Prof O'Connell, the spinnkaer trimmer on Ireland's Melges 24, reports from Day 2 of the US Nationals
When I was 15 I read about "The Wizard of Zenda" - aka Buddy Melges, who won a bonze medal is the Flying Dutchman class in 1964 and an Olympic gold medal in the 1972 Olympics in Kiel. Buddy was from a tiny town called Zenda in Wisconsin and honed his skills in the local club on Lake Geneva.
This years Melges 24 US Nationals Championships is being hosted by Lake Geneva Yacht Club (see pic), only five miles away from Zenda. Imagine how we felt when, after a good day on the water today, this 81 year old man walked straight up to us and congratulated us and introduced himself. "Hi guys, I'm Buddy Melges, great job today, well done".
So that finished off quite a good day!
Shona and Dave Wilmott with skipper Conor Clarke of Dun Laoghaire (centre)
On the water, it was a "snakes and ladders" three race light day after four medium air races yesterday. Conditions were much lighter and we had our fair share of "snakes" but hung on when things were looking grim and scored 3rd, 2nd and 3rd in the three races. Lake sailing often favours the corners and today was no different. If you "went up the middle", you were toast. Throw the textbook out and take your chances.
In an interview with Sailing Anarchy today, one of our competitors called our helm, Olympic gold medallist Nathan Wilmot the "Tiger Woods of Melges Sailing". Nathan, and most especially our bow girl Shona Wilmot (Nathan's wife in the picture!) is not too happy with the nickname. Nathan better show some of those Tiger-like qualities tomorrow because we are tied on points for first overall and we need to put this regatta away!
Results after seven races are on http://documents.clubexpress.com/documents.ashx?key=riB8hNmq7Wx3kB2Z%2bI4BkWBGJuBfAjcNyaxcUKiip7S6g7Bw3877mA%3d%3d
You can see that we are now tied on points with former Rolex US Sailor Of The Year Bora Gulari. His worst score is 7th, our is 6th. Hence whoever beats the other tomorrow wins the event, unless Bora finishes outside the top seven, in which case we win.
The "Melges Rocks" party is tonight in the local diner "Gordy's" - a local eatery - we may have to spike Bora's drinks tonight. Fingers crossed!
