AMF Nikita Wins Primo Cup 2006
The record breaking 37 strong fleet of Melges 24s, many of whom are starting their preparations for the Melges 24 Worlds in Hyeres at the end of August, enjoyed an outstanding weekend's racing at the Primo Cup in Monaco. The level of racing was exceptionally high throughout the weekend, with many general recalls and tight mark roundings in a series that was only decided in the last of the regatta's eight races.
The final day brought three more great races and in the first Franco Rossini's Blu Moon, helmed by Chris Rast, took the honours with Benjamin Cohen helming Sogeti second, Sandro Montefusco's Licorno Melsineo third and Andreas Faerber helming AMF Nikita fourth. Overnight leader Paul Maxim and his crew aboard Big Ship were extremely disappointed to score their worst result of the regatta with an eighth.
The second race went to Montefusco with Faerber second and Jean Paul Douchy helming Docteur Gigolo third. John Gimson and his British crew aboard Wild Thing took fourth in this race, Maxim was fifth and Cohen sixth whilst Rast came a disappointing seventh.
It was now all to play for in the final race and the crews kept the spectators on the edges of their seats as they battled it out. On the line it was Montefusco from Cohen with Rast third and Paolo Trevisan from Italy sailing QQ7 INO fourth.
Despite a painful 11th place in the final race Andrea Faerber and his crew of Andrea Casale, Emiliani Romolo and France G Passafiume aboard ITA627 AMF Nikita had done enought to win the Melges 24 Class at the 2006 Primo Cup by just 1 point. Second place overall had to be decided on count back with Franco Rossini's SUI521 Blu Moon, helmed by Chris Rast with crew Serena Cima and Federico Valenti taking second and Sandro Montesfusco aboard ITA481 Liocorno Melsineo with Roberto Benamati, Cesare Bressan and Luciano Lippolis third. Paul Maxime and his FRA389 Big Ship crew had to content themselves with fourth.