Melges 32 World League ready to sail fast in Riva Del Garda

by Melges 32 on 1 Jun 2017 The Melges World League (MWL) racing season for the Melges 32 and Melges 20 fleets is in full swing, and the month of June will be by far, the most intense and challenging for all the teams in these incredible One Design fleets.

The Melges 32s will usher in its third MWL event this coming weekend in Riva Del Garda (June 2-4) organized by Fraglia Vela Riva. Lake Garda, well-known for its ideal racing conditions - in particular - its 'wind factory', will give way to classic competition as it is the last standard regatta and a full-on warm-up to the European Championship in Sibenik, Croatia on July 20-22, and the World Championship in Cala Galera, Italy on August 22-26.

In virtual pole position is Matteo Balestrero's GIOGI. He has so far, conquered Porto Venere and Scarlino, now Riva Del Garda is in his sights. It was on this very same playing field in 2016, that Balestrero was perceived as the 'underdog' as it was his official Melges 32 debut.

Among his toughest opponents are reigning Melges 32 European Champion Vincenzo Onorato's Mascalzone Latino, and overall 2016 Circuit Champion Richard Goransson on Inga from Sweden. It will be his first appearance on the 2017 MWL stage.

Another rock solid and very confident team is Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio's G-SPOT Melges 32 from Monaco. Currently seated second overall on the Melges 32 World League Ranking (After two events), he will certainly be on point and prepared to win.

Pavel Kuznetsov's TAVATUY has also proven to be a formidable competitor in 2017, as has Andrea Lacorte's VITAMINA AMERIKANA. Lacorte currently entertains the third overall position on the MWL ranking, but aims to collect more wins through consistent performances.

Riva Del Garda is poised to kick off three consecutive weekends of Melges racing - post the Melges 32s this weekend, the Melges 20s will race for the first time ever in Zadar, Croatia on June 9-11. On June 14-17, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo, Italy will officially commence the Melges 40 Grand Prix racing season.

The Melges 32 World League European Division is supported by Helly Hansen, Garmin Marine Italia, Toremar, Lavazza and Barracuda Communication.

Entry List

1.) Martin Reintjies/Federica Salva, CAIPIRINHA (Corinthian)
2.) Ahmet Eker/Andrea Rachelli, EKER
3.) Edoardo Pavesio/Manuel Weiller Vidal, FRA MARTINA
4.) Matteo Balestrero/Daniele Cassinari, GIOGI
5.) Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio/Branko Brcin, G-SPOT
6.) Kilian Holzapfel/Jakob Meggendorfera, JUNIOR HOMANIT (Corinthian)
7.) Richard Goransson, Vasco Vascotto, INGA
8.) Christian Schwoerer/Jesper Radich, LA PERICOLOSA
9.) Vincenzo Onorato/Cameron Appleton, MASCALZONE LATINO
10.) Lasse Petterson/Michele Paoletti, PIPPA
11.) Jens Khune/Frank Weigelt, SJAMBOK
12.) Pavel Kuznetsov/Evgeny Neugodnikov, TAVATUY
13.) Edoardo Lupi-Massimo Pessina/Lorenzo Bressani, TORPYONE
14.) Francesco Graziani/Andrea Fornaro, VITAMINA (Corinthian)
15.) Andrea Lacorte/Gabriele Benussi, VITAMINA AMERIKANA
16.) Fritz Homann, WILMA

Top Five Results (2017 Melges 32 World League, Two Events Complete)

1.) Matteo Balestrero, GIOGI = 40 pts.
2.) Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio, G-SPOT = 36 pts.
3.) Andrea Lacorte, VITAMINA AMERIKANA = 33 pts.
4.) Pavel Kuznetsov, TAVATUY; 30 pts.
5.) Edoardo Pavesio, FRA MARTINA = 28 pts.