have only one thing on the agenda, and that is to win. But, their bid for the title will not go unchallenged.

It will not be of any great shock or surprise to see Steve Howe on Warpath or Mark Plaxton on INTAC excel. Howe proved in Key West that he has what it takes to do well and knows how to position his team for the winners circle. For Plaxton, Key West was his big debut in the Melges 32 class, and as he further competed this past June at Nationals, clearly his second overall place finish helped him become the new team on the block to watch.

No one will deny that home court knowledge sometimes has its advantages. Nothing could be more true for Phil Lotz on Arethusa, Malcolm Gefter on Celeritas and Michael Dominguez's Bronco. All three are quite familiar with Narragansett Bay conditions so, they too could add to the mix of unpredictable competitive sailing.

More new faces are abound in the Melges 32 class. The fleet would like to offer an official first time welcome to Mystic, Connecticut's Bill Canning on Wild Horses. Canning will sail competitively for the first time with his wife and son aboard, in addition to a gaggle of friends.

Racing will take place over three days, beginning on Friday, July 29, continuing on Saturday and concluding on Sunday. Each day, stay close to the Melges 32 Blog, and check the Melges 32 Facebook page often. The latest news and developments from the course will be posted.

In addition to some great racing, a robust social calendar has also been planned. Complimentary beer is being supplied by Newport Storm and food will set the apres racing scene at the Newport Shipyard. "As the Ocean State's Micro brewery, Newport Storm is brewed to be a sailor's beer. We are thrilled to add this Melges 32 event to our regatta season." said Laura Blackwell, Visitors Center Manager, Newport Storm Brewery.

On Saturday night, an Owner's cocktail reception is planned on the rooftop/penthouse at Brown and Howard Wharf Marina.

NEWPORT IS OH SO SPECIAL
Newport is one of America's most lovely cities during the summer. Festivals, such as Folkfest and other traditional gatherings bring the area alive and amplify Newport's elegance and history. For the Melges 32 fleet, the excitement doesn't end this weekend. On September 9-11, the Melges 32 fleet returns to Newport for the Northeast Regatta being held in conjunction with the Newport's Sail For Pride Regatta, a full-on sailing celebration to honor those lost in the tragedy of September 11, 2001. All this in anticipation and build up to the 2012 Melges 32 World Championship on September 25-29 hosted by the prestigious New York Yacht Club.

USA SAILING SERIES : FOUR DOWN, THREE TO GO
Three events remain in the seven-part 2011 USA Sailing Series - the North American Championship (Newport), Northeast Regatta (Newport) and Southbound Regatta (Charleston, S.C.). Currently, Jason Carroll leads the Series Ranking, however is not present at the NAC which awards bonus points. 2011 Audi Sailing Series Champion Lanfranco Cirillo is in second followed by John Taylor in third. View The Full Ranking (After 4 Events).

Full Entry List
1.) Phil Lotz/Eric Doyle, Arethusa
2.) Michael Dominguez/Kevin Burnham, Bronco
3.) Malcolm Gefter/John Mollicone, Celeritas
4.) Dalton DeVos/Joe Glanfield, Delta
5.) William Douglass/Brad Read, Goombay Smash
6.) Mark Plaxton/Anthony Kotoun, INTAC
7.) Steve Rhyne/Johnny Lovell, Mojo
8.) John Taylor/Andy Green, Ninkasi
9.) Benjamin Schwartz/Charlie McKee, Pisces
10.) Rod Jabin/Chris Larson, Ramrod
11.) Kip Meadows/Andy Horton, roXanne
12.) Ryan DeVos/Ed Baird, Volpe
13.) Stephen Howe/Mark Ivey, Warpath
14.) Bill Canning/Peter Bergendahl, Wild Horses
15.) Alexis Michas/Brian Ledbetter, Zetiana

Official Event Website
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Youth First, Front And Center At Melges 32 North Americans

(July 29, 2011) After one full day of racing at the 2011 Melges 32 North American Championship, hosted by Sail Newport in Newport, R.I,. twenty-year-old Ryan DeVos along with tactician Ed Baird on Volpe is officially in charge. Leading by an impressive 8 point margin, DeVos currently reigns over Rod Jabin on Ramrod with tactician Chris Larson in second and Alexis Michas on Zetiana with tactician Brian Ledbetter is third. "Fortunately, we just happened to be in all the right spots. Today was all about location." said DeVos.

PRO Bruce Golison and team fired off three brilliant races just outside Narraganset Bay Sound to commence the championship. "The three races we had today were great. I thought they went off perfect." said Jabin. "At this point second place is not so bad. It's great to have the crew back. Today was all about patience."

