Buddy Melges Challenge

Buddy Melges Challenge

August 22-27, 2011

Buddy Melges Challenge
This ISAF Grade 1 Women’s Match Race event is sure to attract the world’s best women sailors to Sheboygan, Wisconsin USA as all prepare for the 2012 London Olympic games.

Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) defeated Le Berre (FRA) Saturday in the final round of the Buddy Melges Challenge to claim overall victory for the event. Early race leaders, Nicky Souter, Jessica Eastwell and Katie Spithill (AUS) defeated Julie Bossard, Pauline Chalaux and Pauline Courtois (FRA) in the match for third place.

Sailing under beautiful sunny skies and steady 12 to 15 knot northerly breeze with a moderate Lake Michigan chop, Anna Tunnicliffe, Molly Vandemoer and Debbie Cappozi of Team Maclaren showed dominate form securing a 3 – 0 victory in the best of five finals match. The second French team defeated by Tunnicliffe in as many days, the finals challenging team of Anne-Claire Le Berre, Alice Ponsar, Myrtille Ponge (FRA) were unable to stop the American’s momentum.

In the first race of the finals, Tunnicliffe and Le Berre tacked their way up the first leg with Le Berre protecting the right. Tunnicliffe was able to cross and control Le Berre taking a boat-length lead by the windward mark. Le Berre managed to pass Tunnicliffe before the leeward mark, but drew a double penalty when she took unentitled room at the mark. Races 2 and 3 began in similar fashion with Tunnicliffe taking the lead by the windward mark and then keeping the lead for the remainder of each race.

The Buddy Melges Challenge was hosted by Sail Sheboygan and is one of just four ISAF Grade 1 women’s match racing events in the USA. The field consisted of 16 teams from eight countries and was sailed in nearly perfect conditions over the 5-day event. Contested using the new Olympic-designated Elliott 6m boats, most of the international field of competitors used the regatta as a springboard to potential Nation’s Cup and Olympic success. Sail Sheboygan will also host the upcoming Nations Cup finals – September 13 – 18, 2011

Having acquired an authorized two-thirds replica of the famed America’s Cup after the 2000 New Zealand event, Sail Sheboygan wanted to create an event worthy of such a unique award. With the successful 2007 ISAF effort to get women’s match racing into the 2012 Olympics, Sail Sheboygan determined an international women’s match racing event would be perfect. Because of his close connection with the organization, Olympic and America’s Cup Champion Buddy Melges permitted his name to be associated with the beautiful trophy.

Results

Team Maclaren winners of 2011 Buddy Melges Challenge

1st Place – Anna Tunnicliffe, Molly Vandemoer, Debbie Cappozi USA
2nd Place – Anne-Claire Le Berre, Alice Ponsar, Myrtille Ponge FRA
3rd Place – Nicky Souter, Jessica Eastwell, Katie Spithill AUS
4th Place – Julie Bossard, Pauline Chalaux, Pauline Courtois FRA

Semi-Finals Results [PDF 08-26-11]
Quarter-Finals Results [PDF 08-26-11]
Quarter-Final Pairing List [PDF 08-26-11]
Preliminary QF Results [PDF 08-26-11]
Day 3 Results [PDF 08-25-11]
Day 2 Results [PDF 08-24-11]
Day 1 Results [PDF 08-23-11]

Live Results: http://www.matchracingresults.com/2011/buddy-melges-challenge/
Live Race Tracking
Race Webcam

Photos

Day 5 – Saturday, Aug 27, 2011
Day 4 – Friday, Aug 26, 2011
Day 3 – Thursday, Aug 25, 2011
Day 2 – Wednesday, Aug 24, 2011

Matias Capizzano Photos: http://www.capizzano.com/BuddyMCh/index.html

Documents

Notice of Race
Sailing Instructions
Daily Plan
Round Robin Pairings
Daily Recaps

Friday, August 26
The Semi-Finals of the third annual Buddy Melges Challenge were sailed in excellent conditions on Lake Michigan. The American Team Maclaren’s Anna Tunnicliffe, Molly Vandemoer, and Debbie Capozzi took control early and went undefeated in their Semi-Final knockout series with the French team of Julie Bossard, Pauline Chalaux, and Pauline Courtois to advance to Saturday’s Final. In the other Semi-Final, France’s Anne-Claire Le Berre, Alice Ponsar, and Myrtille Ponge took an early lead of 2-0 over Australia’s Nicky Souter, Jessica Eastwell, and Katie Spithill. The Australians fought back and won the third match, but the French finished off the series with a win in the fourth to set up a meeting with Tunnicliffe in the Finals. Bossard and Souter will meet in the Petit-Finals.

