Sibenik, Croatia (Jul. 18, 2017) - Starting on Thursday, July 20 and running through Saturday, July 22, the next Melges 32 European Champion will be decided over what is currently forecasted to be three, very hot days.
Just last week the Melges 20 European Championship completed, and Sibenik proved to be a spectacular race track in both windy and light air conditions. The flat water sea state allows teams to experience more horsepower, demanding extremely accurate and in most situations, cunning tactical decisions. It's the perfect set-up for top Melges 32 teams serious about winning the highly-coveted European title and trophy.
Sixteen teams from seven nations are in attendance representing Czech Republic, Germany, Italy (highest number of participants), Monaco, Russia, Sweden and Turkey.
Thus far, three Melges 32 World League events have taken place - Portovenere and Scarlino were won by Matteo Balestrero on GIOGI, and Riva Del Garda went to Edoardo Lupi/Massimo Pessina on TORPYONE. The 2017 European Championship will be the fourth, an incredible lead-up to the season's grand finale - the World Championship in Cala Galera, Italy on August 22-26.
Balestrero and the super entertaining duo of Lupi/Pessina are not only among the top three teams on 2017 Melges 32 World League ranking, but they are also predicted to be two of the toughest to beat. Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio's G-SPOT also joins the World League ranks as he occupies second place overall.
Unlike any other event in 2017, Sibenik is a first for the fleet and with so many top ranking teams on the starting line, predicting the outcome is virtually impossible.
For example, Richard Goransson's INGA, Fritz Homann's WILMA, Pavel Kuznetsov on TAVATUY, Andrea Lacorte's VITAMINA AMERIKANA, Edoardo Pavesio on FRA MARTINA and Andrea Ferrari's SPIRIT OF NERINA are all on the watch list and could easily be considered top contenders.
The fleet would like to welcome a new face - Jan Kuchar, a constant in the Melges 20 Class takes the helm of the Czech Republic's BLACK MAMBA.
Racing commences on Thursday, July 20 with a first warning of 13.30.
The Melges 32 World League European Division is supported by Helly Hansen, Garmin Marine Italia, Toremar, Lavazza and Barracuda Communication.
MEDIA AND RACING COVERAGE
As with all Melges 32 events around the world, racing updates will be posted online at the Official Melges 32 Facebook Page. Tune in for the latest racing information, results, video interviews, and photos. Race reports, press releases and photos will be available online each day post-racing at melges32.com.
ENTRY LIST
1.) Jan Kuchar/Tomislav Basic, BLACK MAMBA
2.) Martin Reintjies/Enrico Fonda, CAIPIRINHA (Corinthian)
3.) Ahmet Eker/Mike Buckley, EKER
4.) Edoardo Pavesio/Manuel Weiller Vidal, FRA MARTINA
5.) Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio/Branko Brcin, G-SPOT
6.) Matteo Balestrero/Daniele Cassinari, GIOGI
7.) Kilian Holzapfel/Frithjof Schwerdt, JUNIOR HOMANIT (Corinthian)
8.) Richard Goransson, Vasco Vascotto, INGA
9.) Christian Schwoerer/Nic Asher, LA PERICOLOSA
10.) Jens Khune/Stefano Cherin, SJAMBOK
11.) Andrea Ferrari/Pietro Piero Sibello, SPIRIT OF NERINA
12.) Pavel Kuznetsov/Evgeny Neugodnikov, TAVATUY
13.) Edoardo Lupi-Massimo Pessina/Lorenzo Bressani, TORPYONE
14.) Francesco Graziani/Andrea Fornaro, VITAMINA (Corinthian)
15.) Andrea Lacorte/Gabriele Benussi, VITAMINA AMERIKANA
16.) Fritz Homann/Nico Celon, WILMA
TOP FIVE RESULTS (2017 Melges 32 World League, Three Events Complete)
1.) Matteo Balestrero, GIOGI = 56 pts.
2.) Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio, G-SPOT = 52 pts.
3.) Edoardo Lupi/Massimo Pessina, TORPYONE = 48 pts.
4.) Pavel Kuznetsov, TAVATUY; 48 pts.
3.) Andrea Lacorte, VITAMINA AMERIKANA = 48 pts.
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