Melges 32 Worlds: Rombelli is crowned Champ

Trapani, Italy – Congratulations are in full order for Alessandro Rombelli and his STIG 2015 Melges 32 World Champion team that includes tactician Francesco Bruni and crew members Pierluigi De Felice, Giorgio Tortarolo, Michele Giovannini, Daniele Fiaschi, Luca Faravelli (2010 World Champ) and Filippo La Mantia. Less than one year ago, Rombelli found himself fourth overall at the Miami Worlds. A complete European sailing season later, he now sits atop as ‘King’ of the world’s most highly competitive, yet extraordinarily rewarding one design class — the Melges 32.

Despite the most impressive performance on the water, on the final day of any World Championship ever, 2013-14 trophy holder Jason Carroll on Argo finishes the event in second overall. Tactician Cameron Appleton and crew members Scott Norris, Anthony Kotoun, Graham Landy, Mike Kutchner, Phillip ‘Flipper’ Wehrheim and Jake Ladow raced their hearts out to score a 1-1 for the day.

2015 marked the first time that American Ryan DeVos on Volpe raced on the prestigious European Audi-Tron Sailing Series circuit. One of the fleet’s most exciting twenty-somethings, DeVos finished third overall. He has been racing his Melges 32 alongside of his father Dick DeVos for more than five years, and amongst their most notable accomplishments are U.S. National and North American Championship titles. In addition to his dad, the legendary Mark Mendelblatt served as tactician with crew members Scott Nixon, Sam Rogers, Ryan’s cousin Drew Weirda, Mike Hill and Keiran Searle.

Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio’s G-SPOT, winner of two World Championship heats finished the event in fourth, followed by Japan’s Yukihiro Ishida on Yasha Samurai in fifth — his best result at a Melges 32 Worlds!

ROMBELLI WINS 2015 AUDI-TRON SAILING SERIES
It goes without saying that for Rombelli and his STIG team, it has been an unforgettable season of racing his Melges 32. With impactful wins in Loano, Porto Ercole and now Trapani at Worlds, Rombelli has established himself as a true, formidable opponent and competitor in the world of yacht racing.

Leading right up to the Worlds, Tomasini Grinover’s Robertissima remained a strong front-runner. His win in Riva del Garda combined with only an eighth place finish at Worlds, Roberto comfortably finishes the season second overall.

Another individual who shined exceptionally bright all season long, and put brilliance on front-burner display in Trapani is third place overall di Lapigio. He proudly finishes out the European sailing season in third overall.

Rounding out the top five was the enthusiastic, energetic and highly entertaining team of Torpyone commanded by Edoardo Lupi and Massimo Pessina in fourth, and the American, not to mention youngest helmsman in the fleet, Dalton DeVos on Delta finished fifth.

A VERY SPECIAL THANKS
As always, many thanks to all twenty-two beautiful Melges 32 teams for attending. This championship would not have been possible without you — spanning representation from nine nations! Much appreciation and gratitude is extended to Melges 32 Class partners Series title sponsor Audi, B.PLAN SPORT & EVENTS (BPSE) and MELGES EUROPE for the outstanding organization of this event and the entire season. To our great friend and mighty PRO Anderson Reggio and his race committee/management team, the jury, Yacht Club Favignana — thank your for your expertise, talents and hard work to make this event a great success. And, again as in the beginning, a very special thank you to Capitaneria di Porto di Trapani for making the Harbor Regatta possible most especially to the Comitato Organizzatore Trapani – thank you, thank you Trapani for the warm Sicilian hospitality!

TIME TO RACE IN THE U.S.A. — W.F.O.R.C. & 2015/16 BLUE WATER SERIES
The 2015 Melges 32 World Championship was epic and in keeping with that momentum, the very first ever Blue Water Series will take place this Fall/Winter/Spring in the U.S.A. This series will be the culmination of fun, fast yet relaxed enjoyable racing in one of the sunniest parts of the world — Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Topping it all off — all three events will be hosted by the lovely Lauderdale Yacht Club. All Melges 32s are invited to attend, so save the dates today! Registration is open for all three events!
Event No. 1: U.S. National Championship – 2015 December 4-6
Event No. 2: Gold Cup Regatta – 2016 February 12-14
Event No. 3: Lauderdale Cup – 2016 April 1-3

W.F.O.R.C. Regatta is one of the longest running regattas in the Southeastern region of the United States. Hosted by the Pensacola Yacht Club in Pensacola, FL, attendance at this event is highly encouraged. Great fun, a very relaxed atmosphere but also, some seriously awesome racing too.

TOP TEN RESULTS (FINAL – After Eight Races, One Discard)
1.) Alessandro Rombelli/Francesco Bruni, STIG; 2-2-4-3-1-[18]-4-2-3-6 = 27
2.) Jason Carroll/Cameron Appleton, Argo; 4-3-1-2-4-4-[21]-15-1-1 = 35
3.) Ryan DeVos/Mark Mendelblatt, Volpe; 3-4-8-14-9-2-[19]-5-5-2 = 52
4.) Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio/Branko Brcin, G-SPOT; 12-10-5-1-7-1-15-[18]-6-7 = 64
5.) Yukihiro Ishida/Hamish Pepper, Yasha Samurai; 11-6-3-16-[20]-3-17-1-8-3 = 68
6.) Keisuke Suzuki/Nicolai Sehested, Swing; 14-8-6-5-6-7-12-[20]-4-11 = 73
7.) Dalton DeVos/Jonathan McKee, Delta; 13-5-19-4-3-[20]-9-7-10-4 = 74
8.) Roberto Tomasini Grinover/Vasco Vascotto, Robertissima; 1-21-2-13-12-9-3-6-[22/ZFP]-12 = 79
9.) Andrea Ferrari/Roberto Spata, Spirit of Nerina; 7-7-16-11-11-10-1-4-12-[20] = 79
10.) Filippo Pacinotti/Gabrio Zandona, Brontolo HH; 9-[20]-13-12-2-12-14-3-7-16 = 88

2015 AUDI-TRON SAILING SERIES TOP TEN RESULTS (FINAL – After Five Events)
1.) Alessandro Rombelli, STIG; 134 pts.
2.) Roberto Tomasini Grinover, Robertissima; 152 pts.
3.) Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio, G-SPOT; 189 pts.
4.) Edoardo Lupi/Massimo Pessina, Torpyone; 249 pts.
5.) Dalton DeVos, Delta; 253 pts.
6.) Alec Cutler, Hedgehog; 257 pts.
7.) Jason Carroll, Argo; 262 pts.
8.) Valetin Zavadnikov, Synergy GT; 267 pts.
9.) Richard Goransson, Inga From Sweden; 295 pts.
10.) Andrea Ferrari, Spirit of Nerina; 299 pts.

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