Quantum sails led Dick DeVos and Volpe to a 2-point victory last weekend at the Melges 32 Blue Water Series Lauderdale Cup. By winning the third event in the series, DeVos secured his overall victory, winning the 2016 Blue Water Series. Quantum-powered Team Hydra claimed the Corinthian titles, winning the Lauderdale Cup and the series.
Team Hydra races to a 3rd place in Ft. Lauderdale. Photo by John Payne.
Quantum’s Melges expert Scott Nixon said conditions were excellent for the Lauderdale Cup, with winds in the 11-18 knot range for all three days. The top Quantum teams used three Quantum sails throughout the event: the 2016 stock class Fusion M main, the stock class medium jib, and the A2.5 Airx-650 spinnaker.
Nixon said these sails are favorites for their versatility and power. “The medium jib is very versatile in the 10-18 knot ranges, where lead placement, head stay tension, and mast jack adjustments get you easily through all the gear changes. The class-favorite spinnaker is Quantum’s A2.5 AP class runner. It has great power and depth, yet it still goes bow up when needed to promote a plane.”
DeVos took advantage of his Quantum sails and stayed in the top three during all counted races at the Lauderdale Cup. Not far behind, Morgan Kiss on Team Hydra won four of the races, finishing third overall and first in the Corinthian division. Fourth and fifth place finishers Rick DeVos on Delta and Alessandro Rombelli on STIG also raced with Quantum sails.
Dick DeVos placed third at the Blue Water Series December event and fourth at the February event. With his first place finish this past weekend, he claimed the series title by one point. Also finishing in the top five were Rick DeVos on Delta in third and Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio on G-SPOT in fifth. Kiss and Team Hydra took sixth place overall and first in the Corinthian division.
The Melges 32 fleet will take a break now until July and August, when the boats will head to Newport, Rhode Island for two events before the September World Championship. Racing continues across the Atlantic, however, as the Melges 32 World Series goes on this month in Italy. Quantum’s 2016 Melges 32 tuning guide is updated and available for anyone looking to make the most of their summer sailing season.
Congratulations to everyone on a great Blue Water Series, and here’s to a great summer season!
Full results from the Lauderdale Cup.