Flavini on top again

Mascalzone Latino helm wins second Volvo Cup regatta for the Melges 24 on Lake Garda

The 7th edition of the International Melges Week and second regatta of the 2004 Volvo Cup, took place last weekend in Torbole on Lake Garda.

40 teams from 7 countries competed in the challenging weather conditions, unusual in May, completed nine races with one discard in southerly winds blowing between 12 and 30 knots.

No races were held Thursday due to the heavy rain and no wind, but four races were run on Friday, complete with a squall on the race course in the fourth race and one of the Melges losing its mast. Things got better on Saturday, with the sun shining and a steady 'Ora' breeze and three races were completed. Two further races were held on Sunday.

Blu Moon's helmsman Mascalzone Latino's Flavio Favini the 2001 Melges 24 World Champion, dominated the event winning races four and nine. Racing with Favini were the owner of the boat, Franco Rossini, tactician Tiziano Nava, Serena Cima and Andrea Ballico. So far this season Blu Moon has already won the first Volvo Cup regatta in Alassio, the Primo Cup in Monte Carlo, and taken second place at the Marseille SNIM.

Second was Devotissimo, the home team, sailed by skipper Silvio Santoni, owner Franco Rao, Manuel Giubellin and Alberto Taddei, while third went to two times Mumm 30 World Champion Luca Valerio, racing on Alina with the owner Abbà, Nicolas Dal Ferro and Mereghetti and Daniele Cassinari.

At the regatta the class welcomed Dodo Gorla, a two time Olympian and Star World Champion 20 years ago. Racing on the Melges 24 for the first time, he finished 12th with his Bpr-Barni, winning the last race. Sailing with him his crew from the Asso99 and a young female sailor, Gaia Scotti, two times Italian 420 champion.

Racing was organised by the Circolo Vela Torbole. Nine teams took part from Germany, five from Switzerland, two from Sweden and Austria and one from Monaco and Great Britain.

Next race in Italy will be in Rimini on 4-6 June for the 3rd Volvo Cup Regatta.

Sponsors: Volvo, Conte of Florence, Finanza & Futuro, North Sails, Chivas Regal, Sky Sport, Pago, Cavit, Giò Style, Samsung, Douglas.

To see full results - click here