Sporty Start to Melges 15 Midwinter Championship

SARASOTA, FLORIDA (March 26, 2021): The Melges 15 Midwinter Championship kicked off with champagne conditions in Sarasota, FL. Thirty teams were greeted with a balmy 16-22 knots blowing through the bay for three races.

Dwight Greenfield and Max Lopez led the day with a picket fence in the sporty conditions. The duo had also raced in the February event where they finished fourth by a slim margin behind Finn Burdick. “We’ve made leaps and bounds in improvement from the first event,” said Lopez. “The downwinds, though, are our best moments when we’re able to hop on plane and gybe smoothly.” 

Kevin Alcock was an early onboarder of the M15 who has raced in all three events hosted by the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. “We’re out here having fun,” said Alcock, who’s racing with his eldest daughter Jennifer. “The fleet is very well-rounded; we’ve got everyone from superstars to people like us who are here to have fun and enjoy ourselves.”  

“Racing with my dad is the biggest honor I could have,” added Jennifer. “Whether we’re in first or last place, it’s just a blast to be out there and spend time with him.”

Chris Fretz has been with the Melges 15 Class from the beginning racing in Beach Haven, NJ – home of Fleet 1. “What’s exciting about this class is there aren’t any favorites,” said Fretz. “People can come in and build upon what they know from other fleets for better results because they’re not up against the same competition they’ve always had.”

Racing is scheduled to continue on Saturday, March 27 at 1000 EST on the Sarasota Bay. Coverage will continue on the Melges Facebook and Instagram with daily galleries and recaps posted to melges15.com.