International Melges 32 Class Blog

Lighter conditions are in the forecast for the second day of racing in Palma at the Melges 32 World Championship. At the time of this post, the AP flag is still in position on the pole, although teams have started to head out to the course anyway. Lounging by the pool in the very warm Spanish sunshine apparently was too low key, so several team are making their way out to the course…

With the commencement of the 2011 Melges 32 World Championship in Palma, links to photos and interviews are coming in from all directions. A very special thanks to Mauro Melandri and his Zerogradinord Video Team for interviews, and to Max Ranchi and Nico Martinez for some lovely shots of Day 1.

Photo Gallery:
Nico Martinez, Official Photographer for Real Club Nautico de Palma
Max Ranchi, Professional Photographer
Joy Dunigan, Official Photographer for 2011 Melges 32 Worlds & IM32CA

Unfortunately the internet connection on the water is just not capable of uploads from the course, while the fleet is racing. So, we’ll keep trying but the likelihood of being able to bring coverage from on the water is going to be slim to none. Sorry…

Recap — Yasha Samurai won race 1, Mascalzone Latino second, Argo third, Warpath fourth and Samba Pa Ti finished fifth. Race two: Samba knocked it out of the park with a grand slam lead to take the second race with a substantial lead. Full story and press release will publish online at melges32.com later.

After Monday’s lay day, the docks are buzzing with anticipation of the start of Day 1 in Palma at the 2011 Melges 32 Worlds. Postponement is up on land at the moment, however should be coming down soon. Light air is in the forecast. According to Argo coach Dave Ullman, should be light to medium but still great racing conditions.

The IM32CA Press Team will be out on the water, and will attempt to bring you all the action from the water via this blog. Do know we appreciate everyone’s patience as the connection does appear to be very slow on the course. We will do our best…

For now, check out the following links for news, results and photos:
Official Event Website (Results)
Official Website of the International Melges 32 Class Association (IM32CA)
Photo Gallery – JOY | IM32CA
Photo Gallery – RCNP | Nick Martinez

© 2011 JOY | IM32CA

Greetings to everyone from beautiful Palma de Mallorca where 29 Melges 32 teams have assembled to race at the 2011 World Championship. The Melges 32 is clearly the superstar of Palma this week. Yesterday (Saturday) and today (Sunday) are filled with preparations for the big event, sail measurement, weigh-in, ISAF interviews and lots of practice on the water. The overall setting is one of yachting’s best examples of elegance as teams leisurely lounge about on the docks and enjoy the warm and humid Palma conditions. All the Melges 32 boats border the popular swimming pool area. Just their presence adds to existing grace and beauty of an already exquisite venue.

Stay close as registration, measurement and check-in wraps up tomorrow (Monday). Championship racing commences on Tuesday, September 20 and ends on Saturday, September 24. The IM32CA Press Team is partially onsite and will be doing their very best to bring everyone back home the latest and greatest news from Palma. We anticipate news, lots of photos and plenty of on-the-water action so stay glued to this blog, as well as melges32.com. All publishings on the Melges 32 Blog and Website auto-populate to the class’ Facebook and Twitter pages, so no matter which way you choose to connect, you should be able to adequately stay on top of what is happening in Palma.

For now, enjoy a nice selection of First Day Of Practice Racing.
Please be sure to bookmark the Official Event Website for the 2011 Melges 32 World Championship.

REMINDER : All Melges 32s are reminded that any remaining sail buttons allocated to your team for 2010 MUST be purchased by December 31, 2010. http://melges32.com/?p=news&id=704

The high-level sportboat racing product, service and sales distributor Melges Europe is offering two exclusive speed clinic weekend opportunities to Audi Melges 20 and Melges 32 owners. This is your chance to try on some hot performance as the 2011 season will be here before you know it. In the exquisite location of Malcesine, Italy on October 16-17, then again on November 6-7, Melges Europe invites everyone to save the dates. Be there to absorb the talents and experience of Italian Sailing Team 470 Coach Guglielmo Vatteroni and Melges Europe President, Federico Michetti. Both experiences will be invaluable to teams ramping up their programs for 2011 Audi Sailing Series competition!

Schedule of the Events

Saturday

Sunday

For further information, contact Melges Europe General Manager Luisa Bambozzi on e-mail or phone +39 02 94435078.

Melges 32 Class Rule : There has been some short discussion amongst Melges 32 owners regarding IM32CA Rule C.2.2, Item No. 7.

C.2.2
7. The spinnaker may be stowed in a bag or chute in the  companionway hatch or the forward hatch, the design of this bag and its associated retraction lines are optional.  Refer to C.2.2.14

Intent and Clarification: The intent of this rule was to allow experimentation with chute launching systems to develop the easiest method of spinnaker handling on the Melges 32. Retraction lines, shockcord and pulleys of optional design may be added below deck. Lines may not be lead through the deck, only the open companionway or hatch. Hard fairings or rollers may be added below deck to facilitate the spinnaker moving through the hatch or past the mast. The chute or sock shall be of soft material and may be of any size and design.

The Melges 32 Spring and Summer racing schedule is in fast forward motion as the second edition of the 2010 Audi Sailing Series in Scarlino just concluded revealing reigning World Champion Pieter Taselaar on Bliksem as champion. In just a short week-and-a-half, more exciting racing awaits the international fleet. The very first Melges 32 European Championship takes place in Cagliari, Italy with 19 entries scheduled to appear and simultaneously, the East Coast Championship rocks Rye, N.Y. hosted by the American Yacht Club (also the location of the 2011 U.S. National Championship) with 13, double the participation level in 2009.

Shortly thereafter, we&rsquoll look to the warm month of June to Porto Cervo, Italy for the third Audi Sailing Series Event and Invitational, and Newport, R.I. for the Northeast Regatta happening simultaneously (25-27) on both sides of the Atlantic. The month of July is red hot. The final act of the 2010 European Audi Sailing Series Event No. 4 takes place in Malcesine, Italy on beautiful Lake Garda on July 16-18. Completing the month perfectly, in exquisite Harbor Springs, Mich. USA the U.S. National Championship gets under way on July 29-August 1, where as many as 20 teams will take to the line. Every team that will be at Nationals anticipates heavy duty competition in San Francisco, Calif. at the 2010 World Championship on September 22-25, hosted by the St. Francis Yacht Club.

Because many of these events are concurrent, the below checklists and gentle reminders have been assembled for your convenience. Please read through each very carefully so that you and your team can plan accordingly. Best of luck and fast racing to all the teams. The IM32CA is excited about seeing each and every team on the line!

READ FULL ARTICLE >>>

The Notice of Race and Entry Form for the 2010 Melges 32 European Championship taking place on May 13-16, in Cagliari, Italy is now available. Be sure to submit your entry right away as the deadline for submissions is next Friday, May 7. Crew Declarations are due for this major intercontinental event on Thursday, April 29.

Special thanks to all teams that have submitted their Crew Declarations. Your timeliness is much appreciated. For those of you who still need to submit, COMPLETE AN ONLINE CREW DECLARATION now.

DOWNLOAD AN NOR (NOTICE OF RACE)
ENTRY FORM
VIEW CREW LIST