Melbourne Yacht Club, in conjunction with Eau Gallie Yacht Club, hosted the initial regatta for the 2016/2017 J/24 Florida State Series. Muy Muy, skippered by Patricio Sly and with crew Atilio Renom, Alejandro Ballestin, Claudio Mintzias and Ernesto Mendoza, collected the first place prize. Sailing October 1-2 on the Indian River in Melbourne, FL, the Race Committee lead by PRO Pat Lambert was able to start six races in challenging light air conditions. They had a late start Saturday to allow the boats to travel in the morning. The sea breeze came in a little late and not as strong as usual, but enough where four races were completed. Muy Muy of Fleet 10 Miami led the fleet by a very good margin, followed by Michael Pentaleri of Jacksonville’s Fleet 55 and Todd Fedyszyn of Fleet 86 in Tampa. Melbourne Yacht Club hosted a lasagna dinner with a showing of a thousand or so photos of the day’s sailing. Sunday’s racing started early, but trying to get one race in before the sea breeze was futile. After the abandonment, it did not take long for an easterly to settle in, though again it was lighter than usual. The RC did get another two races off, allowing for a throw-out, thus jostling the overall positions. Muy Muy held the top position easily, followed by Scott MacGregor in Rabble Rouser with his wife Kali, Alan Capellin and Ross Shedden. Third place was awarded to Spoony Tactics sailed by Todd Fedyszyn sailing with Genoa Fedyszyn, Will Stocke, Blaire McCarthy and Bogan Whitehead. Eau Gallie Yacht Club, a member of the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs, will be host to the 2017 J/24 Midwinter Championship February 9-12. The next event in the Florida State Series will be The Kings Day Regatta at The Florida Yacht Club, November 19-20. This will also be the 2016 Southeast Regionals and the first event of the J/24 Winter Series.