VIVA San Fran - Don Jesberg Wins The 50th Rolex Big Boat Series
San Francisco, Calif. - Nine Melges 24 teams took to the waters of San Francisco Bay last weekend to participate in the 50th Anniversary of the Rolex Big Boat Series. The fleet enjoyed three days of classic San Francisco racing conditions with top honors going to 2012 Melges 24 North American and 2013 Melges 24 World Champion (both in Corinthian division) Don Jesberg on Viva.
The bay was in form for the entire event pumping in what was a satisfying 15-18 knots of breeze — perfect planing conditions for the Melges 24!
A native of San Francisco, Jesberg is one of the longest-standing Melges 24 owners, and that clearly showed in his solid string of bullets which was awarded Boat of the Day on Day 1 for his performance.
"We first sailed the Melges 24 in 1994," said Jesberg, adding that the light-displacement sport boat, sailed with a crew of four, was first introduced in 1993. "They're fun to sail and very fast."
Jesberg has been racing in the Rolex Big Boat Series since 1972 on various boats. "It is a Fall ritual, and I hope that this year we can keep winning races."
VIVA USA855 - Don Jesberg
Photo: Rolex / Daniel Forster
The heated battle for second and third place ensued all weekend between Duane Yoslov on Nothing Ventured andInsolent Minx helmed by Zhenya Kirueshkin-Stepanoff. While Jesberg ran away with the overall win, Yoslov and Kirueshkin-Stepanoff fought hard, often swopping positions at the end of each day. But in the end, Yoslov got the final race win and the upper hand four points ahead of Kirueshkin-Stepanoff to take second.
Bob Harf's Bones and Pacific North West District Governor Manfred Schmiedl on Brio rounded out the top five.
FULL RESULTS (FINAL - After Seven Races)
1.) Don Jesberg, Viva; 1-1-1-1-1-1-10/DNS = 16
2.) Duane Yoslov, Nothing Ventured; 7-4-3-3-5-2-1 = 25
3.) Zhenya Kirueshkin-Stepanoff, Insolent Minx; 2-2-2-26-5-10/DNS = 29
4.) Robert Harf, Bones; 3-3-7-4-3-8-4 = 32
5.) Manfred Schmiedl, Brio; 6-10/RAF-6-5-4-3-3 = 37
View Full Results