Race one started under overcast conditions and moderate temps. For the last two days everyone was concerned about the breeze, i.e. how much there would be and whether or not there would be enough to produce any racing. A pleasant 8-10 knots filled in nicely with DeVos coming on strong, right out of the box to win. Steve Howe's Warpath did well taking second and Bill Canning on Wild Horses took third overall. For Canning, it was his first time to race competitively within the fleet and conservatively speaking, he did quite well landing mid-fleet after three heats.

The remaining races of the day saw the breeze shift further left resulting in Benjamin Schwartz'sPisces acquiring the lead, then going on to win race two. Steve Rhyne's Mojo took home a well-deserved second place finish. In third, is Ryan's younger cousin by two years, Dalton DeVos on Delta.

For the final race of the day, DeVos sailed a great race to take the lead from start to finish, then ultimately the win. "We had a bad start on the last race, but Ed called the layline about a mile out from the weathermark." said DeVos. "He makes it easy for me. It's all about coming out tomorrow and doing the same thing again." Michas captured an incredible second place finish followed by Jabin in third.

After racing, teams enjoyed great food and complimentary beer supplied by Newport Storm at the Newport Shipyard.

Racing continues on Saturday and Sunday.

Full Results (After 3 Races)
1.) Ryan DeVos/Ed Baird, Volpe; 1-4-1 = 6
2.) Rod Jabin/Chris Larson, Ramrod; 5-6-3 = 14
3.) Alexis Michas/Brian Ledbetter, Zetiana; 8-5-2 = 15
4.) Stephen Howe/Mark Ivey, Warpath; 2-7-6 = 15
5.) Steve Rhyne/Johnny Lovell, Mojo; 7-2-8 = 17
6.) Dalton DeVos/Joe Glanfield, Delta; 4-3-12 = 19
7.) Mark Plaxton/Anthony Kotoun; INTAC; 11-8-5 = 24
8.) Bill Canning/Peter Bergenthal, Wild Horses; 3-13-11 = 27
9.) Benjamin Schwartz/Charlie McKee, Pisces; 13-1-15 = 29
10.) Michael Dominguez/Kevin Burnham, Bronco; 14-11-4 = 29
Full Results

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The second day of racing at the 2011 Melges 32 North American Championship, hosted by Sail Newport was splendid as three more races were completed leaving Ryan DeVos onVolpe and tactician Ed Baird in the overall lead. Annapolis' Rod Jabin and tactician Chris Larson aboard Ramrod are standing firm in second. Steve Howe on Warpath, with tactician Mark Ivey are third.

The day started out under extremely light conditions. PRO Bruce Golison and race committee gave it an early start just north of Goat Island on the opposite side of the Newport Bridge. They were hoping that the light northerly breeze would have substance and be just enough to hold a morning time race prior to the forthcoming seabreeze in the afternoon. An extended onland postponement was put into play. The Race Committee soon communicated that it would be unlikely it would come down before 11.30 EDT. So, the teams waited.

During that wait period, the bay breeze revitalized itself and the fleet was guided to halfway rock, just north of Pell Bridge for the official start of day two, races four through six.

Gorgeous, simply beautiful sunny skies and warm temperatures set the perfect stage for three great races. The first race commenced about 1 o'clock with Jabin, DeVos and Kip Meadows' roXanne seizing the first race of the day. Dalton DeVos' Delta and his cousin, Ryan kept things interesting as the two rounded the first windward mark side-by-side, William Douglas' Goombay Smash was third. D. DeVos overtook R. DeVos downwind, but to their surprise Benjamin Schwartz's Pisces snook in from the right to take the lead. D. DeVos gained upwind to trump Schwartz at the final weathermark of the race. DeVos' Delta took the win, Schwartz was second and Newport's Malcolm Gefter on Celeritas was third.

Golison turned races around almost on a dime, with the second race of the day happening within a half-hour of the last finish. R. DeVos resurfaced as the team to beat as he dominated race two to win just ahead of Howe's Warpath in second and Mark Plaxton's INTAC in third.

The last race of the day offered up more unpredictability as to who exactly is able to win this championship. With the breeze, in some cases oscilating 30 degrees, it was again all about being in the right place at the right time. Jabin further delivered an astonishing performance to win, securing his second place overall position in the final standings. Plaxton took second and Howe was third. John Taylor's Ninkasi was fourth and William Douglass' Goombay Smash rounded out the top five.

More complimentary beer supplied by Newport Storm at the Newport Shipyard. Owner's enjoyed a wonderful Owner's reception and cocktail party at Brown and Howard Wharf in the evening.

Going into Sunday's races, R. DeVos leads by three, which is hardly considered comfortable in this highly competitive fleet. All eyes will be on Jabin and Howe for only one point separate the two, respectively seated second and third.

