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2015 Melges 32 U.S. National Championship, the journey begins 2015 Melges 32 U.S. National Championship, the journey begins
The 2015 Melges 32 U.S. National Championship, hosted by the Lauderdale Yacht Club (LYC) and Bahia Mar Marina happens this weekend... 2015 Melges 32 U.S. National Championship, the journey begins

Ft. Lauderdale – The 2015 Melges 32 U.S. National Championship, hosted by the Lauderdale Yacht Club (LYC) and Bahia Mar Marina happens this weekend featuring several new teams ready to rub shoulders with class veterans for one of the Class’ most coveted titles.

Initial forecasts are calling for big breeze and waves – classic Lauderdale conditions, so all eleven top-notch entrants will get to experience what the Melges 32 was designed for: close, one-design racing at a high-performance, grand-prix level.

Of the eleven competitors, five have never raced stateside. Teams such as Andrea LaCorte’s Vitamina Amerikana and Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio’s g-Spot have performed very well in Europe, however the dynamics of big waves at this South Florida tropical racing venue will provide its own set of challenges.

Ft. Lauderdale can have a little bit of everything,” commented longtime Melges 32 sailor Scott Nixon. “If a cold front comes through we can get a tricky Northwesterly, and if we get premium Lauderdale conditions we will see 15-25 out of the East. It is shaping up to be a great weekend of racing.

Competing in their first Melges 32 event ever, German owners Christian Schwoerer and Veit Hemmeter on La Pericolosa have assembled a talented group of sailors to make a good first impression. With seasoned sailor Karol Jablonski helping to guide them around the racetrack, they are looking forward to the challenge. “We are very excited about the challenge of racing in the Melges 32 fleet,” commented Hemmeter. “Christian and I bought the boat together in June. Racing this class of boat is going to be a great adventure.

For the first time in the Melges 32 Class, the Nationals will award a Corinthian winner. Piloting a class rule that defines a Corinthian team as all non-pro sailors with the exception of one “Industry Pro”, the goal is to provide an additional title for those that aim to compete with Corinthian sailors, while still racing for the overall title.

Two Corinthian entries are slated to participate in this inaugural event, Grant Hood’s Team Quest from Toronto, and the newly formed Team Hydra that includes a roster of young talented sailors from Macatawa Bay, Larchmont and Ft. Lauderdale Yacht Clubs. While the Corinthian fleet is expected to grow as the season progresses, the Nationals will be a great battle for the first Corinthian National Championship title.

Partnering with the prestigious LYC, owners like Ed Tillinghast sailing Dark N’Stormy and Chris Wientjes on Stormvogel have booted up their programs, ready for a solid weekend of racing and a great winter series. The logistics are simple, and the easterly tradewinds are certainly more welcoming than the cold temps up north. With the long history with the Melges 32 Class, Lauderdale has a special feel and is a great home for the fleet and its owners.

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