GABRIO ZANDONA LEADS WORLD RANKING
With just three more events to go the Italians are heading up the World Ranking with Gabrio Zandona, helming Joe Fly for Giovanni Maspero, leading on 392 points with Andrea Racchelli in second on 383 points. Tied in third place are Ireland’s Mark Mansfield, helming Team Gill for Quentin Strauss, and Britain’s John Pollard on 377 points apiece. Hard on their heels are Americans Argyle Campbell, in fifth place with 374 points, and Eric Nerlinger, in sixth on 373.
In the North American Ranking Brian Porter (294 points) leads Jeff Ecklund by just one point. Third place is again tied between John Bertrand and Bruce Ayres on 290 points with Argyle Campbell fifth on 285 points. There is also a tie for sixth place between Mike Dow and Marc Hollerbach who are both on 277 points.
Gabrio Zandona also leads the European Ranking, this time by just two points from France’s Nicola Celon on 293 points. Andrea Racchelli is currently lying in third on 290 points with Mark Mansfield fourth (285 points), Italy’s Roberto Martines fifth (281 points) and Gianni Giordo sixth (280 points).
There are three events still to sail in the 2005 Rankings starting with the Novembre a Hyeres regatta which runs from 29 October to 1 November and concludes the European Ranking. This is followed by the Carloan.com US Atlantic Coast Championship being held in association with the King’s Day Regatta in Jacksonville, Florida from 18-20 November. The Rankings conclude at the Corum Melges 24 World Championship at Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo, Florida from 11-16 December.