Norwegian Alfa Romeo Cup 3 – Excellent Turnout In Perfect Conditions
On the 2nd July 33 boats from as far afield as Finland, Sweden, Germany and the East and West coasts of Norway met at Hankø in South Eastern Norway for round 3 of the Alfa Romeo Cup. The competitive level was very high, with Olympic dingy and keelboat medalists, World Champions in many other classes, one former Bronze medalist of the Melges Europeans, as well as many of Norway's best one design sailors in attendance.
There was a very intense fight for the podium and top ten positions, a lot of points were shared and the result list was turned around several times before the final day's racing concluded on Sunday. Norwegian boats filled 9 out of 10 of the leading positions - and the level has increased significantly over the last few years. The experience gained by all will be good preparation for the upcoming Europeans in Hyere and the biggest Norwegian Open National Championships on record due in September this year where over 40 boats have indicated their interest in attending.
The weather was close to perfect, with bikini and shorts sailing for the first 3 days and a hard wind day to finish off the 10 completed races. The social schedule included a famous Cocktail party by the fjord and a mid week regatta dinner at Hankø yacht club, all with turnouts above 140 persons. The mid week prize of an Alfa Romeo, was presenet to the leading boat at the mid point of the regatta and was won by Wolfpack Racing Team (nr 2 Corinthian in the Worlds 2008) helmed by Ger Dahl Andersen.
Storm Capital Racing Team helmed by Peder Jahre (best Corinthian 2008 and several top 10 finishes at the Volvo Cup) were the overall regatta winners who showed consistency throughout the week, followed by Musto with Hermann Horn Johannessen (bronze medal 2000 Olympics and Melges Europeans) at the helm. In third place was a new team skippered by the Norwegian 49er Olympic pairing of Christoffer Sundby and Frode Bovin. There is a clear proof of 49er sailors doing very well in the Melges 24.
We all now look forward to the next Alfa Romeo Cup, round 4, in Haugesund with lots of top boats and professional coaches already signed up This is then followed by the Alfa Romeo Cup round 5 which incorporates the Norwegian Open National Championships in Åsgardstrand with an expected turnout above 40 boats.
More details about the Alfa Romeo Cup and the Norwegian class can be found on our website: www.melges.no