Is This The Best One Design Keelboat Team On The Planet? - Asks Justin Chisholm On www.offshorerules.com

Lorenzo Santini’s highly talented Italian crew aboard UKA UKA Racing, have just made Melges 24 history by becoming the first team to hold the World and European Championship titles concurrently. Already reigning World Champions after their comprehensive win in Porto Cervo in 2008, last week in the French town of Hyeres they also scooped 2009 European Championship crown with an impressive performance which saw them win four of the ten race series. A remarkable achievement in a high quality eighty-six-boat fleet peppered with AC veterans, World Champions and Olympic sailors.

Three year ago in a bar Torbole, Melges Europe boss Federico Michetti told Justin Chisholm that he was in the process of assembling a ‘dream team’ for an assault on the International Melges 24 regatta circuit.......  To read Justin's fascinating article in full please visit www.offshorerules.com