The Perfect Regatta - Melges24 Worlds Porto Cervo

by Event media on 13 May 2008
When Melges 24 sailors dream of the perfect regatta venue you can be sure they are visualising crystal clear waters, great surfing waves, hot sunshine, strong breezes, world class race management, a beautiful and welcoming host club and competing against the very best sailors in the world.

That dream will come true in spectacular fashion for more than 100 Melges 24 crews when they gather in Porto Cervo on Sardinia’s legendary Costa Smeralda between 28 May and 6 June to compete for the Volvo Melges 24 World Championship 2008. Hosted by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda this eleventh Melges 24 World Championship looks set to break records for the overall number of competitors, the number of nations represented and the number of Corinthian (all amateur) teams racing.

The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s reputation for hosting some of the biggest and most prestigious sailing events in the World is long established and second to none. Founded in 1967 and located in one of the most beautiful locations in the world, the YCCS looks forward to welcoming the Melges 24 fleet for it’s first world championship to be held in Italian waters.

'The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda is delighted to welcome such a large and international fleet of Melges 24 sailors for what is sure to be a thrilling World Championship.' commented YCCS Commodore Riccardo Bonadeo. 'This is a highly competitive class and the regatta course off Porto Cervo provides varied and challenging conditions: we are looking forward to some spectacular racing in what will be one of the highlights of our 2008 calendar.'

Title sponsor Volvo’s support of the Melges 24 class is already well established through the hugely successful Italian Volvo Cup regatta series featuring regattas throughout Italy. The Melges 24 joined the initially multi-class Volvo Cup circuit in 2004 and for 2008 the Volvo Cup is exclusively focused on the Melges 24 Class. The IMCA is delighted that Volvo is continuing this generous support through the title sponsorship of the Volvo Melges 24 World Championship 2008.

'We are pleased to be supporting the Porto Cervo event', says Michele Crisci, Managing Director, Volvo Auto Italia. 'Volvo has a strong commitment to sports in general and sailing in particular, Volvo Ocean Race being the most prestigious example of that commitment. Furthermore, we are also particularly proud of our support to Melges 24 class, which has already proved to be a sailors' favourite and one of the most interesting competitions in the sailing world.'

As always the fleet will include a host of Olympic and America’s Cup stars along with champions from many other classes. There will also be an exceptionally strong Corinthian division of all amateur crews, who also race head to head against the professional and semi-professional teams at the same time as competing for the Corinthian honours.

Registration will run from Wednesday 28 to Saturday 31 May. There will be Pre-Worlds racing on Thursday May 29 and Friday 30 May, a practice day on Saturday 31 May and Championship racing will take place between Saturday 1 and Friday 6 June. There will be social gatherings each day after racing plus a welcome reception, Volvo crew party and final prize giving party.