2013 Audi Melges 20 Sailing Series at Portoferraio - Overall
by International Audi Melges 20 Class Association 10 Jun 2013 09:39 NZST
8-9 June 2013
After five races, Alessandro Rombelli aboard STIG with 2012 Melges 32 World Champion tactician Paul Goodison and fellow Gold Cup Champion crew member Giorgio Tortarolo has won the Portoferraio edition of the 2013 Audi Melges 20 Sailing Series. Giancarlo Capolino on Legionario had a smashing good regatta to finish second overall. Guido Miani on Out of Reach is third.
The second day of racing in Portoferraio commenced with a short postponement due to shifty breeze. Eventually the wind filled in to a sailable 15 knots under overcast skies for the start for Race Three. Marco Francini on Mezza Luna, Andrea Pozzi on Shimmer and Rombelli lead the fleet single file around the top mark. The fleet surfed downwind while the three fought fiercely with Rombelli proving to be too much to hold off for Francini and Pozzi. Rombelli ultimately grabbed the win, placing him in the overall event lead. Capolino pulled up to overtake and place second. Pozzi settled for third.
Race Four delivered more success for Rombelli as he took an immediate lead for the win. Renato Vallivero's Audi Ultra Giacomel finished second and Francini stayed strong to place third.
With Race Five in play, heavy rain settled in for the start with Marco Zaoli on Shadow rounding the top mark in first, then Francini and Pozzi respectively in second and third. Overnight leader Miani hit the mark trying for fourth and Rombelli in fifth. Zaoli stayed strong to pass through the gate holding on for the lead, leaving Pozzi and Rombelli to battle for second and third. Francini found some nice upwind speed to overtake for the lead at the final mark with Rombelli on his heels. Zaoli slipped back to third. Capolino pulled out all the stops in the final run to the finish taking a grand win at the line just ahead of Achille Onorato on Mascalzone Latino Jr., Zaoli placed third.
Post Portoferrio, Miani maintains his Series leadership, with Onorato now in second. Rombelli moves up to third, and Francesco Farnetti on ITA-157 now in fourth. Mirko de Falco on Peccere is fifth.
The 2013 Audi Melges 20 Sailing Series is organized by B-Plan Sport&Events in full collaboration with the International Audi Melges 20 Class Association and Melges Europe. A maximum of six races are scheduled over the next two days.
The remaining Series events are Torbole (6-7 July) and Porto Rotondo (29 August - 1 September) where the very first Audi Melges 20 European Championship will take place.