MARTINEZ WINS SECOND ITALIAN M24 WINTER CHAMPIONSHIP IN ANDORA

The cold wave that hit Italy did not spare the Ligurian Rivera, so the last weekend of the Andora winter championship will be remembered by the extremely cold "tramontana" that tortured both the crews and the sails.

In the first run on saturday, Dodo Gorla takes over Montefusco after a tight duel, and Nicola Celon comes in third, the memory of his victory at the Primo Cup in Montecarlo still fresh. In the second run the wind increases, the boats start surfing, and Martinez wins over Chieffi and Gorla.

On sunday, with the wind blowing from the snow covered Alps, half of the boats run for the crane instead of the water, and only 11 crews show up on the starting line, when the going gets tough only the tough get going! Clear win for Celon, at ease with winds over 20 knots, followed by Andrea Magni and Paolo Semeraro. The wind gets even stronger, and getting back into the marina upwind will be the hardest leg of the day.

Carlina Ubertalli's Firebolt, helmsman Roberto Martinez and crew olympians Negri and Sibello, is the winter champion, with an impressive score of 6 victories over 12 races. Second place for Barni MiniHotel - Dodo Gorla and third for Conte of Florence - Andrea Magni, who gets on the podium thanks to the excellent performance in this last weekend.

This championship confirms the success of the Melges24 class in Italy. Seven boats entered it last year, 25 raced this winter, and it's not just a matter of quantity. If you look at the final standings, it's the quality of the sailors that is striking. Amateurs and olympians are racing side by side, and the amateurs sometimes beat the professionals, because the Melges is a fun and challenging boat that has surprises and rewards for all.

In less than two weeks, we'll be back in action in Alassio, with some news: Corinthian prizes in the 2005 Volvo Cup, as in all the international Melges24 events.