Melges 32 largest European fleet ever at Lake Garda

by Event media on 18 Apr 2009
The 2009 Audi Melges 32 Sailing Series gets underway on 17 to 19 April on Lake of Garda, Italy with the largest fleet gathering ever in Europe. An impressive twenty-one Melges 32s are ready to go racing for event number one of the 2009 Audi Sailing Series.

This regatta marks a major milestone for the European fleet. All eyes have turned to the beautiful Lake of Garda for the ultimate showdown of speed, consistency and high performance racing.

Three teams from Great Britain have signed up — Stuart Simpson on GBR-84845 Team Barbarians, Peter Rogers on GBR-121 Highlife and last, but certainly not least is Joe Woods on GBR-700 Red.

But, the majority of the fleet is made up of a very strong, and intimidating Italian armada. Reigning Audi Sailing Series Champion Claudio Recchi on ITA-93 Team 93 is back, this time with a new ride and team that includes Jonathan McKee and Melges Europe's Federico Michetti.

Lorenzo Santini and his now famous ITA-1 Uka Uka Racing has embellished his crew with reigning Melges 24 World Champion Lorenzo Bressani as tactician. Luigi Melegari on ITA-181 Matrix made a strong showing in 2008, and for 2009 expects nothing less from his star-studded line-up featuring Olympic medallist Matteo Ivaldi.

New to the Italian fleet is Andrea Cecchetti aboard ITA-752 Bagua with Vasco Vascotto on tactics. Roberto Pardini on ITA-172 Janas joins the fleet with Aniello Stinca as tactician. Gabrielle Benussi will keep ITA-186 Calvi Network's Carlo Alberini in check for success.

Lanfranco Cirillo has outfitted his Melges 32 with 2006 Melges 24 World Champion Nicola Celon as tactician, Dede De Luca and Stefano Rizzi. European Melges 32 Class President Filippo Pacinotti on ITA-667 Brontolo will have Freddy Loof calling tactics.

Also challenging from beyond Italy's border is Tommasso Chieffi, Flavio Grassi and Luca Alberelli on Savino Formentini's MON-1999 Bitipi.

The International Melges 32 Class Association is very appreciative of the support of title sponsor Audi, as well as Melges Performance Sailboats and Melges Europe.