Shakin' and Bakin' in Alabama at Melges 24 Nationals

(Fairhope, Ala. USA - May 25, 2019) - An initial on-shore postponement kicked-off the second day of racing at the 2019 Melges 24 U.S. National Championship hosted by the Fairhope Yacht Club in Fairhope, Alabama. The intense heat produced more light air, keeping K.C. Shannon and tactician Jackson Benvenutti on Shaka in the lead for a second consecutive day.

Right on his heels are two very tough competitors. Tied with equal points in second and third respectively, are Michael Goldfarb on Warcanoe and Bruce Ayres’ Monsoon. Goldfarb with the advantage.

Once again it was a hot day with light air conditions, but Clermont, Florida’s Alex Shafer at the helm of Vixen had it figured out for today’s one and only race. “We blinded the competition with our ultra-bright rock star shirts,” said Marty Kullman, Vixen tactician very jokingly. “It was super light. We did not have a great start, but we managed to stay clear, and get ahead.”

“It was a good day,” said Alex Shaffer. “It was tough racing for everyone. It was key that we got clear and had good boat speed.”

Steve Suddath’s 3 ½ Men continues to lead the all-amateur division, significantly ahead of second Corinthian Lee Eikel’s Last Call and Megan Ratliff’s Decorum in third.

Sunday is scheduled to be the final day of competition, and teams are hoping to get in at least one more race. With a sixth race completed, discards go into effect and that could change many things - especially, as to who will be the next Melges 24 National Champion.

TOP TEN OPEN RESULTS (PRELIMINARY - After Five Races)
1.) USA - KC Shannon, Shaka; 2-7-4-3-6 = 22
2.) USA - Michael Goldfarb, Warcanoe; 1-17-1-5-2 = 26
3.) USA - Bruce Ayres, Monsoon; 8-5-3-7-3 = 26
4.) CAN - Richard Reid, Zingara; 10-8-2-11-4 = 35
5.) USA - Travis Weisleder, Lucky Dog/ Gill Race Team; 6-2-6-20-7 = 34
6.) USA - Kevin Welch/ Jeff Madrigalli, MiKEY; 16-12-5-2 = 35
7.) USA - Brian Porter, Full Throttle; 21-4-14-1- 5 = 45
8.) USA - Steve Suddath (C), 3 ½ Men; 9-9-9-12-9 = 48
9.) USA - Alex Shafer, VIXEN; 28-3-7-16-1 = 55
10.) USA - Wes Whitmyer Jr., Slingshot; 11-10-20-8-17 = 66
View Full Results

TOP FIVE CORINTHIAN RESULTS (PRELIMINARY - After Five Races)
1.) USA - Steve Suddath, 3 ½ Men; 48 pts.
2.) USA - Lee Eikel/Max Albert, Last Call; 74 pts.
3.) USA - Megan Ratliff/Hunter Ratliff, Decorum; 84 pts.
4.) USA - Glen Tonguis/Chris Wientjes, Kryptonite; 90 pts.
5.) USA - Ryan Glaze, Gringo; 91 pts.

TOP TEN NATIONAL RANKING RESULTS (PRELIMINARY - After Two Events, Five Races)
1.) USA - Bruce Ayres, Monsoon; 90 pts.
2.) USA - Travis Weisleder, Lucky Dog/Gill Race Team; 88 pts.
3.) USA - KC Shannon, Shaka; 85 pts.
4.) USA - Brian Porter, Full Throttle; 85 pts.
5.) USA - Kevin Welch, MiKEY; 84 pts.
6.) USA - John Brown, Blind Squirrel; 72 pts.
7.) USA - Wes Whitmyer, Slingshot; 71 pts.
8.) USA - Megan Ratliff (C), Decorum; 61 pts.
9.) USA - Laura Grondin, Dark Energy; 57 pts.
10.) USA - Steve Suddath, 3 ½ Men; 55 pts.
U.S. National Championship Website
YachtScoring Event Website

View Photo Gallery - Melges Performance Sailboats/Hannah Lee Noll

2019 U.S. National Ranking Series Results (After Two Events)