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Published: December 08 2011

Final race, Sunday, December 4, 2011, "THANKS FOR A LEGENDARY WEEKEND" hailed one of the Melges 32 Gold Cup competitors as this year's event came to a close.

LYC's regatta management team and club staff staged another world class weekend for the Melges 32 class in the 6th edition of our annual event, named the Melges 32 Gold Cup. The weekend was truly epic with a steady breeze all three days averaging 18 to 20 knots, fantastic food and super social activities. Many thanks to the Race Committee of PROs Joel Bowie and Clyde Wright, Jorge Agnese, Darren Alline, Peter Dery, Jeff Ecklund, Kent Fox, Are Friesecke, Bill and Laura Hampton, Nate Hoy, Tom Lihan, Ron McTighe, Bob Meagher, Phillip Muller, Vilhelm Roberts, Pat Ross, Dave Rulien, Lang Ryder, Buzz Smith and George Winslow. And very special thanks to Lisa Friesecke, Dave Hein and Mike Toppa who helped organize the flawless event. Finally, John Payne provided great memories of the event with his photography. It takes a great team to put on an event like the Melges 32 Gold Cup and our LYC team is truly outstanding.

On the water after three days and eight races, Steve Howe aboard Warpath, alongside tactician Morgan Larson and crewmembers Jeff Reynolds, Warwick Fleury, Zack Maxum, Mark Towill, James Maloney and Tim Klein, were crowned 2011 Melges 32 Gold Cup Champions. Reigning North American Champion Ryan DeVos on Volpe placed second overall. At his side was none other than America's Cup winner Ed Baird. Rounding out the top three was Joe Woods and tactician Geoff Carveth on Red, who has consistently placed in the top five over the last three years at Gold Cup.

Epic conditions had one impact on the event that disappointed all, especially the Melges sailors. The Race Committee made the prudent decision on Friday evening after consulting with the Melges owners to cancel the "LYC Sailing Foundation Junior Race Day" due to the windy conditions. Even though everyone was disappointed about the cancellation, the safety of our junior sailors was everyone's top priority.

TOP FIVE RESULTS (FINAL, After 8 Races)

1.) Steve Howe/Morgan Larson, Warpath; 1-1-1-[19/OCS]-1-2-8-2 = 16

2.) Ryan DeVos/Ed Baird, Volpe; 3-2-6-2-4-4-3-[8] = 24

3.) Joe Woods/Geoff Carveth, Red; 4-5-5-4-9-3-4-[19/DNC] = 34

4.) Jason Carroll/Cameron Appleton, ARGO; 12-[17]-4-7-2-8-1-4 = 38

5.) Dalton DeVos/Jonathan McKee, Delta; 9-4-3-9-8-[11]-5-1 = 39

Sailing Shorts (from Sailing Scuttlebutt)

Dec 07, 2011 08:48 am | newsletter writer

* Ft. Lauderdale, FL (December 4, 2011) - After three days and eight races, Steve Howe aboard Warpath, alongside of tactician Morgan Larson and crewmembers Jeff Reynolds, Warwick Fleury, Zack Maxum, Mark Towill, James Maloney and Tim Klein, have been crowned 2011 Melges 32 Gold Cup Champions. For Howe, who won four of the races, this is his first major win in the Melges 32 Class. Eighteen teams competed, with Ryan DeVos (Ed Baird

tactician) on Volpe and Joe Woods (Geoff Carveth tactician) on Red finishing in second and third, respectively. -- Full report:

http://www.melges32.com/?p=news&id=841

* The Melges 32 is the big skiff for the keelboat crowd, with the class providing racing for the pro- and semi-pro sailors. And like most elite racing, they tend to schedule their events in good places. Like South Florida. In the winter. With sunscreen. Big breeze met with the 18 boat fleet, and photographer John Payne was there to capture it all. Enjoy: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/11/1205/ (copy and paste the link into your browser to view a photo gallery)