Melges 20 World Championship opens with Illbruck's Pinta in the lead

by International Melges 20 Class Association on 25 Aug 2016 The Melges 20 World Championship officially got underway today hosted by Marina di Scarlino/Club Nautico Scarlino.

The most interesting aspect of Day One is that the initial names are cast for the title of World Champion, and with the first three races on the scoreboard each played with a mistral breeze of 10-14 knots, nothing is ever guaranteed. In fact, it will be a hard fought battle from start to finish with most likely, the champion being determined in the last race, on the last run.

Germany's Michael Illbruck on Pinta joined by tactician John Kostecki, delivered an outstanding first day scoreline - a successful 7-1-1 to lead off the Worlds. His speed was apparent and best demonstrated in the windy conditions, especially downwind.

It was definitely a nervous day for starts resulting in several general recalls. But for second place overall Drew Freides on Pacific Yankee with Morgan Reeser calling tactics, he emerged at the top with a 6-2-5 daily result, four points behind Illbruck.

Achille Onorato aboard Mascalzone Latino, Jr. with Cameron Appleton in the tactician's position, celebrated a prosperous day to land third overall. It was an outstanding day for Poland's Krzysztof Krempec (Tomislav Basic, tactician) on Mag Tiny in fourth.

All eyes were continuously on the look out for the Kilroy family - reigning World Champ John Kilroy on Samba Pa Ti and his son, Liam on Wildman - both clear contenders. The elder Kilroy rounded out the top five positions.

Besides Illbruck setting the pace packing two of the daily bullets, big recognition goes to Russia's Igor Rytov at the helm of Russian Bogatyrs. He set the tone with a big win in Race One.

Other teams, once the nerves wore off seemed to deliver some much more effective racing such as Rob Wilber on Cinghiale who was sitting tenth after Race Two. A beautiful fourth place finish in Race Three moved him up to sixth overall. Guido Miani on Out of Reach broke the early top ten barrier in Race Three with a firm second place finish.

The Corinthian chase is on
In the all-amatuer corner, Mirko Bargolini's Spirit of Nerina leads the 2016 Melges 20 World Championship Corinthian division. Cesar Gomes Neto representing Brazil sailing Portobello sits second, followed by new Melges 20 Class member Emanuele Savoini helming Evinrude to complete the top three Corinthian standings.

Top ten results (After three races)
1.) Michael Illbruck, Pinta; 7-1-1 = 9
2.) Drew Freides, Pacific Yankee; 6-2-5 = 13
3.) Achille Onorato, Mascalzone Latino, Jr.; 4-6-9 = 19
4.) Krzysztof Krempec, Mag Tiny; 12-5-3 = 20
5.) John Kilroy Jr., Samba Pa Ti; 2-11-10 = 23
6.) Rob Wilber, Cinghiale; 9-16-4 = 29
7.) Liam Kilroy, Wildman; 13-4-22 = 39
8.) Richard Davies, Section 16; 16-12-11 = 39
9.) Claudio Dutto, Asante Sana; 10-9-23 = 42
10.) Guido Miani, Out of Reach; 18-23-2 = 43