Melges in Mississippi

30 knots for first day of Gulf Coast Championship

Racing commenced today at the 2005 Melges 24 Gulf Coast Championship in Jackson, Mississippi at the Jackson Yacht Club. Leading a fleet comprised of ten Melges 24 teams is Travis Weisleder on Carloan.com. Weisleder is a member of the Bay Head Yacht Club and USMCA Secretary/Treasurer, made a special trip from his home base in Virginia to participate in the 2005 GCC North American Ranking Event number three.

Teams arrived in Jackson on Friday, March 11 for registration, weigh-in and welcoming ceremonies. The practice race previously scheduled was cancelled due to 30-35 knots and gale force wind predictions. "It was tough enough having to rig the boats in those conditions, much less go out for a practice race and risk breaking something," said Eric Andrews on Sick Puppy.

Breakfast was prepared and served on Saturday morning for all the teams - and they needed it! Ahead of them was an exciting day of intense, high performance Melges 24 racing. Four races were scheduled and completed, temperatures were in the mid-70s and sustained wind speeds of 25-30 knots kept everyone on their toes and the spectators on the edge of their seats.

Andrews commented. "The Jackson Yacht Club has been incredible. What an amazing facility. It overlooks the Ross Barnett Reservoir. It is a really great setting and can comfortably accommodate another 10-15 boats. This regatta offers typical lake sailing conditions. Even with the wind like it was today, the water wasn't flat but instead we periodically experienced a 2 ft chop. It was wet on the boat, definitely a foul weather gear day!"

Weisleder and his Carloan.com team came to grips early on with really good boat speed and handling resulting in a first place finish in the first race, followed by USMCA Gulf Coast District Governor Matt Mayo on Trickey Monkey in second place. Regatta Chair David Scruggs on Bravo Zuluwas third. In the second race of the day, Weisleder found himself back out ahead of the fleet, this time Mark Bryan with Barking Fish. Hull No. 1 was second and Mayo trailed landing the third place position. The third race was a carbon copy of the first, Weisleder won, Mayo took second and Scruggs was third. By the final race of the day, every team was feeling the exhaustion brought on by the heavy air conditions. The winds were still in the 20-30 knot range and not showing any signs of letting up. Weisleder and his team struggled in the last race settling for a second place finish, behind Mark Bryan who won. Mark Geisling on Devil Dog took third.

Going into tomorrow's racing Weisleder leads the Regatta with 5 points. The next nearest contenders is Bryan and Mayo both tied for second with 15 points each.