Bliksem and Argo Continue Southern Circuit

March 4-7, 2010

Miami, FL

The LYC Melges 32 teams continued their road trip competing in the Miami Grand Prix in Miami, FL March 4-7.  Defending regatta and world champion Pieter Taselaar was unable to hold onto the title but sailed a very solid regatta in his brand new boat, finishing fourth overall.  Jason Carroll and team Argo had a tougher time and finished 13th in the 23 boat fleet.  The event was won by Jean-Francois Cruette (La Rochelle, FRA) sailing Teasing Machine. 

 

   Argo hangs on downwind in Miami.  Photo by John Payne

 

Record cold temperatures and extremely shifty conditions prevailed for the event, which was sailed in the ocean off the Miami city front.  As the 32 class rapidly expands the level of sailing and preparation continue to rise almost vertically - Cruette and his team spent almost a week in Miami training for the event. 

Taselaar quickly worked the kinks out of his new boat and was in the familiar pole position after the second day of the event.  The polished Teasing Machine team was able to regain the top spot after winning two of the three races on day three of the event.  Still, the points were very tight for the final two races, with any one of five teams still in contention.  At the end of the day Taselaar had to settle for fourth after strong rallies from the Full Throttle and Star teams.  Only 3 points separated second through fifth, highlighting the tight racing in the Melges 32 class.

Taselaar also competed in Europe earlier this winter, where he and team Bliksem contested the Primo Cup in Monaco, finishing second overall in a tricky event against top Melges 32 programs.

Argo and Bliksem will continue to campaign this summer with Taselaar sailing his European boat in the Audi Sailing Series in Italy while Carroll will sail in the Northeast and Midwest before both teams contest the Melges 32 World Championships in San Francisco this fall.  Results.