Sunday is the final day of racing.

Full Results (After 6 Races, one discard)
1.) Ryan DeVos/Ed Baird, Volpe; 1-4-1-9-1-[11] = 16
2.) Rod Jabin/Chris Larson, Ramrod; 5-6-3-[13]-4-1 = 19
3.) Stephen Howe/Mark Ivey, Warpath; 2-7-6-[12]-2-3 = 20
4.) Mark Plaxton/Anthony Kotoun; INTAC; [11]-8-5-6-3-2 = 24
5.) Steve Rhyne/Johnny Lovell, Mojo; 7-2-8-5-5-[13] = 27
6.) Alexis Michas/Brian Ledbetter, Zetiana; 8-5-2-4-[10]-9 = 28
7.) Dalton DeVos/Joe Glanfield, Delta; 4-3-[12]-1-11-12 = 31
8.) Benjamin Schwartz/Charlie McKee, Pisces; 13-1-[15]-2-13-10 = 39
9.) John Taylor/Andy Green, Ninkasi; 9-12-[13]-7-9-4 = 41
10.) William Douglass/Brad Read, Goombay Smash; 6-[16/DNF]-10-14-7-5 = 42
Full Results

Official Event Website
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DeVos Crowned Melges 32 North American Champion

(Newport, RI, July 31, 2011) Congratulations are in full order for twenty-year old Ryan DeVos aboard Volpe. Ed Baird called tactics while Dick DeVos, Scott Nixon, Sam Rogers, Mike Hill, Drew Weirda, Alex Clegg and Cary Seigler served as crew. Less than one year ago, the young DeVos captured the U.S. National title, now he carries one of the most prestigious in the international class, that of North American Champion.

Steve Howe on Warpath took second place honors while Rod Jabin's Ramrod finished third.

Teams traveled out to the course around 10.30 after a short on land postponement. On the water, they sat around for a little more than two hours before the raceable breeze finally decided to make an appearance. The first race of the day got underway just before 1 o'clock. Howe put the pressure on early as he rounded the top mark in first, followed by Ryan DeVos and John Taylor's Ninkasi. Schwartz was fourth and Dalton DeVos on Delta was fifth. On the first downwind leg, Schwartz separated from the pack taking him from fourth to third. More pressure up the left side of the course helped him get ahead of DeVos, but not for long. Howe took the win, Ryan DeVos didn't skip a beat to take second and Schwartz took third.

Race two of the day, the final race in the eight-part series witnessed Alexis Michas on Zetianarounding the top mark in first, Dalton DeVos in second and Steve Rhyne on Mojo in third. Jabin rounded fourth. Downwind, Dalton DeVos gained ground to take over the lead and took it to the finish line for the big win. Rhyne slipped in right at the line to take second ahead of Michas.

After racing, an awards ceremony was held to publicly, officially crown DeVos as North American Champion and the runners up.

A VERY SPECIAL THANKS
The International Melges 32 Class would like to extend many thanks to PRO Bruce Golison and his team compised of wife Margo, Taran Teague, Bruce Bingham and scorer Steve Washburn. Special thanks to the entire staff of Sail Newport, especially Brad Read, Anderson Reggio and Kim Cooper. The Newport Shipyard played the great role of regatta headquarters. A very special thanks to Veronica Brown as we simply could not have done it without her. Thanks to Melges USA Representative Anthony Kotoun and Newport Storm for supplying the thirsty fleet with complimentary beer all weekend long.

Full Results (After 6 Races, one discard)
1.) Ryan DeVos/Ed Baird, Volpe; 1-4-1-9-1-[11]-3-9- = 28
2.) Stephen Howe/Mark Ivey, Warpath; 2-7-6-12-2-3-1-[13] = 33
3.) Rod Jabin/Chris Larson, Ramrod; 5-6-3-[13]-4-1-10-5 = 34
4.) Dalton DeVos/Joe Glanfield, Delta; 4-3-[12]-1-11-12-4-1 = 36
5.) Steve Rhyne/Johnny Lovell, Mojo; 7-2-8-5-5-[13]-8-2 = 37
6.) Alexis Michas/Brian Ledbetter, Zetiana; 8-5-2-4-10-9-[13]-3 = 41
7.) Mark Plaxton/Anthony Kotoun; INTAC; [11]-8-5-6-3-2-9-10 = 43
8.) Benjamin Schwartz/Charlie McKee, Pisces; 13-1-[15]-2-13-10-2-8 = 49
9.) William Douglass/Brad Read, Goombay Smash; 6-[16/DNF]-10-14-7-5-7-4 = 53
10.) John Taylor/Andy Green, Ninkasi; 9-12-[13]-7-9-4-5-7 = 53
Full Results

Official Event Website
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