Melges 24s & Audi Melges 20s Race Biscayne Bay At 2011 Miami Winter Regatta

Miami, Fla. - (2011 Feb. 11) - Thirty-seven Melges one design teams have assembled in Miami, ready to compete at the 2011 Miami Winter Regatta, hosted by the one and only Coconut Grove Sailing Club (CGSC). For the second consecutive year, both fleets have returned to Miami to race and needless to say, the numbers have grown significantly.

For both fleets, this is more than just any old weekend regatta. First, teams are thoroughly enjoying Miami's quaint Coconut Grove district that has a charm all its own. Great night life, nice affordable dining and for the ladies and families, great shopping as well. Second, it's warm - a welcomed change of pace for many who have been buried under several feet of snow during the last couple of months. Lastly, plenty of their closest racing friends are on hand and ready to have a blast sailing Melges one design.

In the relatively young and progressive Audi Melges 20 Class, this event represents the second stage of the 2011 Miami Winter Series. Beyond this event, there's one more to go, Bacardi's Miami Sailing Week on March 10-12. The Melges 24 Road To Corpus Series marches onward after a fantastic performance in Key West. Flavio Favini helming Franco Rossini's Blu Moon took division honors and the prestigious Boat of the Week trophy. Sixteen Melges 24s are ready to play hard on Biscayne Bay as they work their way toward the 2011 Melges 24 World Championship in Corpus Christi, Tx. on May 11-21.

Michael Kiss' Bacio leads the chase for the 2011 Miami Winter Series. California's Sid Gorham on Funner returns seated second overall. The Michigan contingent strengthens with Steve Sisson at the helm of Tony Tabb's Elevation Racing in third. The racing will be intense this weekend as easily any of these teams can hold on to position or excel.

Melges 24 series leader is Favini, followed by reigning World Champion Lorenzo Bressani aboard Lorenzo Santini's Uka Uka Racing. The only contenders present this weekend are International Class Chairman Riccardo Simoneschi aboard Audi, seated fourth overall in the RTC ranking. Brian Porter's Full Throttle is also in attendance this weekend positioned in seventh. Most likely, with strong

Full race reports, interviews and photo galleries will be posted online each day after racing. Stay tuned to the official class web sites for the Audi Melges 20 and Melges 24 as well as Melges.com for all the latest details. You can also friend the Audi Melges 20 and U.S. Melges 24 on Facebook. Updates from the course will be posted every day.

TOP FIVE SERIES RESULTS
AUDI MELGES 20 (After 1 Miami Winter Series Event)
1.) Michael Kiss, Bacio
2.) Sid Gorham, Funner
3.) Steve Sisson/Anthony Tabb, Elevation Racing
4.) Marc Hollerbach, Fu
5.) Russell Lucas, Shimmer

MELGES 24 (After 1 Road To Corpus Series Event)
1.) Flavio Favini/Franco Rossini, Blu Moon
2.) Lorenzo Bressani/Lorenzo Santini, Uka Uka Racing
3.) Lars Horn Johannessen, Full Metal Jacket
4.) Alec Cutler, Hedgehog
5.) Riccardo Simoneschi, Audi

Visit the 2011 Miami Winter Regatta Official Event Website for full entry lists and results.

MIAMI HEAT - 2011 AUDI MELGES 20 WINTER SERIES

With Event No. 1 complete and No. 2 in progress, the chase is on for the 2011 Miami Winter Series Championship title. Event No. 3, will be held in conjunction with the famous Bacardi's Miami Sailing Week on March 10-12, 2011. Save the dates and be there!

The Audi Melges 20 is red-hot in Europe. A ton of boats have been sold as the International fleet looks to usher in another great year of racing on the Audi Melges 20 Sailing Series circuit. Four fantastic events will take place throughout the spring, summer and fall months, culminating at the first European Championship on September 29-October 2. View The Entire 2011 European Schedule

MELGES 24 ROAD TO CORPUS PAVED WITH GREAT RACING
The U.S. Melges 24 Class is celebrating a terrific winter of sportboat racing. The famed Road To Corpus Series kicked off in Key West, and is now the fleet is front and center in Miami for the Melges Miami Winter Regatta (RTC Event No. 2) and the forthcoming Bacardi Miami Sailing Week (RTC Event No. 3). Record breaking attendance has been forecasted. The fleet migrates north to the lovely city of Charleston, S.C. for Charleston Race Week (RTC Event No. 4) in mid-April — then a grand finale in Corpus Christi, Texas for the 2011 Melges 24 World Championship (RTC Event No. 5). Save the dates for the 2011 U.S. National Championship in Lake Geneva, Wisc. on September 29-October 2.

###

For media photos (web and/or high resolution) or class specific information about the 2011 Melges Miami Winter Regatta please contact:

Joy Dunigan
International Audi Melges 20 Class Administrator, Press Coordinator
U.S. Melges 24 Class Administrator, Press Coordinator
Mobile: +1 (912) 398-5776
Skype: joysavannah