With a race to spare

Claudio Recchi wins Melges 32 US Nationals in Newport

Claudio Recchi and his crew of Giovanni Puntello, Gabriele Benussi calling tactics, Federico Michetti, Emanuele Cecchini, Francesca Prina, Andrea Vigoni, Francesco Di Caprio and Enrico Pucci are the 2007 Melges 32 U.S. National Champions. The regatta series consisted of eight races in which Recchi delivered a 2-1-1-2-4-2-1-[17/DNC] performance was considered virtually unstoppable.

"This was an incredible pleasure. We were a little worried in the beginning because it has been so long since we have sailed together. We really thought we would not be good enough to win,' commented Recchi.

"We are really impressed to see how much the class has matured. It was a really tough regatta. There were moments when we were lucky, we sailed consistently. In the first upwind today it was really tight," continued Recchi. "The key to Let's Roll is that we are all good friends and we work really hard on the boat. We hike hard, and everyone just goes out and does their best. I trust Gabriele 100%. He is a phenomenal tactician and it's just a very good fit. This was the result of being really lucky, having good speed and good boat handling."

Proudly sitting in second place is Jeff Ecklund on Star, who also had an outstanding crew onboard. With Jeff, from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at the helm, Harry Melges III called tactics, Hans Melges, Jim Condon, and Bill Freytag served as the core. The very accomplished Lindsay Bartel was also on board along with Colin Smith — fresh off of his win at the 2007 Laser Radial North American Championship (an impressive 60 boat turn-out). At the ripe age of sixteen, he is the number one youth sailor in the country. In third, was Joe Woods from Devon, UK with Ruairidh Scott calling tactics, Tim Spink, Genevieve Spink, Paddy Bettesworth, Jamie Binmore, David Lenz and Tim Edwards on board Red.

It was breeze on for the final day of the 2007 Melges 32 National Championship at Sail Newport. With only two races scheduled, Claudio Recchi from Italy on Let's Roll was the overall leader, four points ahead of Ecklund in second, Rick Orchard from Deluth, Georgia was in third place.

The final race day saw sustained winds of 15-18 knots, sunshine, blue skies with big chop for sixteen Melges 32s. With an unassailable lead Recchi bowed out gracefully for the last race. "Everyone on the boat was a little upset, because this might be the last race for us on the Melges 32 this year,' said Recchi. "We will be back in Key West for certain."



Following the races, the awards ceremony took place where prizes were handed out respectively. Kattack Performance App partnered with the fleet this year just to prove how fast the Melges 32 really is! Congratulations to Doug Croker from Easton, Maryland on Canvasback as he and his crew won the Speed Demon Award. They were clocked doing 14.64 knots downwind on Saturday. The entire team walked away with special issue Kattack Performance Shirts — only available at the regatta. In second was Claudio Recchi at 14.53 knots and Jeff Ecklund was in third at 14.49 knots.

The Melges 32 Class would specifically like to recognize New Wave, the only entry at Nationals whose entire crew consisted of corinthian sailors only. Despite an eighth place overall finish, they are one of the most outstanding competitors in the fleet. The crew consisted of Marty Kullman (helm), Mike Carroll, Alex Shaffer, Ron "Hacksaw" Hyatt , John Jennings calling tactics, Steve Liebel, Judah Rubin, and Jay Kubel.

A special thanks to the race committee including PRO Ron Hopkins and the entire team at Sail Newport, in particular Brad Read, Adam DeSantis and Kim Cooper. And, most importantly to all the competitors who traveled so far to compete especially Joe Woods from England, Claudio Recchi from Italy and Geoff Masters from Australia.

The next stop on the racing circuit for the Melges 32 is the fantastic Rolex Big Boat Series in San Francisco, California!

TOP TEN RESULTS
1. Claudio Recchi; 2, 1, 1, 2, 4, 2, 1, [17/DNC] = 13
2. Jeff Ecklund; 3, 3, 2, 3, 1, 4, [7], 1 = 17
3. Joe Woods; 5, 2, [8], 4, 3, 6, 4, 2 = 26
4. Rick Orchard; 1, 4, [11], 1, 5, 7, 5, 7 = 30
5. David Hoyt; 7, 5, 5, 11, [13], 3, 2, 3 = 36
6. Glenn Darden; 8, 7, 4, 7, 6, 1, 10, [14] = 43
7. Bob Hesse; [9], 8, 3, 8, 9, 5, 6, 4 = 43
8. Marty Kullman/Mike Carroll; 6, [13], 6, 5, 2, 12, 8, 10 = 49
9. Doug Croker; 4, 6, 7, [10], 10, 10, 9, 5 = 51
10. Geoff Masters; 10, 10, 9,9, 7, 8, [15], 9 = 62

For more information on the class see: http://www.melges32.com