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The Joy of Racing Reimagined

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History in the Making for Melges IC37 Class

Members Descend on the Waters of Newport, R.I. to Crown Their First-Ever National Champion

NEWPORT, R.I. (September 27, 2019) — On Friday, Sept. 27th, 20 teams will set up on the starting line to begin their conquest of the inaugural Melges IC37 National Championship title. This milestone event, hosted by the New York Yacht Club, will test competitors through eight scheduled races, across three days, in the very same waters they have sailed in all summer long. After over a month since their last event together, Melges IC37 sailors swarmed the New York Yacht Club, keen to complete registration, brush up on their boat handling and teamwork during the practice session, and reassemble to catch up with friends.

Scheduled neatly in the middle of the Class’s 2019 regatta calendar, the Melges IC37 National Championship is the culmination of the first summer season which was packed full of racing at the New York Yacht Club in Newport, R.I. With each morning on the dock, practice session, race, and social event, these sailors have had their eyes set on this premier event and making their mark on the Class as the first-ever Melges IC37 National Champion.

Daily media coverage will be published on the Melges IC37 Class Association website and Facebook page, as well as live action direct from the race course and social events on Instagram.

 

As racing kicks off this afternoon, get familiar with the members of the Melges IC37 Class!

Storylines:

▸ A family affair – The Melges IC37 Class concept was designed for crews of family, friends, and sailors of all ages and genders. The 2019 Melges IC37 National Championship fleet embodies just that. The inaugural edition of this prestigious event features an impressive 14 teams comprised of family members.

▸ Social Buzz – There is more than one way to leave a lasting impression on the history of this class and for this fleet, a commanding social presence is high on that list. Members from Das Blau Max, Double Jointed, Blazer, RUSH, and Vigilant have set the bar, never missing an opportunity to spend quality time with fellow competitors on the docks, between races, and under the regatta tent at the end of the day. In a boat and a class designed to deliver a racing experience unlike any other, these sailors have helped shape the culture of the class.

▸ Competitive, corinthian competition – A few teams standout for their performance in the five-event summer schedule, and we are sure to see them near the top of the leaderboard this weekend. Das Blau Max helmed by Cory Sertl, Qubit helmed by Chris Lewis, RUSH helmed by Thomas Stark and Ben Wagner, Blazer helmed by Christopher Culver, Double Jointed helmed by co-helmsman Ray Wulff and Andy Fisher, and the Members Only contingent led by Jay Cross, Ben Kinney, Hanna Swett have finished on or near the podium in each event. Other teams that made an appearance include Yonder, Midnight Blue, and Apparition 37 helmed by Doug Newhouse, Alexis Michas, and Ken Colburn respectively.

▸ Fresh faces in the Melges IC37 fleet stir the dynamic – Two Melges IC37 teams will make their debut on the racecourse this weekend: Jerome lead by Fred and Ward Detwiler and the Ticket contingent led by Will Whitmore, David Greenhouse, and Andy Giglia. Also, Fortissimo 2 helmsman Richard Nugent and Gamecock helmsman by Peter McClennen, along with their crews, will hit the water for the second time. Despite being new to the fleet, these teams were right in the mix during the practice races proving that in this level playing field – it’s preparation, teamwork, and the skills of the sailors that will ultimately lead to success. Onshore, these new crews will join their fellow Class members for the evening social events, and each will add a touch of charm to the growing community culture. For the ten teams returning to Newport, R.I for the Melges IC37 National Championship after competing in all five of the summer’s scheduled regattas, having new members on the line and under the regatta tent this weekend makes this event extra special.

Follow along for another dose of the Melges IC37 experience and to see who will reign supreme on the race course and social events.

For more event information, visit https://nyyc.org/2019-melges-ic37-national-championship.

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