Zimmerman (PER) and Provan (CAN) lead after first day of Buddy Melges Challenge

Sheboygan, Wis., (September 11, 2009) --The first day of racing in the inaugural Buddy Melges Cup dished up a steady 6- to 8-knot southeast breeze that put a premium on boat speed during the first round robin. After six rounds, two skippers, Tania Zimmerman of Peru and Jen Provan of Canada, were tied with 5 points each.

Next highest in the point totals was Kiwi skipper Stephanie Hazard with 4 points, and fellow New Zealander Samantha Osborne with 3 points. U.S. skippers Sandy Hayes, Liz Hjorth and Maegan Ruhlman were tied with 2 points. Anne Marie Shewfelt of Canada had one point after sailing just three races and Kristen Lane and Linur Kliger of Israel had no points.

Zimmerman’s sole loss of the day came when she was disqualified in Race 6 for sailing to the wrong windward mark and Shewfelt gained the point. Provan’s only loss of the day came at the hands of Zimmerman.

Saturday’s racing will conclude the round robin, then move to the quarterfinals and semifinals, weather permitting. Racing continues through Sunday.

The regatta is the first in the United States to be sailed in the new Olympic class boat, the Elliott 6m. Many teams sailed the boats for the first time during a practice Thursday.

Ten teams are competing in the event hosted by the US Sailing Center Sheboygan.

After six flights the standings:
- Tania Zimmerman (Peru) - 5-1
- Jen Provan (Canada) - 5-1
- Stephanie Hazard (New Zealand) - 4-1
- Samantha Osborne (New Zealand) - 3-1
- Sandy Hayes (USA) - 2-2
- Liz Hjorth (USA) - 2-3
- Meaghan Ruhlman (USA) - 2-4
- Anne Marie Shewfelt (Canada) - 1-2
- Linur Kliger (Israel) - 0-3
- Kristen Lane (USA) - 0-5

The results are available here: www.wimra.org/documents/BMC_Friday_Results.pdf

For more information, photos, and live streaming video, visit www.ussailingcentersheboygan.org/n-2009-melgeschallenge-main.php

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