Racing will begin at 1000 off the South Pier in front of the Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan. Come down and view the action from the shore.

Friday’s Racing:

Semi-Final 1: Le Berre (FRA) defeated Souter (AUS) 3-1
Semi-Final 2: Tunnicliffe (USA) defeated Bossard (FRA) 3-0
5-8 Knock-Out (A): Tulloch (USA) defeated Decnop (BRA) 1-0
5-8 Knock-Out (B): Price (AUS) defeated Wang (CHN) 1-0
5-6 Knock-Out: Tulloch (USA) defeated Price (AUS) 1-0
7-8 Knock-Out: Wang (CHN) defeated Decnop (BRA) 1-0
Preliminary Results (5-16):
Genny Tulloch (USA), Jennifer Chamberlin, Alice Leonard
Olivia Price (AUS), Nina Curtis, Lucinda Whitty
Ru Wang (CHN), Ni Xiao Wen, Li Xiao Ni
Renata Decnop (BRA), Fernanda Decnop, Tatiana Ribeiro
Stephanie Roble (USA), Maggie Shea, Darby Smith
Juliana Senfft (BRA), Gabriela Sa, Luciana Kopschitz
Becca Dellenbaugh (USA), Kaity Storck, Janel Zarkowsky
Sharon Ferris-Choat (CAN), Caroline Kaars Sijpesteijn, Joanne Prokop
Juliana Mota (BRA), Daniela Adler, Larissa Juk
Caroline Sylvan (SWE), Louise Kruuse af Verchou, Lina Hammel
Martina Silva (ARG), Trinidad Silva, Ana Lucia Silva
Jinnie Gordon (CAN), Crystle Numan, Laurel Gordon-Taylor
Thursday, August 25
Day three of the third annual Buddy Melges Challenge saw the completion of the Round Robin and the beginning of the Quarter-Final Knockout Stage. Nicky Souter and her Australian team remained undefeated through the round robin, but perhaps showed some vulnerability as she was over early in her first quarter-final match with Renata Decnop (BRA) and suffered her first loss of the regatta. She recovered and won the second match to tie the series 1-1. In the second quarter-final, Julie Bossard (FRA) leads Olivia Price (AUS) 2-0. The third quarter-final saw Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) go over early in her first match but she recovered and holds a 2-0 lead over Ru Wang (CHN). In the fourth quarter-final Genny Tulloch (USA) won the first match and Anne-Claire Le Berre (FRA) tied it up 1-1 with a win in the second.

The day began with 10-15 knots of Northwest breeze and sunshine. As the day progressed the wind clocked to the Northeast and the velocity dropped down to 4-6 by the end of the day.

The quarter-finals will conclude tomorrow and be followed by the semi-finals and 5-8 sail offs. The Finals and Petit Finals will be sailed on Saturday.

The public are invited to dine with some of the top women match racers from around the world and enjoy a great barbecue served at the Lakefront. 16 teams from 7 different countries will be attending this year’s Buddy Melges Challenge. Come meet the sailors visiting Sheboygan for the first time from France and Sweden and welcome back teams from Brazil, Australia, Canada, China and Argentina. USA will be well represented by 2008 Olympic winner, Anna Tunnicliffe; Disney Morning Light sailor, Genny Tulloch; Wisconsin native, Stephanie Roble and Connecticut newcomer, Becca Dellenbaugh. Tickets are $15.00. Proceeds benefit Sail Sheboygan, so please invite friends and family and join us for an evening of great food, great company and great fun.

