With no major developments from last night's protests, Luca Santella and Giovanni Maspero's Joe Fly Team now have an unassailable lead going into today's final race at the Jacob's Creeek Melges 24 European Championship in Helsinki.
A jubilant Luca Santella with his Joe Fly Team of owner Giovanni Maspero, tactician Morgan Larsen, trimmer Federico Michetti and bow Camilla Bert confirmed they are worthy winners of the 2003 Melges 24 European Title taking a second place in the final race of the championship in Helsinki today.
A day of excitement and upsets today at the Jacob's Creek Melges 24 European Championship in Helsinki where two further races were completed on another day of perfect sailing conditions with 15-20 knots from the NW and glorious sunshine.
The forecast gale never materialised today at the Jacob's Creek Melges 24 European Championship in Helsinki and instead the crews completed two further races in near perfect conditions of glorious sunshine with an offshore NW to N breeze, which varied from 14 to 20 knots, over a moderate chop.
Last night's Jacob's Creek Melges 24 European Championship gala party was a huge success - unless you were one of the unlucky people who found themselves being thrown into the night club's swimming pool fully dressed.
Races four and five were completed today at the Jacob's Creek Melges 24 European Championship in Helsinki with Italy's Luca Santella, helming "Joe Fly" for Giovanni Maspero, taking the honours in both races.With thunder storms rumbling around the course the crews had to contend with constant changes
The boat builders and sailmakers of Helsinki burnt the midnight oil last night to ensure that all boats in the Jacob's Creek Melges 24 European Championship would be ready to race again this morning.
The opening day of the Jacob's Creek Melges 24 European Championship in Helsinki was an absolute corker. The wind varied from 15 to 20 knots, swinging from SE to SW as the day worn on with a moderate chop and partially sunny conditions.
Registration is now completed and the fifty six Melges 24 crews are set to commence battle for the 2003 Jacob's Creek Melges 24 European Champion title tomorrow morning.
As you may be aware the problem of supply of Melges 24 masts has been the subject of some discussion in recent months. At present the IMCA World Council is still awaiting clarification from the builders of the exact position regarding availability of masts from the existing manufacturer.
