A record Worlds fleet of 33 Melges 32s squared off in picture-perfect conditions today, with Newport showing why it is quite possibly the best place in America for a major regatta. 20 knots and big, short seas meant plenty of action, though besides the Flat Stanley/SLED altercation that ended in a broken carbon dick, there was surprisingly little carnage. Then again, with pretty much every big swinging dick in the sport (including Read, Horton, Hardesty, Appleton, Enright, McKee x 2…ah, screw it, there are too many) on the course, we shouldn’t be surprised at just how high the level as at this one.
We’re happy to report that our Midwest pal and one of the best trimmers in the game – George Peet – helped helm Benjamin Schwartz to the top of the leaderboard after two races (with one blown off for too much breeze) aboard Pisces, with last year’s winner Dougie Douglass nipping at their heels and Andre Pozzi a couple back on Bombarda. We can’t even guess who’s gonna take this one – there might be 15 boats on the line that can make the podium, and the guy without the double digit finishes is going to look pretty damned good.
The M32 Facebook page is a good place to go for real-time updates for the rest of the week, though the Class Blog might work too. Great photo work from Joy Dunigan, with a full gallery here.
