Eight Bells - Gaudenzio Bonini
12 January 2025 - Italy - It is with profound sadness that the International Melges 24 Class Association shares the tragic news of the passing of Enzo Bonini, a passionate sailor and stalwart of our class.
Enzo, a cherished member of Andrea Racchelli’s ALTEA team (ITA) for about 20 years, was an extraordinary sailor who achieved remarkable success. Among his many accolades, he was part of the team that claimed the Melges 24 World Champion title in 2018 (Victoria, CAN) and the European Champion title in 2021 (Portoroz, SLO), along with countless other podium finishes.
Tragically, Enzo lost his life while skiing in the mountains near Lake Como alongside another remarkable sailor, Matteo Auguadro, today. Their adventure was met with a devastating avalanche, taking Enzo and Matteo from us far too soon...
Enzo’s legacy of dedication, talent, and friendship will forever remain a cornerstone of the Melges 24 community. He was more than a teammate; he was an irreplaceable friend and a source of inspiration to us all.
Our deepest sympathies go out to his loved ones, family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. The Melges 24 family mourns his loss....
Fair winds and following seas, Enzo. You will always be in our hearts.
2024 Melges 24 European Runner-Up - Altea ITA722 - Andrea Racchelli, Enzo Bonini, Alberto Verna, Stefano Lagi, Matteo Barison - Split, Croatia
Andrea Racchelli's Altea ITA722
Andrea Racchelli's Altea ITA722 on Day 2 of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2022 event 4 in Riva del Garda, Italy
Andrea Racchelli’s team Altea ITA722 with Gaudenzio Bonini, Fausto Surini, Stefano Lagi and Michele Gregoratto gained one of the most coveted trophies - the Melges 24 European Championship Giorgio Zuccoli Trophy - Melges 24 European Champion 2021
Altea ITA722 of Andrea Racchelli with Gaudenzio Bonini, Fausto Surini, Stefano Lagi and Michele Gregoratto takes the title of the Melges 24 European Championship 2021 in Portoroz, Slovenia
Andrea Racchelli's Altea ITA722 - Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2021 Event 3 - Riva del Garda, Italy
Podium of the 2018 Melges 24 Worlds in Victoria, BC, Canada - Altea ITA722, WTF USA829, Monsoon USA851
Altea ITA735 of Andrea Racchelli - II Overall Melges 24 Worlds 2015 - Middelfart, Denmark
Altea ITA722 of Andrea Racchelli - Melges 24 World Champion 2018 - Victoria, BC, Canada
