Melges 32 battle resumes

As Tony Buckingham and Ngoni join the part in St Thomas

Round two of the 2013 OtterBox Melges 32 Virgin Islands Sailing Series takes place this weekend, held in conjunction with the International Rolex Regatta, in St Thomas, USVI.

Nine Melges 32 teams have arrived and are anxiously awaiting some very heated competition, in particular Virgin Gorda, Event No. 1 winner and current series leader Roberto Tomasini Grinover aboard Robertissima.

Tomasini Grinover sits center stage with repeat tactician Vasco Vascotto at his side. For Event No. 2, he has elected to take his efforts up a notch by employing the additional efforts of Giovanni Cassinari and Federico Michetti, one of the most highly decorated Melges sailing champions in the world.

The rest of the fleet is equally star-studded. Virgin Gorda third runner up, Jason Carroll and tactician Cameron Appleton on Argo are also present with their sights firmly set on the top prize. Richard Goransson's Inga From Sweden plans to pack a punch with Hamish Pepper calling the shots. Ryan DeVos' Volpe is fully equipped with former America's Cup skipper Ed Baird on as tactician, while his younger cousin Dalton on Delta, continues to ramp things up with Jonathan McKee calling tactics.

The Caribbean Fleet is very well represented by Mark Plaxton on INTAC, who just recently earned the 'Most Worthy Performance Overall' title for winning every single race of the St Maarten's Heineken Regatta. Puerto Rico's Jaime Torres on Smile and Wave will be happily smiling and waving as he revs up his Melges 32 for a weekend of super charged sportboat racing.

Russia's Valentin Zavadnikov will drive the Team Synergy initiative, while new to the fleet is Tony Buckingham aboard Ngoni where ex-Camper VO70 skipper and former 49er sailor Chris Nicholson is calling tactics with the eminent Ross Halcrow on mainsheet.

Entries

1.) Jason Carroll/Cameron Appleton, Argo
2.) Dalton DeVos/Jonathan McKee, Delta
3.) Richard Goransson/Hamish Pepper, Inga From Sweden
4.) Mark Plaxton/Richard Clarke, INTAC
5.) Tony Buckingham/Chris Nicholson, Ngoni
6.) Roberto Tomasini Grinover/Vasco Vascotto, Robertissima
7.) Jaime Torres/Riccardo Pappa, Smile and Wave
8.) Valentin Zavadinkov/Tommaso Chiefi, Team Synergy
9.) Ryan DeVos/Ed Baird, Volpe