Michigan Melges 24 Fleet: Racers Triumph at Mackinac Races

(Photo credit: Meredith Block/Blocksail.com)

Melges 24 helmsman Bora Gulari ( Flyer 02) and crew Mike Firestone race to Mackinac Island last month aboard the N/M 46 Natalie J.  NJ went on to finish first in her class for both Mackinac races.

The region's premiere distance races, Chicago Yacht Club's Race to Mackinac and BYC's Bayview Mackinac Race , showcased the light-air talent and experience of Michigan 's Melges 24 fleet, the fastest growing in the country. Sailors aboard many of the winning Mackinac yachts were Melges 24 competitors, and they brought a clear advantage to their teams as they took a break from preparing for the upcoming 2007 Melges 24 U.S. National Championship.

Flyer Crew Wins Back to Back
Bora Gulari helms USA-660 Flyer to consistent top finishes in Melges 24 events, and his tactical skills helped Phil O'Neil's Nelson/Marek 46 Natalie J win her class for both of these tough distance races, along with Flyer regular Mike Firestone. “When you can't go fast, you just have to minimize the distance sailed, and when VMG is important you've got to work those angles. We did just that,” said Gulari of the slow Chicago race.

Port Huron Race Dominated By Melges Sailors
The Bayview-Mackinac saw fluky winds and massive holes on Lake Huron, and nobody played the weather better than the BYC-based J/120 Carinthia . Fred Rozelle, owner of USA 510 Rustler, navigated the big J/boat through the tough conditions to a startling result, beating much larger yachts boat-for-boat and arriving at Mackinac Island in front of most of the multihull fleet.

More Notable Finishes For Midwestern Melges 24 Sailors

Bayview Mackinac Race:

• Rob Bunn, Co-owner, USA-202: First place, IRC E, Wind Toy IV
• Karl Trost, Crew, USA-615: First place, IRC C, Pendragon
• Tim Prophit, Tactician, USA-570: Second, IRC B, Bounder
• Peter Wenzler, Owner, USA-12: Second, IRC B, Bounder
• Todd Jones, Tactician, USA-615: Third, IRC B, Burden IV
• Tyler Black, Crew, USA-12: Third, IRC B, Burden IV

Chicago to Mackinac Race

• Brian Torreson, Owner, USA-217: First, GL-70, Nitemare
• Bill “Popeye” Henderson , Co-owner, USA-202: First, Beneteau 36.7: Grizzly

About Barefoot Cellars Wines
For over 20 years, Sonoma-based Barefoot Cellars Wines have received huge critical and popular success. Barefoot is a proud Sponsor/Partner of the 2007 Melges 24 U.S. National Championship, and their multiple Gold-Medal winning wines will be available throughout the event. More information on Barefoot Cellars Wines is available at www.barefootwine.com .

About Latis Yachting Solutions
Sponsor/Partner Latis Yachting Solutions will be on-hand to help with all boat transportation needs. Latis is the primary boat logistics partner for Melges Performance Sailboats, Pegasus Racing, and a host of other teams – and their reputation for “making it happen” is well-earned. If you need your boat moved, they will do so on-schedule, allowing you to concentrate on driving your boat instead of your truck. Contact Latis with your transportation questions at info@latisyachting.com or (8 66) 840-9204 .

About The 2007 Melges 24 U.S. National Championship
The 2007 Melges 24 U.S. National Championship is hosted by Bayview Yacht Club, with the support of Sponsor/Partners Barefoot Wines, Yachtscoring.com and Latis Yachting Solutions.

All race information, including on-line registration, is now available at www.melges24racing.com/nationals . The Midwest Region's home page is www.melges24racing.com .

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EVENT PRESS OFFICER
Alan Block
(248) 563-0657 - mobile
(248) 808-4086 - office
sennali@hotmail.com

USMCA PRESS OFFICER
Joy Dunigan
(912) 398-5776 - mobile
joy.dunigan@melges24.com