Standings After Day Three, Round Robin:

Nicky Souter (AUS) 15 wins – 0 losses
Olivia Price (AUS) 13-2
Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) 13-2
Anne-Claire Le Berre (FRA) 11-4
Genny Tulloch (USA) 11-4
Ru Wang (CHN) 10-5
Julie Bossard (FRA) 8-7
Renata Decnop (BRA) 7-8
Stephanie Roble (USA) 6-9
Juliana Senfft (BRA) 6-9
Becca Dellenbaugh (USA) 5-10
Sharon Ferris-Choat (CAN) 4-11
Juliana Mota (BRA) 4-11
Caroline Sylvan (SWE) 4-11
Martina Silva (ARG) 3-12
Jinnie Gordon (CAN) 0-15
Wednesday, August 24
Nicky Souter and her Australian Women’s Match Racing Team teammates, Katie Spithill and Jessica Eastwell, remain undefeated through 22 flights with a perfect 11-0 scorecard. Their nearest rival, Anna Tunnicliffe and Team Mclaran teammates, Molly Vandemoer and Debbie Capozzi, have only one blemish on the record with a loss to the other Australians in the field, Olivia Price, Nina Curtis, and Lucinda Whitty who sit in fourth with a 9-2 record. Ahead of Whitty in third by a tie-break are Genny Tulloch (USA) and teammates Alice Leonard and Jenn Chamberlin.
The sailors arriving for day two of the third annual Buddy Melges Challenge were greeted by a very foggy Lake Michigan. But that quickly gave way to warm sun and excellent winds. The race committee, led by Principal Race Officer Dave Bronson, did an excellent job knocking off 12 flights (48 races) in 12-25 knots of southwest and westerly breezes.

The top eight teams form the round robin will advance to the quarter-finals, but with each team having four matches left to complete the round, there are still enough points on the table to leave the quarter-finalists up in the air.

The race committee intends to complete the Round Robin on Thursday and start with the Quarter-Finals. Racing will continue through Saturday in the waters south of the Sheboygan breakwater directly in front of the Blue Harbor Resort. There is excellent viewing form the shore. If you are unable to make it to the waterfront, viewing is available on-line via web cam and live tracking.

Standings After Day Two (22 Flights):

Nicky Souter (AUS) 11 wins – 0 losses
Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) 10-1
Genny Tulloch (USA) 9-2
Olivia Price (AUS) 9-2,
Anne-Claire Le Berre (FRA) 8-3
Ru Wang (CHN) 7-4
Julie Bossard (FRA) 7-4
Renata Decnop (BRA) 5-6
Juliana Senfft (BRA) 5-6
Stephanie Roble (USA) 4-7
Juliana Mota (BRA) 4-7
Becca Dellenbaugh (USA) 3-8
Sharon Ferris-Choat (CAN) 3-8
Caroline Sylvan (SWE) 2-9
Martina Silva (ARG) 1-10
Jinnie Gordon (CAN) 0-11
Tuesday, August 23
The first day of racing at the third annual Buddy Melges Challenge saw a wide variety of conditions as thunderstorms rolled through the area late in the morning. The moderate morning breeze gave way to light and shifty conditions as the storm clouds passed, but the afternoon’s clearing skies saw the breeze freshen again to a steady 12-14 knot Southwesterly.

After 10 flights, Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) and her Team Mclaran (Debbie Capozzi and Molly Vandemoer) and Nicky Souter (AUS) and her Australian Women’s Match Racing Team (Jessica Eastwell and Katie Spithill) are undefeated and lead the way, Tunnicliffe 6-0 and Souter 4-0. Also in the mix for the event lead with only one loss each are Olivia Price (AUS) 5-1 and Genny Tulloch (USA) 4-1. The two French teams of Anne-Claire Le Berre and Julie Bossard are tied with China’s Ru Wang with 3 wins from 4 matches.

With 20 more flights scheduled to finish the round robin, there is still plenty of opportunities for all sixteen teams before the 8 quarter-finalists are determined. The round robin for the 16 teams continues Wednesday and Thursday before the top 8 advance to the quarter-finals.