Light Winds Slow Melges 20 Worlds

Scarlino, Italy (August 27, 2016) – The one and only race that was able to take place at the 2016 Melges 20 World Championship was a difficult one at best but managed to present some new faces at the front of the fleet.

The light breeze of 6-7 knots at 220 degrees really took its toll on some teams, and for others it was a stroke of brilliance. Race Six gave way to a big win for Russia’s Alexander Novoselov aboard Victor. Poland’s Krzysztof Krempec on Mag Tiny also earned an outstanding result by chasing Novoselov at every turn. Current World Championship leader Drew Freides on Pacific Yankee chased their every move.

A big shift at the second upwind mark offered no interruption to Novoselov’s lead, giving him complete control and ultimately taking the win. Krempec was second, then Friedes followed by Achille Onorato’s Mascalzone Latino Jr. and Filippo Pacinotti’s Brontolo Sailing Squadron finished fourth and fifth respectively. Manlio Carlo Soldani on For Sale came sixth, his best finish of the regatta.

So, Freides with a third place finish in Race Six, keeps the lead and extends his position by a couple of points as we anticipate the final day of competition taking place on Sunday.

Illbruck, finished deep but is steadfast in second place, all thanks to discards going into play. Onorato’s daily fourth and his discard puts him back in the hunt back at third overall.

Rob Wilber on Cinghiale remains in fourth, and for Liam Kilroy on Wildman a difficult day indeed. He stays in fifth after a collision at the start with subsequent penalties.

Among the nine all-amateur teams, Mirko Bargolini on Spirit of Nerina has regained the lead, with lady helm Marina Kaverzina on Marussia moving up into second. Overnight leader Emanuele Savoini on Evinrude experienced a tougher day sliding back to third. The same was true for Cesar Gomes Neto on Portobello who is fourth going into the final day. Johannes Lind-Windstam on Intermezzo rounds out the top five thanks to a nice top-twenty finish in today’s light air challenging conditions.

More light breeze is in the forecast for the final day of racing.

Fifty-six teams will compete in up to 10 races on August 25-28.

Day Three Standings (Top 10 of 56; 6 races, 1 discard)
1.) Drew Freides, Pacific Yankee; 6-2-5-4-2-3 = 16
2.) Michael Illbruck, Pinta; 7-1-1-6-5-32 = 20
3.) Achille Onorato, Mascalzone Latino, Jr.; 4-6-9-3-40-4 = 26
4.) Rob Wilber, Cinghiale; 9-16-4-25-1-12 = 42
5.) Liam Kilroy, Wildman; 13-4-22-1-3-51 = 43
6.) Krzysztof Krempec, Mag Tiny; 12-5-3-40-22-2 = 44
7.) Alessandro Rombelli, STIG; 25-18-6-2-19-8 = 53
8.) Guido Miani, Out of Reach; 18-23-2-15-11-11 = 57
9.) Rodney Jones, Caffe Expresso, 3-7-36-5-42-7 = 58
10.) John Kilroy Jr., Samba Pa Ti; 2-11-10-7-30-43 = 60

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Source: Melges 20 Class