Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2022 Event 4 - Day 1

The fourth event of the 2022 Melges 24 European Sailing Series opens with a sparkling day of racing: it was thanks to a fresh and unstable Ora that the fleet completed four races, opening the series organized by Fraglia Vela Riva in a bombastic way.

Former Italian olympian Michele Paoletti, well assisted by another olympian, Giovanna Micol, took the lead of the pack with (Strambapapà, today 1-1-2-3) thanks to some super results, in front which the only ones who have tried to keep up are Peter Karrié's Nefeli (2-4-3-2) and Richard Thompson's Black Seal (5-7-6-1) with the experienced Stefano Cherin, usually onboard as a tactician, at the helm. The two boats are trailing the leader in the overall ranking, with four and twelve points to recover.

White Room GER677 of Michael Tarabochia with Luis Tarabochia steering finishes the Day 1 of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2022 event 4 in Riva del Garda as the best Corinthian team, being eighth in the overall ranking - photo © IM24CA / Zerogradinord

With still five races to sail, and the discard to be counted, everything can still happen, especially for the podium positions: Andrea Racchelli's Altea (3-8-4-8) and Paolo Brescia's Melgina (9-9-1-6), reining champion of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series, are chomp at the bit inside the top five, with some good margin on the leader of the provisional ranking of the series, Marcello Caldonazzo Arvedi's Gilles (14-3-8-9), with Italian sailing rockstar Pietro D'Alì at the helm.

The first in the Corinthian ranking is Michael Tarabochia's White Room (4-11-12-12), that is sited on the eight position, just after the Americans of War Canoe (7-6-10-13), at their seasonal debut in Europe.

Black Seal GBR822 of Richard Thompson with Stefano Cherin steering, took the bullet and is on third position after Day 1 of Day 1 of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2022 event 4 in Riva del Garda, Italy. - photo © IM24CA / Zerogradinord

To complete the provisional podium of the Corinthian division are Sergio Caramel's Arkanoè by Montura (16-13-9-4), eleventh overall, and Ronald Veraar's Team Kesbeke (11-17-5-10).

The event will resume on Saturday with a warning signal set for 1PM: three races are planned, while two will remain to be sailed on Sunday, final day of the fourth event of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series and Act 3 of the Italian Melges 24 Tour.

Arkanoe by Montura ITA809 of Sergio Caramel is the second best Corinthian team at the Day 1 of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2022 event 4 in Riva del Garda, Italy - photo © IM24CA / Zerogradinord

Results after Day 1: (top twelve including Corinthian top 3, 4 races)

1. STRAMBAPAPA ITA689 Michele Paoletti - 1-1-2-3 - 7 pts
2. NEFELI GER673 Peter Karrié - 2-4-3-2 - 11 pts
3. BLACK SEAL GBR694 Richard Thompson with Stefano Cherin helming - 5-7-6-1 - 19 pts
4. ALTEA ITA722 Andrea Racchelli - 3-8-4-8 - 23 pts
5. MELGINA ITA693 Paolo Brescia - 9-9-1-6 - 25 pts
6. GILLES ITA793 Marcello Caldonazzo Arvedi with Pietro D'Ali' helming - 14-3-8-9 - 34 pts
7. WARCANOE USA841 Michael Goldfarb - 7-6-10-13 - 36 pts
8. WHITE ROOM GER677 Michael Tarabochia (Corinthian) - 4-11-12-12 - 39 pts
9. PANJIC CRO739 Luka Šangulin - 6-5-13-17 - 41 pts
10. TAKI 4 ITA778 Marco Zammarchi with Carlo Fracassoli helming - 28UFD-2-7-5 42 pts
11. ARKANOE BY MONTURA ITA809 Sergio Caramel (Corinthian) - 16-13-9-4 42 pts
12. TEAM KESBEKE NED827 Eelco Blok with Ronald Veraar helming (Corinthian) - 11-17-5-10 - 43 pts

Michele Paoletti on Strambapapà, today 1-1-2-3, took the lead of the pack on Day 1 of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2022 event 4 in Riva del Garda, Italy. - photo © IM24CA / Zerogradinord