Audi Melges 20 World Championship at San Francisco Yacht Club - Overall
by Joy Dunigan 5 Oct 2015 08:27 BST
28 September - 3 October 2015
Kilroy becomes Audi Melges 20 World Champion, Russia's Evdokimenko wins Corinthian Crown
Two final races end with the crowning of the Audi Melges 20 Class' first back-to-back World Champion, Corinthian trophy lands in Russian hands
It was a dramatic final day in San Francisco at the 2015 Audi Melges 20 World Championship hosted by The San Francisco Yacht Club (SFYC). John Kilroy, Jr. aboard Samba Pa Ti has won his second, consecutive title. With the win, double success is also extended to crew member Jeff Reynolds, and Bill Hardesty who becomes a two-time Melges 20 World Champion tactician.
At the awards ceremony, Kilroy gave a heart-warming speech about his team and how Liam, came to sail in the Audi Melges 20 Class. "This is such an amazing class. This is the smallest boat I have ever sailed and I never thought I was going to be in this class for more than a year," said a very emotional Kilroy. "It is such a great honour to be here, before you all - as an owner, as a family. And, I thank you for accepting Liam. I thank everyone in this room. I thank you for being the wonderful people that you are. This class is special. I salute you."
In second overall, Cesar Gomes Neto on Portobello had a fantastic event. "I like a lot of breeze. Believe it or not, it keeps me calm. The light air makes me nervous," said Gomes Neto at the awards ceremony. "It was a lot of fun. This is such a nice class. So many great sailors. I just love this. I wish I knew how fast we were going today, but there was so much water downwind coming over the boat."
Liam Kilroy on Wildman came away from the Worlds with a third place trophy, followed by Guido Miani on Out of Reach finishing the event in fourth. It was a very proud day for Jim Wilson and his Oleander team as they rounded out the top five.
In the all-amateur team division, Oleg Evdokimenko on Kotyara with Aleksander Andrianov and Kontstantin Besputin are newly crowned Corinthian World Champions. "The racing was amazing this week and we were so happy to be racing in San Francisco," said Konstantin Besputin, Corinthian World Champion crew member. "This was a great place to have a Worlds, racing against the very best sailors. This win was a great step for us as a team."
"We hope to see many of the teams at the Monaco Winter Series that is happening over the next few months. There is great racing for sure. All of the events are very organized and regatta management is fantastic."
Paul Currie at the helm of Wild Deuces with Justin Barnes and David Mori from Canada completed the event in second overall. Jay Golison driving Midlife Crisis with crew members Steve Flam and Keiran Searle were third.
All top tier teams were awarded trophies and Stella Rosa's 954 Champagne.
The final day of Worlds in San Francisco culminated in two final races that were absolute knock-down drag outs, literally for some. Early forecasts predicted the breeze would get bigger as the day went on, the real question was of course how quickly, if and when would it reach the Class' wind speed maximum.
Race Seven was won by Kilroy, securing his World Championship title. Corrado Agusta's Customly proved that he and his team were still in the groove with a successful first race of the day to take second. Drew Weirda's Merga had a great race to finish third.
For the final heat of the World Championship series. Under sunshine and 18-20 knots, Gomes Neto made it count, getting out front for the win. The top mark roundings and downwind runs were sheer entertainment as some teams were hit hard on the gybe sets allowing for other teams to unexpectedly advance. Freides recovered from a disappointing thirty-fourth in Race Seven to finish second. Miani was third.
A deep and very special thanks
No World Championship happens by itself. It is tough to organize and most especially, it takes hard work to keep it unfolding smoothly. The International Audi Melges 20 Class (IAM20CA) would like to thank Event Chairwoman Angie Lackey and Forrest Gay amongst the many volunteers that came together on the behalf of The San Francisco Yacht Club to make the World Championship a successful regatta.
The Class would also like to thank every team that traveled to participate. Without your support and dedication to this style of racing, the Worlds would not have been possible.
The International Audi Melges 20 Class Association (IM20CA) is thrilled to welcome the following sponsors: Lagunitas Brewing, No. 3 London Dry Gin, Martin Ray Vineyards and Winery, Pusser's Rum and Santero.
As always, the IM20CA is eternally grateful to the outstanding and excellence in product and sales support from Melges USA, Melges Europe, Melges Asia Pacific, Melges Russia and Melges Japan.
Up next...
The IAM20CA moves on to Miami and to Monaco for the commencement of the Winter Series racing regattas. Registration is already online for the three 2015/16 Miami Winter Series events. More information can be found online regarding the events in Europe at melges20.com.
Overall Results: (top ten, 8 races, 1 discard)
1.) John Kilroy, Samba Pa Ti; 1-6-3-2-4-1-1-[16] = 18pts
2.) Cesar Gomes Neto, Portobello; 5-2-[16]-6-6-5-6-1 = 31pts
3.) Liam Kilroy, Wildman; [13]-1-6-1-1-8-9-6 = 32pts
4.) Guido Miani, Out of Reach; 2-[22]-5-10-2-4-15-3 = 41pts
5.) Jim Wilson, Oleander; 9-[25]-2-4-9-6-11-5 = 46pts
6.) Drew Freides, Pacific Yankee; [18]-8-1-5-3-10-34-2 = 47pts
7.) Corrado Agusta, Customly; [40/DNF]-9-21-8-7-2-2-9 = 40pts
8.) Alessandro Rombelli, STIG; 10-3-8-[27]-11-21-10-4 = 67pts
9.) Achille Onorato, Mascalzone Latino Jr.; 6-13-4-[24]18-9-8-11 = 69pts
10.) Brian Porter, Shimmer; [20]-18-11-3-12-12-7-7 = 70pts
Corinthian Results: (top three, 8 races, 1 discard)
1.) Oleg Evdokimenko, Kotyara = 147 ptspts
2.) Paul Currie, Wild Deuces = 180 ptspts
3.) Jay Golison, Midlife Crisis = 194 pts