SUP Designers Battle at America’s CUP

Pete Melvin and Juan Kouyoumdjian have designed some of the most innovative and eye-catching stand up paddle race boards in the market. But the two share more than a passion for sup design.

Artemis Racing in San Diego, California (left) and Boardworks SUP/M&M teamrider Anthony Vela (right).

SAN DIEGO, CA – Pete Melvin and Juan Kouyoumdjian are designers for some of the most competitive vessels at the America’s CUP, a prestigious race series that features the world’s fastest sailboats. And although the two also have a background designing stand up paddle (sup) race boards, it is among sailboats that they face a fierce rivalry.

Pete Melvin is the designer and naval architect of Emirates Team New Zealand, the Kiwi sailboat that is currently leading the America’s CUP 2011-12, both in the match and fleet races. Emirates Team New Zealand is one of the favorites to win this year’s event, possibly defeating the all-star and reigning champion, Oracle Racing Spithill.

In addition to his impressive credentials in sailboat design, Melvin, together with Gino Morrelli, designed the M&M, a stand up paddle race board manufactured by Boardworks SUP. The M&M has already had incredible success in the sup scene, with major wins, like 1st place in the highly competitive Carolina CUP 2010 and 1st place in the SoCal Ocean Racing Series 2010, both powered by Boardworks SUP teamrider Anthony Vela, from San Clemente, California.

As to Juan Kouyoumdjian, he is the principal designer of Artemis Racing, the Swedish sailboat that now places 3rd in the match racing of the America’s CUP. Artemis Racing, together with Emirates Team New Zealand and Oracle Racing Spithill, sits atop the list of the best teams and fastest sailboats in this year’s America’s CUP.

Kouyoumdjian, earlier this year, launched the PUMA stand up paddle race board, the product of a collaboration among PUMA, Laird Hamilton, and Surftech. The PUMA sup race board won the title of Gear of the Show by Outside Magazine at the Outdoor Retailer Tradeshow in July 2011. It hasn’t yet made a splash in the sup racing scene, but (if Kouyoumdjian’s sailboat record is any indication of PUMA’s future) the board will likely become a major force in the stand up paddle circuit.

In the meantime, Melvin and Kouyoumdjian keep a close eye on their America’s CUP creations and hope to claim the title of designer of the world’s fastest sailboat. Of the six events in the America’s CUP, three have already taken place, Cascais, PT, Plymouth, UK, and San Diego, USA. Melvin’s boat and crew, Emirates Team New Zealand (55 total points), lead in both divisions, fleet and match racing, closely followed by Oracle Racing Spithill (54 total points). And even without finishing one of the races in Plymouth, Artemis Racing comes in third place (40 total points). With three more events to come, the America’s CUP is still up for grabs. And with so much riding on it, Melvin and Kouyoumdjian will certainly keep a close watch on their boats and team performance.

Links

Boardworks M&M SUP Race Board

Surftech PUMA SUP Race Board

America's CUP Pete Melvin Profile

America's CUP Juan Kouyoumdjian Profile

Who do you think has the best sup race board, Melvin or Kouyoumdjian?

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