Lane and Gulari Locked In Gold Cup Combat

Just two points separate 2011 and 2010 Charleston Champions going into final day of racing.

The battle between Kristin Lane’s Tiburon, CA based Brickhouse and 2011 National Champion Bora Gulari on New England Ropes heated up today, with Lane stealing Friday’s slim lead from Gulari after four races in 6-10 knots of Charleston Harbor breeze. It's a role reversal of last year's Charleston Race Week performance, when Gulari took a lead into the final day of racing only to see Lane sail to victory in the final race.

"It was lighter and shiftier than most days in Charleston and we lost a few points to Kristen, but we're definitely looking forward to more breeze tomorrow," said Gulari. "My crew really wants to win this Gold Cup, and just as importantly, we want to win back bragging rights at one of the biggest Melges events of the year."

Alan Field’s WTF sits 10 points back from Gulari after 8 races, while Chicago's Don Wilson onConvexity sits a further 12 behind Field and just 4 points ahead of Argyle Campbell on Rock & Roll. Tight battles continue throughout the fleet for nearly every position.

In the Corinthian division, Bayview Yacht Club (Detroit, MI) racer Paul Hulsey sits on top of an 18-boat strong amateur-only fleet, with Ed Massey’s Sweet As Bro trailing after a weaker showing than their spectacular first day.  Rob Britts Hot Mess trails Massey and Hulsey by a small margin.

Full Results 
Corinthian Teams 
Photos 
Event Site

RESULTS AFTER 8 RACES:
1. Brickhouse 812, Kristen Lane , USA - 13, 1, 1, 7, 4, 5, 1, 3, [13] ; 22
2. West Marine Rigging/New England Ropes, Bora Gulari , USA - 7, 2, 6, 1, 5, 1, 3, 6, [7] ; 24
3. WTF, Alan Field , USA - 1, 15, 2, 5, 1, 3, 16, 7, [16] ; 34
4. Convexity, Don Wilson , USA - 10, 4, 11, 33, 2, 11, 6, 2, [33] ; 46
5. Rock N Roll, Argyle Campbell , USA - 9, 13, 3, 4, 14, 2, 11, 8, [14] ; 50
6. Battle Rhythm, Guy Mossman , USA - 11, 5, 12, 3, 11, 14, 25, 1, [25] ; 57
7. High Voltage, August Hernandez , USA - 8, 16, 9, 10, 13, 10, 8, 4, [16] ; 62
8. Black Seal, Richard Thompson , Guernsey - 6, 9, 17, 8, 6, 17, 4, 15, [17] ; 65
9. Hoodlum Racing, Paul Hulsey , USA - 14, 6, 13, 17, 9, 6, 7, 10, [17] ; 65
10. Monsoon, Bruce Ayres , USA - 18, 3, 8, 2, 12, 18, 15, 9, [18] ; 67

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The Melges 24 is designed by Reichel Pugh and considered the most unique one design sportboat in the world as well as one of the all-time greatest and fastest-growing classes of high performance yachts. For more information visit the U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA) and theInternational Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA) on the web. Friend the USMCA on Facebook, or Follow On Twitter.

For more information or press photos, please contact:
Joy Dunigan
U.S. Melges 24 Class Association
Class Communications Director
+1 (912) 398-5776