News

March 5, 2008

Mean Machine looks to set Miami on fire

“World Class” is the only way to describe the level of competition due to hit Miami waters tomorrow. Mean Machine is gearing up for the Farr 40 battle right now with a crew including team classics such as Dirk de Ridder, Ray Davies and Jono Swain.

The regatta is set to bring together over 60 boats from 13 different countries, around 30 of which will be of the one-design Farr 40 variety. The scratch sheet boasts an impressive list of the crème of world sailing, and competition is sure to be more than fierce. With the current level of the Farr 40 fleet the 2008 Acura Miami Grand Prix trophy will be a more welcome addition to any team’s trophy cabinet than ever.



Peter de Ridder’s team will be racing Mean Machine number 21, launched last autumn, the boat they have yet to achieve a victory with. So far performance has revealed that the new addition to the family is capable of hitting the top spots on the podium, but now the team hope to take the Machine to the next level with results that prove she’s got the momentum to win.

With Ray Davies on tactics, Dirk de Ridder and Jono Swain trimming and team founder Peter de Ridder at the helm, the Mean Machines are hoping to bring the goods home over the course of 10 races off South Beach (Florida). Their current position is 5th place in the class rankings, following Key West in January, and the team are tied on points with Paul Cayard’s Warpath-MedImpact. The regatta is a double whammy with teams also going head to head for the coveted Acura Miami Grand Prix Award for the best-combined scores from Key West and this regatta. To top off this thrilling event, performances in Miami will also be followed closely as the impressive fleet looks towards the Rolex World Championships in April.

The action kicks off tomorrow off South Beach, Florida, running over four days. Be sure to watch this space for all the latest Mean Machine news.