Tactical Moves and Tight Finishes at Day 2 of Melges 15 Europeans
Dublin Bay – July 12
The Hyland Shipping course delivered a day of light-air chess matches and standout performances on Day 2 of the Melges 15 Europeans. Four races were completed in challenging conditions, with big moves shaking up the overall leaderboard.
Race 1 – The lightest air race of the regatta saw John Sheehy and his niece Katie Sheehy (IRL 564, Flying Tiger) lead at the top mark. Close behind were Rob Britts (USA 1016) and Emily Haig (USA 1018). Haig and crew Jimmy Muller surged downwind to take the lead, but Simon and Katie Horsfield (GBR 1023) jibed smartly at the end and edged them out by less than a boat length to take the win.
Race 2 – With the sea breeze starting to fill (6–8 knots), Joan Gelpi and Maritxell Gelpi (ESP 1026) nailed the right side of the course and took an early lead they would never relinquish. The father-daughter team of John and Dana Haig (USA 1017) rounded second, followed closely by Esteban Forrer and Jeremy Herrin (USA 1021). But it was the Virgin Islands teams—Atlee Kohl and Cathal O'Regan (ISV 1015) and Lola Kohl and Emily Kohl (ISV 1019)—who made the biggest move, jibing early and gaining massively. ESP 1026 won convincingly, with ISV 1015 finishing second after a near-perfect downwind.
Race 3 – With the light air continuing, Emily Haig and Jimmy Muller once again showed their light-air mastery, sailing to victory. Atlee Kohl and Cathal O'Regan beat out John and Katie Sheehy in a photo finish for second.
Race 4 – Joan Gelpi and Maritxell Gelpi (ESP 1026) continued their strong form, leading early with ISV 1015 and ISV 1019 in pursuit. The regatta leaders faced some pressure as Barry McCartin and Teddy Byrne (IRL 562) rounded 7th, and Forrer and Herrin (USA 1021) sat in 10th. McCartin and Byrne executed a textbook downwind jibe, climbing into third by the leeward mark. On the final upwind, Atlee Kohl and Cathal O'Regan (ISV 1015) and Joan Gelpi and Maritxell Gelpi (ESP 1026) engaged in a tacking duel, with ISV 1015 outmaneuvering the Spanish team rounding just ahead. The finishing order held downwind, setting the stage for a tight final day.
Top 5 Overall (After 7 Races):
Atlee Kohl & Cathal O'Regan (ISV 1015) – 21 pts
Esteban Forrer & Jeremy Herrin (USA 1021) – 23 pts
Barry McCartin & Teddy Byrne (IRL 562) – 24 pts
Simon & Katie Horsfield (GBR 1023) – 31 pts John & Katie Sheehy (IRL 564) – 31 pts
Full results: https://halsail-1e484.kxcdn.com/Result/Public/90184?EventID=5201
Regatta photos: https://melges.smugmug.com/Melges-15/2025-Melges-15-Europeans/Day-2
