2017 Melges 24 Worlds: In the First Day of Helsinki Two Races and Four Winners

July 31, 2017 - Helsinki, Finland - A cloudy afternoon, characterized by light and shifty breeze, accompanied the first day of racing of the Melges 24 fleet in Helsinki, from today officially involved in the 2017 Melges 24 World Championship organized by the International Melges 24 Class Association together with the Finnish Melges 24 Class Association and hosted by the Helsingfors Segelklubb. Fifty-nine boats from fifteen nations will compete, until Friday, August 4th, to determine who is going to be the next Melges 24 World Champion, after the Conor Clarkes' Embarr from Ireland that won the title in Miami in 2016. 

The first day video highlights of the 2017 Melges 24 World Championship in Helsinki - video edited by Zerogradinord / Mauro Melandri & Silvia Gallegati 

Despite the light wind conditions, the Race Committee presided by PRO Madis Ausman managed to make the fleet complete two races. The challenge immediately begun: the first victory of the series went to the Italian entry Altea (1-22 today) by Andrea Racchelli, second in the Worlds of Middlefart and winner of the 2016 Melges 24 European Sailing Series. The Italian boat, though, because of a 22nd place obtained in race number two, couldn't maintain the leadership of the provisional ranking, slipping in sixth place overall after the first two races of the series.

The first victory of the series went to the Italian entry Altea by Andrea Racchelli - photo (c) Pierrick Contin

Bruce Ayres' Monsoon USA851 the leader after the first day of the Melges 24 Worlds 2017 in Helsinki - photo (c) Pierrick Contin 

The bullet from the race number two was scored by Monsoon (6-1), helmed by Bruce Ayres with Mike Buckley calling the tactics: the American entry revealed itself as the most consistent boat of the fleet today, obtaining the leadership of the provisional ranking, where it is followed by Gian Luca Perego's Maidollis (5-10): the Italian entry boasts on board the presence of the renowned couple that already won the Melges 24 Worlds in 2012 with Enrico Fonda calling tactics and Carlo Fracassoli helming.

Luca Perego's Maidollis ITA854 with Carlo Fracassoli in helm and Enrico Fonda calling the tactics are on the second position after two races in Helsinki - photo (c) Pierrick Contin 

Ukrainian Vasyl Gureyev's Barmaley takes the provisional lead also in the Corinthian division - photo (c) Pierrick Contin

Third place in the overall ranking goes to Ukrainian Vasyl Gureyev's Barmaley (9-9 overall/3-3 Corinthian) that, thanks to the consistent placements of today, takes the provisional lead also in the Corinthian division. The top-three of the category reserved to non-professional sailors is completed by the reigning World Champions aboard Marco Zammarchi's Taki 4 with Niccolò Bertola in helm (11-13/4-5) and Dutch Team Kesbeke/Sika/Gill with Ronald Veraar helming (7-17/1-9).

Marco Zammarchi's Taki 4 with Niccolò Bertola in helm - photo (c) Pierrick Contin 

Dutch Team Kesbeke/Sika/Gill with Ronald Veraar helming  - photo (c) Pierrick Contin

Fulll results of the open division 

The results of the Corinthian division

Day 1 photos by Pierrick Contin 

Tomorrow, second day of racing in the waters of Helsinki, the Race Committee will call the fleet on the race course for a first start at 11:00 am. Weather forecasts expect sunnier and windier windy conditions than those we had today.

Event Press Officers - Mauro Melandri and Silvia Gallegati - Zerogradinord   
Event photographer - Pierrick Contin, pierrickcontin.fr 
Event Media Coordinator - Piret Salmistu, IM24CA 

Schedule of the events: 
Friday 28th to Sunday 30th of July - Registration & Measurement
Sunday 30th of  July - Registration & Measurement, Practice Race, Opening Ceremony
Monday 31st of July to Friday 4th of August - Racing at the 2017 Melges 24 Worlds  
Friday 4th of August - Racing + Closing Ceremony

Melges 24 World Chmapionship 2017 is supported by: FinnLines, Tallink, Vana Tallinn, LifeProof, Dermoshop, Melges Europe/ Helly Hansen, Estonian Melges 24 Class Association, Holiday Inn.

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