Zimmerman, Provan continue domination at Buddy Melges Challenge

Sheboygan, WI, USA, (September 12, 2009) -- Peru’s Tania Zimmerman and
Canada’s Jen Provan continued to dominate the Buddy Melges Challenge
fleet on a fluky air day that challenged the race committee and
competitors alike.

The day started with a fresh gradient breeze from the north that
allowed the US Sailing Center Sheboygan race committee to get off two
races in the round robin before postponing as the sea breeze
attempted to fill in. Eventually, Principal Race Officer Rich
Reichelsdorfer was able to get in an additional two races, but by mid-
afternoon it became clear the wind was not going to fill in steadily
to allow the race committee to finish out the round robin Saturday.

Zimmerman picked up three more points today to finish their round
robin and lead the regatta with a total of 8 points. Provan, with one
race to sail tomorrow, trails with 7 points and will have the
opportunity to tie Zimmerman in the round robin if she beats American
skipper Liz Hjorth.

The two New Zealand teams, lead by Stephanie Hazard and Samantha
Osborne ended the day with 6 and 5 points, respectively, each with
one race left to sail in the round robin. Cleveland, Ohio, skipper
Maegan Ruhlman posted the best finish of the four American teams,
finishing the day with 4 points, with one race left to sail in the
round robin. Sandy Hayes and Israel’s Linur Kliger were tied with 3
points each, Hjorth had 2 points, and Canada’s Anne Marie Shewfelt
and California’s Kristen Lane each had 1 point.

Results fter 10 flights the standings:
- Tania Zimmerman (Peru) - 8-1
- Jen Provan (Canada) - 7-1
- Stephanie Hazard (New Zealand) – 6-2
- Samantha Osborne (New Zealand) – 5-3
- Meaghan Ruhlman (USA) – 4-4
- Sandy Hayes (USA) – 3-5
- Linur Kliger (Israel) – 3-4
- Liz Hjorth (USA) - 2-6
- Anne Marie Shewfelt (Canada) - 1-6
- Kristen Lane (USA) – 1-8

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

The challenging weather conditions, which are unusual for this time
of year in Wisconsin, put the regatta behind schedule, Reichelsdorfer
said.

"The gradient wind was from the wrong direction today and the water
temperature and air temperature are too similar to produce a strong
enough thermal to overcome the gradient and ended up fighting each
other, and we were stuck in the middle with no wind," he said. "
Unfortunately the forecast for tomorrow doesn’t look too promising,
but we’ll make every effort to complete the round robin and then to
move into the finals."

Reichelsdorfer said the race committee will meet before racing
tomorrow to review the weather and develop a plan for proceeding with
the regatta. The quarterfinals round has already been eliminated.
Following racing on Saturday, the Buddy Melges Challenge Trophy, a
replica of the America’s Cup, was dedicated. Buddy Melges and his
wife Gloria were on hand with for the trophy dedication and Melges
said he was thrilled to see the sport of sailing recognize women as
great sailors and fierce competitors. Terry Kohler, a supporter of
the US Sailing Center Sheboygan, unveiled the trophy, which will be
displayed at the Sheboygan Yacht Club.

The Buddy Melges Challenge is the first regatta outside of Europe to
be sailed in the Elliott 6m Olympic class sailboat. The Grade 2 match
racing event is expected to become an annual event.

For more information on the regatta or the US Sailing Center
Sheboygan, go to www.ussailingcentersheboygan.org on the Web.