2015 Melges 32 Audi-Tron Sailing Series - Argo Melges 32 in command

by Melges 32 on 11 Jul 2015 2015 Melges 32 Audi-Tron Sailing Series - Three races are complete in Porto Ercole at the 2015 Audi-Tron Sailing Series organized by B.Plan Sport and Events (BPSE) in cooperation with Melges Europe, and atop the leaderboard is reigning World Champion Jason Carroll aboard his Argo Melges 32. Roberto Tomassini Grinover's Robertissima fought with great spirit to finish the day second overall, while Japan's Keisuke Suzuki on Swing sits third.

Opening day in Porto Ercole commenced under black flag conditions for the start of Race One, the product of two consecutive general recalls under a westerly 15 knots of breeze. With a pressured all-clear start, Carroll took immediate charge at the first top mark and lead downwind through the gate chased by Richard Goransson's Inga from Sweden and Suzuki. Carroll extended to get the win. Suzuki earned his best score of the day to come second, followed by Tomasini Grinover in third.

The breeze built for Race Two of the eight-part series heading further right for the start. Russia's Valentin Zavadnikov on Synergy GT got ahead fast to lead Edoardo Lupi and Massimo Pessina's Torpyone, Carroll and Alessandro Rombelli's STIG around the top mark. As the race progressed, Rombelli found a much needed competitive edge to outpace Zavadnikov for the win. Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio's G-SPOT finished third, while Tomasini Grinover came fourth. Carroll was fifth.

For the final race of the day, it was an all out battle between Carroll and Tomasini Grinover. Early on, Tomasini Grinover commanded the fleet, but it was the final downwind run where Carroll was able to get the win. Goransson and Suzuki also powered up to challenge for position winning third and fourth respectively. Andrea Ferrari's Spirit of Nerina closed the out the top five finishes.

The racing continues on Saturday with the start scheduled for early afternoon.

Top Ten Results (After Three Races)

1.) Jason Carroll/Cameron Appleton, Argo; 1-5-1 = 7
2.) Roberto Tomasini Grinover/Vasco Vascotto, Robertissima; 3-4-2 = 9
3.) Keisuke Suzuki/Nicolai Sehested, Swing; 2-8-4 = 14
4.) Edoardo Pavesio/Diogo Cayolla, FRA MARTINA; 5-10-6 = 21
5.) Richard Goransson/Michael Buckley, Inga from Sweden; 4-15-3 = 22
6.) Alessandro Rombelli/Francesco Bruni, STIG; 13-1-9 = 23
7.) Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio/Pietro Sibello, G-SPOT; 9-3-13 = 25
8.) Valentin Zavadnikov/Nick Rogers, Synergy GT; 12-2-12 = 26
9.) Fritz Homann/Nico Celon, Wilma; 14-6-7 = 27
10.) Alec Cutler/Chris Rast, hedgehog; 8-9-11 = 28