Touché Kiss

August 28, 2010 (Holland, MI) - After two days and six championship races at the 2010 Audi Melges 20 U.S. National Championship, Michael Kiss on Bacio continues to lead the twenty-one strong one design fleet. In second overall is Canada’s Kate Mullin on CAN-141 while John Arendshorst on Blink slips back to third.

Today was a much easier day on the race committee, yet nothing could be further from the truth for the well-seasoned Audi Melges 20 fleet racing on Lake Michigan. Kiss poured on the heat from the very start with a carbon copy performance on race 1 and 2.

The day started on time with a comfortable 8-10 knots out of the south. Kiss managed another great start, catapulting him to the front of the field. Once out front, that’s where he remained. Another impressive lead took him to the finish. Simon Strauss on Simplicity took second place honors, Arendshorst was third.

Race two brought a little less breeze and shiftier conditions, which simply frustrated teams as they worked hard to productively get around the course. Defending National Champion Eric Wynsma on Superfly finally found a groove for a second place finish. Macatawa Bay Yacht Club Member Tony Tabb with Steve Sisson at the helm of USA-88 also got in on the action placing third. Kiss appeared unstoppable at this point taking yet another strategic win.

For the final race of the day, the sun shined brighter than ever under clear blue skies and very warm temperatures, the breeze faded drastically with the afternoon hours. From start to finish there were a continuous stream of lead changes involving George Gamble on A Little Wicked, Tom Ritter on Tramp, Mullin and Chuck Holzman on Flyer. Kiss remained in the top five, being patient for positioning to win. On the last upwind leg, as the race committee shortened the course further, Holzman found himself in charge with Kiss challenging until the end. "I'm glad to have broken Michael’s winning streak." said Holzman after racing. Kiss settled for second. Mullin won out for third.

Kiss now leads the Audi Melges 20 U.S. National Championship with a substantial 17 point advantage. The major battles take place between the second thru fourth positions — Mullin with 22, Arendshorst with 23 and Tabb in third with 26 points.

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