Volvo Cup Alassio - Day One Round Up

The 2009 Italian Volvo Cup Series got under way in great style yesterday in Alassio as 47 Melges 24s came to the line for a great day of racing in a shifty 15-30 knots of wind from the North/North East.  The day got off to a chilly start with snow as the competitors left the dock and air temperatures down to around 5 degrees C but the snow cleared as racing started and the race committed was able to complete two races in classic Melges 24 sailing conditions.

Riccardo Simmoneschi was the man of the day with fellow Italian and former Melges 24 World Champion Nicola Celon hard on his heels just one point beind after two races.  France’s Denis Infant with helm Christophe Barrue is lying third with Switzerland’s Franco Rossini and helm Flavio Favini in fourth.   Tomorrow 2-3 races are scheduled with the first start planned for noon. 

Commenting after sailing Riccardo Simmoneschi said - “today we had a very windy day in Alassio for the first stop of the Volvo Cup.  Super great sailing - the Melges 24 is too much fun!

Provisional Top Ten After Day 1

1.  ITA783 - Riccardo Simmoneschi - 3 points
2. ITA765 - Nicola Celon - 4 points
3. FRA639 - Christophe Barrue/Denis Infant - 8 points
4. SUI782 - Flavio Favini/Franco Rossini - 10 points
5. ITA727 - Volzen - 13 points
6. FRA389 - Maxim Paul - 14 points
7. ITA722 - Luca Valerio - 16 points
8. SUI599 - Jean Paul Monnard - 19 points
9. FRA470 - Dreano - 21 points
10. ITA730 - Bursic - 22 points