Miami Grand Prix less than a month away
by Jeanne Kleene 10 Feb 2010 07:54 GMT
4-7 March 2010
Popular South Beach venue and competitive classes attract International talent
There will be no shortage of top-tier competition at the 2010 Miami Grand Prix. Racing sailors from across the country and around the world are setting their sights on Premiere Racing’s second South Florida event. Melges 32, Farr 40 and IRC boats will race in the sparkling ocean waters off beautiful South Beach March 4-7.
Following a spectacular 10-race series in Key West last month, the competition moves to Miami, where some of the world’s best will vie for class championships and the combined Florida Grand Prix trophies.
The Miami Grand Prix provides another opportunity for Farr 40 programs to fine tune crew work and boat speed in preparation for their April World Championship in the Dominican Republic’s Casa de Campo. Jim Richardson’s Barking Mad (Newport, RI) and Massimo Mezzaroma’s Nerone (Punta Ala, IT) will look to improve on their 2nd and 3rd place finishes at Key West Race Week.
The Melges 32 southern winter circuit concludes with the Miami Grand Prix. Points earned at the December Gold Cup in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and the class Mid Winter Championships in Key West will count with Miami results for the coveted combined trophy. By the first entry deadline, 22 of these high performance sport boats hailing from Italy, Japan and the UK and nine different states had entered. With the top performers from Key West on hand it will be asking a lot for John Kilroy and his superb Samba Pa Ti crew to repeat their dominant performance that resulted in Key West Boat of the Week honors.
The small IRC class numbers will be offset by some intense competition. Jim Madden’s J/125 Stark Raving Mad was a runaway winner in PHRF 1 last month in Key West. They will race under the IRC Rule in Miami with Key West’s IRC 2 runner up Cool Breeze (Mills 43) one of a number of quality IRC boats to be reckoned with.
North America’s Riviera offers the ideal late winter getaway with warm sunshine, reliable ocean winds and world class restaurants and nightlife. Premiere Racing’s professional race management and top-tier competitors will produce four memorable days of racing. The entry deadline is February 19.
Race Headquarters is at the Miami Beach Marina, the official site and exclusive marina. Mount Gay Rum is the official rum. The Avalon and South Seas Hotels are the Official Host Hotels. Shake-A-Leg Miami is the official charity.
Click here for current entries, past results, planning details and online entry.