California’s John Kilroy is a good example of where sailing is going in the USA, even for the guys that can afford to play on any level. From Maxis in the 90s and TP52s in the 2000s, Kilroy moved into the Melges 32 (and won the 33-boat Worlds last year), and last year, joined the Melges 20 Class. Like pretty much everyone who gets a taste, Kilroy has become a freak for one-design, and the smaller the boat, the bigger the victory for each player.
As the top of the M20 Class gets rolling on schedule to peak at the Class’s first-ever Worlds in December in the Florida Keys, Kilroy, along with tactician Jeremy “Troll” Wilmot and trimmer Jeff Reynolds, came from an overnight fourth-place to snake a come-from-behind victory from a deep field, winning the 2013 US National Championship in Macatawa Bay, MI. It was the first time in the four year-history of the Class that a Michigander didn’t win the US Nationals; Eric Wynsma (Superfly) in 2009 and Class standout Michael Kiss (Bacio) every year since, who both sail out of the gorgeous spot on the picturesque Eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Kilroy also grabbed the ‘Masters’ trophy for best over-60 skipper, Toronto badass Brian Hill took the Corinthian title, while 21-year old Morgan Kiss sailed daddy’s old boat to a 13th place and top female skipper and under-25 skipper.
Petey Crawford will be dropping a sexy highlight reel late tonight for your viewing pleasure; in the meantime, check out more Meredith Block photos like the one above at the Facebook Page or the Event site. All the racing action – well, most anyway – was reported in old-school OTWA style by our own Mr. Clean on the Class FB page as well, and the next few months should feature plenty of action there for the hottest amateur owner/driver 20 footer on the market – so stay tuned.
