CAGLIARI, Italy (August 28, 2018) - The
2018 Melges 32 World League has officially arrived in Cagliari, a
racing destination that is hailed as one of the very best in the world.
It is the location for the final stage of the 2018 Melges 32 World
League.
This
is the first of a long series of Melges events set to steal the
spotlight in Cagliari. Both the Melges 20 World Championship on October
10-13, and the Melges 32 Worlds on October 17-20 will take place in
Sardinia's capital city.
"Finally,
and with great pleasure our Classes return to Cagliari, a venue that
does not need an introduction and a city with a huge heart that has
welcomed us with great warmth. Never, until now has a location been so
involved with this many consecutive Melges events, and some of the most
important of the 2018 season," said Federico Michetti, president of
Melges Europe. "This organization is very unique and could only be made
possible here in Cagliari. It is where there is a very special
relationship between sailing and the sea, professionalism and enthusiasm
by the organizers of the highest caliber, which together guarantee
success. Cagliari will remain a staple location throughout the 2018/19
winter season, and will host the 2019 Melges 24 World Championship where
we expect over 100 boats."
Over
the next three days, from Thursday, August 30 - Saturday, September 1,
everything will be decided for the 2018 Melges 32 World League regarding
its long standing challenge which began last April in Forio d'Ischia.
The
Cagliari event (organized by Yacht Club Cagliari, Melges Europe and
supported by dell'Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mare di Sardegna, il
Comune di Cagliari e la Regione Sardegna) is being presented as one of
the most spectacular of all time in the history of the Class.
The current 2018 Melges 32 World League Circuit Ranking showcases the Italian teams of Matteo Balestrero sailing GIOGI, and Vincenzo Onorato's MASCALZONE LATINO on
equal terms. For Balestrero, it is his first time to be in contention
to win a major Melges 32 World League title. For Onorato, he is the
leader of the most decorated and legendary of Italian sailing teams.
It's
not possible for the showdown to be only about Balestrero and Onorato,
as lurking close in the large shadows of third place is 2017 Melges 32
World League Circuit Champion Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio aboard G.SPOT whose only goal is to win the trophy and defend his title. Germany's Christian Schwoerer at the helm of LA PERICOLOSA is the next closest in line for what could turn out to be his biggest success yet in the Melges 32 Class.
"Cagliari
and our Yacht Club are very excited to present a series of high-level
international events with great commitment from our entire Organizing
Committee," said Alberto Floris, Yacht Club Cagliari president. "When we
received a request from our friends at Melges more than a year ago, we
responded enthusiastically. We believe that in addition to the sport of
sailing, these events generate a great deal of visibility for our city
that yields high returns, and without hesitation further establishes
Cagliari as a popular world capital of sailing."
Thursday,
August 30 will mark the first day of competition with racing getting
underway at 13.30 local Cagliari time in front of Sant'Elia, visible
from shore.
The
Melges World League is supported by Moby, Tirrenia, Helly Hansen,
Garmin Marine, North Sails, Toremar, Norda, Lavazza, Rigoni di Asiago
and Melges Europe.
Melges
World League has signed and adopts the code of ethics of the Charta
Smerarlda strongly promoting the values of One Ocean Foundation.
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.
TOP FIVE 2018 MELGES 32 WORLD LEAGUE RANKING (After Three Events)
1.) (ITA) Matteo Balestrero/Branko Brcin, GIOGI; 54 pts.
2.) (ITA) Vincenzo Onorato/Paul Goodison, MASCALZONE LATINO; 54 pts
3.) (MON) Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio/Michele Ivaldi; G.SPOT; 51 pts
4.) (GER) Christian Schwoerer/Nick Asher; LA PERICOLOSA; 49 pts
5.) (RUS) Pavel Kuznetsov/Evy Nuegodnikov, TAVATUY; 44 pts
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