Melges 24 World Championship 2024: A Premier Event at San Francisco Yacht Club
Diversified Melges 24 World Championship 2024 at San Francisco Yacht Club – Day 2
17-24 August 2024
Day 2 of the 2024 Diversified Melges 24 World Championship brought an exciting shift on the leaderboard as Don Wilson’s Convexity achieved three straight victories, establishing a strong lead. The San Francisco Yacht Club hosted an eventful day with ideal conditions on San Francisco Bay.
The Race Committee, led by PRO Mark Foster, orchestrated three thrilling races that challenged even the most experienced competitors. Wind conditions fluctuated from 12-14 knots, gusting up to 24 knots, presenting a rigorous test for the sailors. The first two races commenced without issues, while the final race required a general recall due to shifting tides, prompting the use of the U flag.
Convexity’s dominance continued as they captured all three races, extending their win streak to four. Coach Michael Rehe credited their success to sustained boat speed, minimal errors, and a touch of luck. “The crew performed exceptionally well! Once again, San Francisco Bay delivered,” remarked Rehe, adding that they will remain competitive until the very end: “It’s never over until it’s truly over.”
Bora Gulari’s Kingspoke secured consistent top-three placements (2-3-2), remaining in second place just 4 points behind Convexity. Peter Karrie’s Nefeli finished in third overall after a competitive performance (7-6-5). Brian Porter’s Full Throttle, a ten-time Melges 24 US Champion and former World Champion, moved into fourth place after a strong finish in the second race of the day. Anthony Kotoun’s Stepping Razor held onto fifth place, while 2024 Melges 24 US National Champion Geoff Fargo’s Sentinel was in sixth, thanks to a third-place finish in Race 6.
Corinthian Division Highlights
In the Corinthian division, Ante Botica’s Mataran 24 took the lead after delivering impressive performances. Owner Ivo Matic reflected on the unique challenges of sailing in San Francisco Bay compared to their home waters in Croatia. With a 6-point lead over early leader Kent Pierce’s Average, the reigning Corinthian World Champions are showcasing their strength. Duane Yoslov’s Looper is also remaining competitive with consistent results.
With Convexity’s impressive performance and the intense competition in the Corinthian division, the upcoming days are poised for more thrilling action on the water.
After returning to shore, the sailors were welcomed back by the warm hospitality of The San Francisco Yacht Club, sharing stories of their challenges and victories. The Bay Area Charters team provided on-the-water commentary for title sponsor Diversified’s guests aboard a luxury Axopar37. Following the races, Diversified guests enthusiastically organized the “Beer Boat” operations, distributing daily refreshments supplied by Open Water and Trumer Pils for the trip back from Angel Island to the SFYC docks.
Special guests at the daily awards included David Liebenberg from the Paris 2024 US Sailing Team (Nacra 17) and the SFYC Junior Board led by Junior Commodore Morgan Frymier. Liebenberg shared behind-the-scenes insights from the regatta and his Olympic athlete journey. Team Convexity was celebrated for their remarkable three-race win streak, while Ocean Pearl CAN 015 received the daily OCS award and took home a Ronstan Clear Start sailing watch.
The schedule for Wednesday includes two races, with the first warning signal set for 11:25 AM.
Results after Day 2: (top ten, 5 races)
1. USA 868 – CONVEXITY – Don Wilson (3, 1, 1, 1, 1) – 7 points
2. USA 820 – KINGSPOKE – Bora Gulari (1, 3, 2, 3, 2) – 11 points
3. GER 859 – NEFELI – Peter Karrie (2, 2, 7, 6, 5) – 22 points
4. USA 849 – FULL THROTTLE – Brian Porter (4, 7, 3, 2, 14) – 30 points
5. USA 619 – STEPPING RAZOR – Anthony Kotoun (5, 5, 11, 13, 4) – 38 points
6. USA 856 – SENTINEL – Geoff Fargo (6, 13, 8, 10, 3) – 40 points
7. ITA 865 – BOMBARDA – Andrea Pozzi (7, 4, 12, 4, 13) – 40 points
8. USA 830 – STRAIGHTARROW – Chelsea Simms (13, 10, 5, 8, 7) – 43 points
9. USA 829 – RAZA MIXTA – Peter Duncan (14, 8, 6, 9, 6) – 43 points
10. USA 869 – FLYING JENNY – Sandra Askew (10, 14, 9, 11, 10) – 54 points
Corinthian Division Results after Day 2: (top three, 5 races)
1. (12) CRO 649 – MATARAN 24 – Ante Botica (20, 6, 18, 5, 12) – 61 points
2. (13) USA 549 – AVERAGE – Kent Pierce (9, 15, 13, 12, 18) – 67 points
3. (16) USA 855 – LOOPER – Duane Yoslov (12, 12, 19, 18, 16) – 77 points
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Alex Tanaka, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Singapore, has a deep passion for the sea that began in childhood. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the National University of Singapore, Alex has built a reputation for insightful and engaging storytelling. Their work captures the excitement of sailing and the intricate details of maritime life, making them a respected voice in the sailing community. When not writing, Alex enjoys exploring new waters and participating in local regattas, always seeking the next adventure on the horizon.