Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2021 - It’s tight at the top, but Paolo Brescia’s Melgina takes an early lead in Riva

July 23, 2021 - Riva del Garda, Italy - After starting the season of the European Sailing Series 2021 in Malcesine in June, the second event of the series for the international Melges 24 class is underway in another beautiful spot of Garda Lake, Riva del Garda this weekend, on July 23-25. Fraglia Vela Riva together with the Italian Melges 24 Class Association is hosting eighteen teams from nine countries – Germany, Great Britain, Estonia, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia and Italy, at the event considered also Act 4 of the Italian Melges24Tour. Paolo Brescia’s team on Melgina took an early lead after four races sailed. Taki 4 with Niccolo Bertola at the helm is leading the Corinthian division.

Miles Quinton, the owner of Gill Race Team GBR694 and Vice Chair of the International Melges 24 Class Association was happy being back on the race course after many months. 

“International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA) and the Italian Melges 24 Class Association are delighted to welcome Melges 24 sailors to the European Sailing Series Event 2 and Melges24 Tour Act 4 hosted by Fraglia Vela Riva. It is so great to see so many international sailing friends in person by the beautiful Garda lake in the mountains and look forward to some great sailing!” 

Scoring one bullet and 8-5-5 today, finishing the day on the fourth position, Miles Quinton said that the wind was light for the first race and for the other races Ora was blowing, but not as strong as normal and there were some difficult decisions for all the teams. 

Taking the bullet in the first race and adding second, sixth and fourth result to the total score, Paolo Brescia’s Melgina ITA693 with Simon Sivitz calling the tactics, took an early lead with 13 points after four races sailed. 

“We had a nice racing day even if the wind conditions were a bit tricky! Simon Sivitz found creative tactics solutions and all the Team was never giving up!” was Paolo Brescia happy with his team and the teamwork. 

Peter Karrie’s Nefeli GER673 team from Germany scored 9-1-3-2 today and is two points behind the winner followed by Sergio Caramel’s Arkanoe by Montura ITA809 from Italy, with equal points (2-6-2-5 today). 

On the fifth position we will find the best Corinthian team - Marco Zammarchi’s Taki 4 ITA778 with Niccolo Bertola at the helm. Reigning Corinthian European and World Champion scored also one bullet today and had 3-4-13 in total series.

Second best Corinthian team, sixth in overall results, is Tõnu Tõniste’s Lenny EST790 (10-3-4-8) followed by Akos Csolto’s Seven_Five_Nine HUN759 (4-9-8-7), being seventh in overall.

The racing will continue on Saturday, with a first warning signal scheduled for 1pm. 

1. MELGINA ITA693 of Paolo Brescia 1-2-6-4 13 pts
2. NEFELI GER673 of Peter Karrie 9-1-3-2 15 pts
3. ARKANOE BY MONTURA ITA809 of Sergio Caramèl 2-6-2-5 15 pts
4. GILL RACE TEAM GBR694 of Miles Quinton with Geoff Carveth at the helm 8-5-5-1 19 pts
5. TAKI 4 ITA778 (C) of Marco Zammarchi with Niccolò Bertola helming 3-4-1-13 21 pts
6. LENNY EST790 (C) of Tõnu Tõniste 10-3-4-8 25 pts
7. SEVEN_FIVE_NINE HUN759 (C) of Akos Csolto’s 4-9-8-7 28 pts

Official Notice Board and results
Event website

2021 Melges 24 European Sailing Series will consist of 6 events:

1. June 25-27 – Malcesine, Garda lake, ITA
2. July 23-25 – Riva del Garda, ITA
3. August 20-22 - Riva del Garda, ITA
4. September 4-11 – Portoroz, SLO – Melges 24 Europeans 2021
5. September 24-26 - Attersee, AUT
6. October 1-3 - Trieste, ITA

More information about the event and series available at melges24.com/europeansailingseries