Melges 24 European Sailing Series - Ian Ainslie strengthening its leadership at the Balaton Melges 24 Spring Regatta
09 May, 2015 - Balatonfüred, Hungary - With two bullets and one second position Ian Ainslie’s Strange Brew retains its leadership on the second day of the Balaton Melges 24 Spring Regatta which is considered also as the Melges 24 European Sailing Series second event organised by the Balatonfüredi Yacht Club in cooperation with Hungarian Melges 24 Class Association and International Melges 24 Class Association.
Balaton Melges 24 Spring Regatta - photo Gabor Cserta
Lake Balaton continued its tricks while showing a bright sunshine over the lake, but not enough wind in the morning while the racing was supposed to start at 11 a.m. PRO Benedek Fluck kept the fleet ashore with a postponement prolonging it after each hour allowing the teams enjoy the sunshine. After midday while the wind has been strengthening up to 6-7 knots, the Race Committee went to the lake followed by the fleet. The first race of the day was started with the SW wind of 9-11 knots. Sadly it was dying during the race so much that PRO made a decision to abandon it as it was not a fair sailing anymore. After waiting one and a half hours and finding more suitable race course, the clouds were bringing enough wind to start the race again. With 10-14 knots the fleet was getting to the better sailing conditions finishing the race with less than one hour.
Balaton Melges 24 Spring Regatta - Ian Ainslie and Strange Brew - photo Gabor Cserta
Ian Ainslie’s Strange Brew (HUN-392) took the victory from the first race of the day followed by the Miles Quinton’s Gill Race Team (GBR-694) was second and local FGF Sailing Team (HUN-209) with Robert Bakoczy in helm.
As the conditions became much more stable later afternoon and the wind was keeping its direction from NNW, PRO decided to execute two more races in a row seeing a great sailing while the wind was peaking up to 20 knots during the final race which ended around 7.30 pm. Strange Brew strengthened its leadership with another bullet from the 6th race followed by FGF Sailing Team and Gill Race Team as the third. In the final race Strange Brew and Gill Race Team were continuing their Match Race for the victory and Miles Quinton’s Gill Race Team won the battle this time while the local Peter Czegai’s team Jedi Business (HUN-481) crossed the finishing line as third.
Balaton Melges 24 Spring Regatta - Miles Quinton's Gill Race Team - photo Gabor Cserta
After 7 races and one discard Ian Ainslie and Strange Brew are leading with total of 9 points ahead of Miles Quinton’s Gill Race Team who is scoring 13 points and considered as the best Corinthian team. Eight points to Gill Race Team is losing Peter Czegai’s Jedi Business being on the third position before the final day of the event. The second best Corinthian team after the second day is Ukrainian Marusia with Oleg Dyvinets in helm as the fourth in overall and Attila Bujaky’s Hód is the third best Corinthian being 6th in overall ranking.
Balaton Melges 24 Spring Regatta - Peter Czegai and Jedi Business - photo Gabor Cserta
For the final day of the Balaton Melges 24 Spring Regatta a very strong wind has been forecasted, however the racing has been planned to start at 10 am in Balatonfüred.
Photo gallery - Gabor Cserta
