2016 Melges 24 European Sailing Series - Overall report

by Melges 24 on 16 Oct 2016 Andrea Racchelli's Altea from Italy in overall ranking and Miles Quinton's Gill Race Team from Great Britain in Corinthian (professionals not allowed) division celebrated their victory of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2016 in Luino on October 9, where during the Lino Favini Cup - the final event of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series - took place.

Silver medals in overall and Corinthian divisions went respectively to Gill Race Team and Michael Tarabochia's White Room (GER) and the podiums were filled by David Rowen's Imagine (GBR) in overall and Oleg Dyvinets' Marusia in Corinthian ranking. Third prize in overall ranking was not given in Luino subject to some clarification in the points for the series which has been resolved now.

Six regattas in five countries throughout the Europe were held to complete the 2016 Melges 24 European Sailing Series: the season opener in Portoroz, Slovenia in April; second event at Attersee, Austria in June; third event during world-famous Kiel Week, Germany in June; fourth event on a popular Garda Lake, Italy in July; Marinepool European Championship in Hyeres, France as the fourth event in September; and the sixth event on Lake Maggiore, Luino, Italy in October.

A total of 88 teams from 19 nations took part in the series presented for the first time in 2013. Melges 24 European Sailing Series introduces also Corinthian (Pro-Am) ranking as it is usual in all the events of the Melges 24 Class and 64 participating Corinthian teams are showing the core and strength of this class. Forty eight races of the six events with eight discards were considered for the scoring of the ranking.

Five teams has been travelling through the Europe to all six regattas: Miles Quinton's Gill Race Team (GBR), David Rowen's Imagine (GBR), Michael Tarabochia's White Room (GER), Oleg Dyvinets' Marusia (UKR) and Jörg Hotz' Andele (SUI). Tens of thousands of kilometres were driven by the teams travelling from one event to another.

The series has seen three overall winners of the events: Christopher Rast's EFG (SUI) with Flavio Favini helming in Portoroz and EFG becoming European champion in Hyeres; Niccolò Bertola-Giacomo Fossati's tandem on Taki 4 (ITA) in Austria; Andrea Pozzi's Bombarda (ITA) at Kiel Week.

In Corinthian division the highest ranks throughout the season were gained by four teams: Eelco Blok's Kesbeke/Sika/Gill (NED) with Ronald Veraar helming in Portoroz; by Michael Good's Cinghi-Aile (SUI) in Austria; Miles Quinton's Gill Race Team (GBR) with Geoff Carveth in helm in Kiel, Riva del Garda and in Hyeres with European title; Niccolò Bertola-Giacomo Fossati's tandem on Taki 4 (ITA) in Luino.

The podium of the overall division with all crew through the season:

1. Altea ITA-735 - club CVCI - 201 points (10th 2015) - Andrea Racchelli, Gaudenzio Bonini, Michele Gregoratto, Giorgio De Mari, Alberto Verna, Filippo Togni, Anne-Soizik Bertin, Andrea Serpi, Matteo Ramian, Fabian Gielen, Ernesto Brianza, Michele Azzoni, Riccardo Degli Innocenti, Marco Perillo

2. Gill Race Team GBR-694 - club RORC - 243 points (overall winner 2015) - Miles Quinton, Geoff Carveth, Nigel Young, Adam Brushett, Susan Antonelli, Catherine Alton, Andrew McLelland, Roger Gilbert, Craig Burlton, Sarah Martin, Toby Litton, Christopher Fisher, Joshua Wilce

3. Imagine GBR-557 - club RORC/NRV - 342 points (8th 2015) - David Rowen, Jamie Lea, Michael Claxton, Paul Dantes, Jim Schwerdt, Rachel Williamson, Alva Madermott, Sebastian Raphael, Josie Gliddon, Sebastian Ropohl, Paul Ropohl, Anna Seidl

The podium of the Corinthian division with all crew through the season:

1. Gill Race Team GBR-694 - club RORC - 142 points - Miles Quinton Geoff Carveth, Adam Brushett, Susan Antonelli, Catherine Alton, Andrew McLelland, Roger Gilbert, Craig Burlton, Sarah Martin, Toby Litton, Christopher Fisher, Joshua Wilce

2. White Room GER-677 - club DTYC - 180 points (5th Corinthian 2015) - Michael Tarabochia, Luis Tarabochia, Marco Tarabochia, Sebastian Bühler, Maximilian Weiß, Felix Röder, Anna Seidl, Laura Fischer, Dominik Müller

3. Marusia UKR-819 - Ukrainian Sailing Federation - 471 points (Corinthian winner 2015) - Oleg Dyvinets, Nikita Dyvinets, Vadym Zinnatullin, Alexey Akynshyn

Jens Wathne, Chairman of the International Melges 24 Class Association:

'It is amazing to see so many seasoned and also new faces to race for glory in the ranking. Some have been in the class for over twenty years and other teams are new this year.

I want to thank the hosts of all the ranking events and compliment them for a job well done. Melges 24 sailors around Europe have joined intense sailing in different venues across Europe. Fierce battles for podium places and friendly social profile after racing is key ingredients of our class.

Congratulations to the teams on the podium and all that participated this year. See you again next year!'