Star studded cast

Melges 24 and 32 will be the biggest fleets at this year's Acura Key West 2009

A strong turn-out is expected in both the Melges 24 and 32 classes at this month's Acura Key West 2009, presented by Nautica

The Melges 24 will be the largest fleet in attendance.

Among the top names in this fleet will be two-time Melges 24 World Champion Vince Brun from San Diego, CA on Bailout; Chris Rast at the helm for Franco Rossini on Blu Moon; 2008 North American Ranking Champion Brian Porter on Full Throttle; Gabrio Zandona helming Italian Giovanni Maspero's legendary Joe Fly; and recently crowned Melges 24 Atlantic Coast Champion John Kolius on KO Sailing.

Tough competition is also expected from 2008 Melges 24 World Champion Lorenzo Bressani on Lorenzo Santini's seriously fast Uka Uka Racing.

USMCA President and International Vice Chairman Travis Weisleder will be on X-Carloan.com and Vice Chairman Riccardo Simoneschi on Giacomel Audi Melges 24 are both looking to make a statement in Key West as well.

Although the Corinthian division is light (only four of the total 33 entries qualified), it is full of the best amateurs this fleet has to offer including Bruce Ayres on Monsoon who in fact, is the defending champion in Key West. Gary Schwarting on Obsession recently won the Key Largo Regatta so, certainly he'll be one of Ayres' biggest challengers.

The line-up will also feature new members Neily Williamson on Millewa Milluna and perennial one design sailor Steve Howe on Warpath.

Meanwhile twenty Melges 32s from six nations have signed up and confirmed spots on the starting line. In 2008, it was the third largest fleet in Key West. In 2009, it takes another step forward in its impressive four year history as the second largest in attendance behind the 24.

Among the entrants are the usual suspects: International Melges 32 Class President, defending Key West Champion and reigning U.S. National Champion Jeff Ecklund on STAR with Harry Melges calling tactics; 2008 Gold Cup Champions Marty Kullman and Mike Carroll on New Wave with Quantum's Scott Nixon as tactician; Bob Hesse on Lake Effect with tactician Max Skelley; and John Taylor on Ninkasi with Anthony Kotoun calling tactics. All are Key West regulars and back for more fun winter-time racing.

Upholding the true soul of the Melges 32 Class is Jason Carroll on Argo and his team of John Baxter, Molly Baxter, Chad Corning, Brian Fox, Daniel Litchfield, Patrick Mauro and Ben Bardwell. They are the only complete and total Corinthian outfit in the Key West Melges 32 fleet this year.

The International contingency is equally outstanding with 2008 Melges 32 East Coast Champion, Torbay's finest Joe Woods on 700 Red with tactician Morgan Reeser; Peter Rogers from Lymington on Highlife with Robert Larke calling tactics; and lady helm Kate Mullin driving for Canadian John Sherlock on Arkle employs the superior talents of tactician Richard Clarke. Italy is proudly represented by Carlo Alberini on Calvi Network with tactician Lorenzo Bodoni.

Relatively new to the class is Geoff Pierini on Shakedown with tactician, Tornado Olypmic sailor Charlie Ogletree and Speedboat owner Alex Jackson on Leenabarca with 2007 Melges 24 World Champion Dave Ullman calling the shots. Both teams competed for the first time at the Gold Cup Regatta in December 2008.

Completely new to the fleet is Star salior John Dane on War Canoe with fellow Olympian, Tornado sailor John Lovell serving as tactician; and from La Rochelle, France is 2006 Melges 24 Corinthian World Champion Jean-Francois Cruette with Cedric Pouligny as tactician.