MID POINT REPORT FROM TORBOLE

From the Italian Class - Two days of racing and five races held so far in the 8th Melges Week, Volvo Cup IV 2005 in Torbole. 54 boats from Italy, Germany, France, Monaco, Austria, Netherlands and Ukraine, competing in the chilly waters of the nothern Garda lake, with sun and medium to strong winds.

On thursday the fleet had to wait a little longer than usual for the southern breeze, the Ora, which usually starts blowing right after noon, to win over the northern wind that had been blowing night and day for the past 48 hours. Two races that day, and some confusing results: Alina wins the first race but finishes 21 st in the second one, Devotissimo scores a 5 and a 14, Golf Club Paradiso a 20 and then 4. AleAli and Dream Team seem less confused, scoring respectively a 3rd-1st and 4th-2nd. Altea is backon track as well, scoring 7 and 3, while a young crew coming from the J24 fleet, last year's European champions, finally hit a very good second overall in the first race.

On friday the day is warmer, the breeze comes in early and steady, and we raced 3 races, coming back to the docks after 6 pm. It was definitely "Alina day". Scoring a second and two first places, they are now leading by eight points, with AleAli and Dream Team with even scoring, and runner ups Altea and Devotissimo, winning the first race of the day with a huge advantage. But it was a very good day for Roberto Beneamati as well, scoring 3,2,7 and finally getting closer to where everybody expects him to be. It's not just italians racing, and the french team Euro-Voiles is now in 9th place, right before the german No woman No cry team. Among the Corinthians, Eta Beta Sailing team is leading, and we are proud to see how 19 crews in this division.

We will continue tomorrow (saturday), and then some early morning racing on sunday.