Blu Moon Victorious In Scarlino
The final day of the Melges 24 Volvo Cup in Scarlino brought a complete change of conditions on the Gulf of Follonica with strong offshore winds of 30+ knots, big seas and one final and utterly spectacular race - the sixth of the series. For the 63 competitors it was a case of survival of the fittest, with a number of broken masts and gear failures as well as some of the most exciting Melges 24 sailing in recent years.
Flavio Favini and his hugely experienced team aboard Franco Rossini's Blu Moon proved once again that they deserve their reputation as one of the best Melges 24 crews in the World by putting in a bravura performance despite the rapidly increasing wind strength and challenging seas. They led the race at the first mark and held onto that lead throughout, although even they struggled at times, putting in a quick but rapidly re-controlled broach at the top of the second run before storming off downwind in a ball of spray to the finish and overall victory.
The indomitable and ever consistent UKA UKA Racing team of Lorenzo Santini with Lorenzo Bressani at the helm was also revelling in the strong winds and their fourth place was sufficient to ensure they retained their overnight grip on second overall.
Also showing outstanding control and boat handling were Alberto Bolzan and his crew aboard Paolo Testolin's Hurricane/Murphy & Nye, who crossed the line in second place and moved up in the overall standings from fifth to third, just beating Estonia's Tonu Toniste aboard EST790 Lenny who came sixth in the race to tie on overall points with Bolzan who only claimed the final podium position on countback.
Switzerland's Jean-Marc Monnard aboard Poizon Rouge, who had gone into the day tied for third place with Toniste, also sailed admirably but his tenth place in race six meant he dropped down into fifth overall.
Our thanks to the Club Nautico Scarlino, the Italian Melges 24 Fleet and of course to Volvo Cars Italy for another spectacular Volvo Cup event. The next regatta in the series takes place from 6-9 May in Alghero, Sardinia and incorporates the 2010 Melges 24 Italian Championship. Further details are available from www.melges24.it.
Check out the great video footage of Race 6 on the Media-Vip Youtube site and Pierrick Contin's spectacular photos.