Audi Melges 20 World Championship, you Lucky Dog

Key Largo – Opening day of the 2013 Audi Melges 20 World Championship, hosted by the Ocean Reef Club in full coordination with the International Audi Melges 20 Class Association, Coconut Grove Sailing Club and Melges USA ushered in three great races leaving Travis Weisleder, tactician Scott Nixon and bowman John Bowden aboard Lucky Dog/Gill Race Team in first overall. Weisleder played a fine game of consistency, ultimately giving him a healthy advantage over the 52-strong World Championship fleet.

“We had a great day. We’ve spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to make the boat go fast. We found some clear lanes that helped us keep the boat moving forward. That was really what kept us going. We had awesome starts. Our practice paid off.” commented Weisleder post racing.

Under sunny skies, warm temps and choppy seas, PRO Bruce Golison fired off three heats resulting in three different race winners. John Taylor’s Ninkasi blasted out of the gate turning the top mark first to win Race One. Jason Michas at the helm of Midnight Blue came on strong early then extended to win Race Two. Tony Tabb’s Yolo had a spectacular day to win Race Three. Each of the race winners took home bottles of champagne for their efforts, but it was Weisleder’s impressive consistency that awarded him the big daily prize – a Pusser’s Rum Survival Kit, courtesy of World Championship sponsor Pusser’s Rum.

In the Corinthian Division, Marcus Eagan on Cajun Underwriting with his father Marc and brother Andrew occupies the top spot, followed by John Brown’s Blind Squirrel in second. Frank McLaughlin’s CAN-254 rounds out the top three amatuer teams.

2013 Audi Melges 20 World Championship racing continues on Thursday, December 12 at 11.00.

Results
1. Lucky Dog/Gill Race Team, 2-9-4, 15
2. Yolo, 5-17-1, 23
3. Midnight Blue, 4-1-20, 25
4. Heartbreaker, 16-6-10, 32
5. Section 16, 20-15-2, 37
…

To see full results click here.

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