domenica 15 ottobre 2017

Rombelli Crowned Melges 40 Valencia Grand Prix Champion


(14 October 2017 / Valencia, Spain) - STIG, and STIG still. Alessandro Rombelli and his predominantly Italian team which includes tactician Francesco Bruni, Pierluigi De Felice, Luca Faravelli, Daniele Fiaschi, Iztok Knafelc, Filippo La Mantia, Pietro Mantovani and Giorgio Tortarolo are 2017 Valencia Melges 40 Grand Prix Champions.


Four days and ten races later (seven of which Rombelli claimed as his own), he has officially captured his second win of the 2017 season. Without discussion, it is a time that is fast becoming one of record-breaking, precedent-setting proportions.

"We are really happy about the result. We are very confident post our debut in Porto Cervo and because of that success, we have been able to better understand our opponents and realize the secrets of this pure blood that is the Melges 40," said Rombelli. "Behind our victory, there is really no secret other than the fact that we are a very united team, where everything is turning into perfection the longer we are together. We look forward to returning to Palma de Mallorca for the third Melges 40 Grand Prix regatta, which we think will be an equally challenging and exciting event."

It was practically a carbon-copy day for Valentin Zavadnikov and tactician Ed Baird aboard DYNAMIQ - SYNERGY SAILING TEAM. A rough start in Race Nine resulted in a dead last finish position, but a nice bounce back in Race Ten kept him to finish the event in second overall.

For Richard Goransson's INGA, he picked up from where he left off yesterday challenging Rombelli at every mark. He remained on track completing the event in third. Japan's Yukihiro Ishida's SIKON finished fourth.

"On the behalf of all Melges Performance Sailboats, congratulations to Alessandro and all the STIG boys because it is never easy to confirm at the summit. They are demonstrating an excellent level of preparation on the Melges 40," says Federico Michetti, President of Melges Europe. "A sincere thanks also goes to all our Melges 40 owners whose energy in creating this Class is rewarded by the level of great competition that we have witnessed on the water. The learning curve on how to make the most of the arsenal made available by the Melges 40 is still on the rise for all teams. Already, we see that the racing is getting tighter, and the smallest details are beginning to make the difference. We look forward to racing the Melges 40 for the first time in Palma de Mallorca."

As always, a very special thanks to our partners who support the Melges 40 Grand Prix - Helly Hansen, North Sails, Garmin Marine, Yacht Moving, Barracuda Communication and most especially to our gracious host, Real Club Nautico de Palma in collaboration with La Marine de Valencia.
The Melges 40s move onward to Palma de Mallorca for the third and final act of 2017 Grand Prix competition on November 15-18.
FULL RESULTS (FINAL - After Ten Races)
1.) Alessandro Rombelli/Francesco Bruni; ITA-4, STIG; 2-1-[3]-1-1-1-1-2-1-1 = 11
2.) Valentin Zavadnikov/Ed Baird; MON-13, DYNAMIQ - SYNERGY SAILING TEAM; 1-2-2-[4]-2-2-4-3-4-2 = 22
3.) Richard Goransson/Cameron Appleton; SWE-42, INGA; [4]-4-4-2-3-3-3-1-2-4 = 26
4.) Yukihiro Ishida/Chris Rast; JPN-40, SIKON; 3-3-1-3-[4]-4-2-4-3-3 = 26

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