Melges 32 Sailing Series - Action underway in Napoli

by Joy Dunigan on 21 Oct 2012 The first day of the Audi Melges 32 Sailing Series got underway following a postponement of two hours to give the breeze the opportunity to lie down on the Gulf of Napoli. The day came to a close at dusk with a total of three valid heats. All three races were sailed with a light westerly wind that reached a maximum of 6-7 knots. The difficult conditions pushed the flair of tacticians, testing their skill and technique, driving them to carefully read the sea between Castel dell'Ovo and Posillipo.

Particularly successful was the effort of Edoardo Pavesio helming Audi F.lli Giacomel Fra Martina who continued along his winning path outlined in Malcesine. Alongside of Pavesio was tactician Gabriele Benussi and mainsail trimmer Riccardo Simoneschi, gouging out satisfaction and success.

With two first places and a seventh, Pavesio is aiming to conquer a place on the podium of the circuit. Russian owner Valentin Zavadnikov with Morgan Reeser aboard Synergy GT is second overall, despite it being his second appearance in the fleet. Series defending Champ Lanfranco Cirillo on Fantastica is third. Current Series leader Vincenzo Onorato on Mascalzone Latino is seated fourth.

Warning signal for the first race tomorrow is scheduled again for noon and the weather forecast predict conditions similar to today.

The format of the final leg of the Melges 32 Audi Sailing Series will be the same as before. A maximum of eight races will be sailed (with the limit set at no more than three heats per day) and a discard will go into effect after six races.

Top Five Results (After Three Races):

1.) Edoardo Pavesio/Gabriele Benussi, Audi F.lli Giacomel - FRA Martina; 1-1-7 = 9
2.) Valentin Zavadnikov/Morgan Reeser, Synergy GT; 2-2-6 = 10
3.) Lanfranco Cirillo/Michele Paoletti, Fantastica; 5-3-2 = 10
4.) Vincenzo Onorato/Nathan Wilmot, Mascalzone Latino; 4-6-1 = 11
5.) Roberto Tomasini Grinover/Vasco Vascotto, Robertissima; 8-4-3 = 15

2012 Audi Melges 32 Sailing Series Top Three Results (After four events, three races):

1.) Vincenzo Onorato, Mascalzone Latino = 161 pts
2.) Lanfranco Cirillo, Fantastica = 185 pts
3.) Mauro Mocchegiani, Rush Diletta = 214 View full Melges 32 website