NEXT EVENT

Farr 40 European Championship - European Circuit 2
Porto Rotondo (30 September 2010 - 03 October 2010)

Miami Grand Prix

Competitors in the 2010 Miami Grand Prix will sleep well following another action-packed day on the waters off South Beach. Crew members aboard the leading boats in Farr 40 and Melges 32 will surely need a good night’s rest as overall victory is still undecided in these two one-design classes.

There was a new leader in both Farr 40 and Melges 32 for the third straight day as Saturday’s three races took place under superb conditions: sunny skies and strong winds. Skipper William Douglass and his crew on Goombay Smash posted three good results and took a narrow one-point lead in Farr 40 while Jean-Francois Cruette and the Teasing Machine team reclaimed first place in Melges 32 by just four points.

British America’s Cup veteran Ian Walker is calling tactics on Goombay Smash, which won Race 6 then tacked on consecutive third place results to make an impressive rise to the top of the Farr 40 standings with 30 points. Flash Gordon, owned by Helmut Jahn of Chicago, sailed well for the second straight day and stayed in contention on the strength of a bullet in Race 7.

The Italian entry Nerone (Massimo Mezzaroma), which led after the opening day, is just five points behind the leader. Barking Mad (Jim Richardson, Newport, R.I.) and Fiamma (Alessandro Barnaba, Italy) are tied for fourth with 37 points apiece.

“This regatta is still very much up for grabs,” said Bill Hardesty, tactician on Flash Gordon. “The points are really close and we can’t really focus on Goombay because we have Nerone right on our tail.”

Nerone and Barking Mad are engaged in a tight duel for the Florida Grand Prix title, which is awarded based on the combined results from Premiere Racing’s two winter regattas. Both boats have compiled 78 points after a total of 18 races at Key West 2010 and Miami Grand Prix.

Principal race officer Dave Brennan plans to hold two races on Sunday to complete the 10-race series. Hardesty feels it’s important to put up a good result in Race 9. “That first race tomorrow is critically important because it will determine each team’s strategy for the final race. Hopefully, we can get a good start, hit the first shift and be able to sail our own race.”

Class leaders after eight races  - March 6, 2010

Farr 40 (10 Boats)

1. Goombay Smash, William Douglass, Newport, RI, USA, 6-3-4-1-9-1-3-3=30

2. Flash Gordon, Helmut Jahn, Chicago, IL, USA, 4-1-9-2-4-4-1-6=31

3. Nerone, Massimo Mezzaroma, Punta Ala, ITA, 1-6-1-7-10-2-7-1=35


Miami - 07 March 2010 10:10