USMCA NEWS

NEWS

TWENTY-EIGHT MELGES 24s ROCK CHARLESTON RACE WEEK

17 APRIL 2008 • After more than a month off from racing, the U.S. Melges 24 fleet has officially invaded Charleston Race Week. For the spring racing season, Charleston offers the ultimate in sailing conditions and southern hospitality — twenty-eight Melges 24 teams have appropriately signed-up to compete.

The field of participants is broad with Midwestern favorites Paul Hulsey and Marc Hollerbach; Southeast super stars like George Haynie, Bob McElwain as well as local Charlestonians Steve Kopf, Reggie Fairchild, Guy Mossman and John Lucas. Hailing from the Northeast, the likes of Henry Colie, John Hamilton and USMCA Northeast District Governor Bill Carleton have traveled the distance. Speaking of distance — a noteworthy dynamic duo, the matching Melges 24 husband and wife program of Peter and Kristen Lane from Tiburon, California are also making a show. This unique team slated Charleton's famous Race Week as one of many regattas to attend as they work they way up to a successful Nationals (September 2008, Charletson) and North Americans (October 2008, Annapolis). They did very well in Key West (Peter - 16; Kristen -23) and at the St. Petersburg NOOD (Peter - 6; Kristen - 14) so this is a team to watch as the USMCA looks ahead to upcoming major championships.

Charleston Race Week has always been popular with the Melges 24s. 2008 sheds new light on sportboat speed, challenge and fun in this warm, historical city. The 2008 Melges 24 U.S. Nationals is one of the hottest ticketed events for the class and will take place on September 18-21. Race Week could be perceived as a prelude as many of the teams are looking to Race Week to reveal secrets to winning, at the same time whip the fleet into shape as it comes out of a winter that seemed it would never end.

Racing for the Melges 24s gets underway pronto. The fun starts on Friday and continues through to Saturday and Sunday. Stay tuned to this site, or the official event website at www.charlestonraceweek.com

ENTRY LIST
01. USA 736, Babs, Henry Colie
02. USA 274, BIG SKY, Jim Gunderson
03. USA 489, Blur, Steven Kopf
04. USA 539, Brick House, Peter Lane
05. USA 21, Brinksmanship, C. B. Currier
06. USA 605, Carloan.com, Travis Weisleder
07. USA 136, CRE843, Cary Siegler
08. USA 687, Firewater, George Hayne
09. USA 700, Fu, Marc Hollerbach
10. USA 419, Hermes, Tony Stanley
11. USA 615, Hoodlum, Paul Hulsey
12. USA 125, Just Add Water, Sean O'Connor
13. USA 62, Megan, Bob McElwain
14. USA 1, Murderous Thugs, Justin P. Walling
15. USA 658, Mustang, John Hamilton
16. USA 514, No Decorum, J.C. Raby
17. USA 623, Out House, Kristen Lane
18. USA 245, Riot Act, Guy Mossman
19. USA 42, Rolling Stone, Chet Osborn
20. USA 444, Room 444 Improvement, Scott Baste
21. USA 78, Screaming Mimi, Marc Bailey
22. USA 450, Spray, John Lucas
23. USA 114, Temerity, Charlie Hess
24. USA 378, Tiburon, Bill Carleton
25. USA 292, USA 292, Ken King
26. USA 725, Vamoose, Robby Wilkins
27. USA 626, Wireless, Reggie Fairchild
28. GBR 592, Yoga, Simon Strauss