2022 Melges 24 Worlds gets underway

Ft. Lauderdale, FL (May 11, 2022) – The 2022 Melges 24 World Championship got underway today for the 31 teams, with Bora Gulari (USA) posting a 4-1-2 to hold a four point lead over Harry Melges IV (USA) with Laura Grondin (USA) 11 points back in third.

Turquoise waters with winds of 15-23 knots from North and North-East delivered big waves for the first day of racing.

Harry Melges IV and his team on Zenda Express had the first bullet of the Melges 24 Worlds on the newest boat and one of the youngest teams in the fleet. “It feels great!” said Melges IV at the dock after the races. “We did a really great day sailing out there in Fort Lauderdale and it was just perfect.”

Gulari’s New England Ropes claimed the second bullet while the third victory of the day went to the Corinthian team – Niccoló Bertola and his team on Taki 4 (ITA, 21-12-1). The victory tasted especially sweet since it’s Niccolo’s birthday today and Taki 4 is seeking to defend its three-time Corinthian World Champion title (2016, 2017, 2019).

“We are very happy about the last race, of course! It was a very tough day beginning with the medium conditions and getting stronger all day long. We had a very bad start in the first race, and it was hard to get to the finish,” said Bertola who is being coached by Carlo Fracassoli, three-time Melges 24 World Champion (2012, 2017, 2019).

Taki 4 leads the Corinthian scoreboard being 11th in Overall ranking. Second best Corinthian team is reigning Corinthian North American Champion Sunnyvale of Fraser McMillan (CAN, 14-9-18) followed by 3 ½ Men of Steve Suddath (USA, 20-10-20).

Twelve races are planned for May 11-15, 2022.

Race details – Results – Facebook