Joe Woods is the Audi Melges 32 European champion

Tense conclusion to the series in Caglari

Joe Woods on Red, with Laser gold medallist Paul Goodison on tactics have won the 2010 Audi Melges 32 European Championship, in Cagliari, Sardinia.

On the final day, in mistral conditions Woods hit the fleet hard resisting fierce attacks from those, who at the end of the Championship accompanied him on the podium. These included Lanfranco Cirillo and tactician Michele Paoletti on Fantastica and Luca Lalli on B.LinSailing.com with Lorenzo Bressani on tactics.

The sixth race held by Yacht Club Cagliari was good for those looking to close gaps in the standings such as American John Kilroy on Samba Pa Ti, which in today’s conditions found himself in the lead at the first windward mark. Cirillo was second around, looking more relaxed than anyone else on the water. Downwind, Kilroy kept a close eye on Cirillo and Lalli both looking for a comeback, but Kilroy took the win, leaving Cirillo second and Lalli third. With Cirillo’s result, he knew that he had at least a second overall finish for the championship. The title was yet to be determined though, to claim the championship Woods had to finish seventh or better.

In the end Red came home fifth and with this result, Woods collected the title. Cirillo also had one of his best regattas yet, with three second place finishes a fourth and a sixth. Lalli finished three points behind in third. Peter Rogers on Highlife, who up until this morning slipped from second overall to fifth, overtaken by Kilroy who moved up to fourth.

Final overall standings Audi Melges 32 European Championship after 6 races with one discard:

1.) Joe Woods/Paul Goodison, Red; 1-6-1-[15]-1.5= 14
2.) Lanfranco Cirillo/Michele Paoletti, Fantastica; 4-2-6-2-[9]-2 = 16
3.) Luca Lalli/Lorenzo Bressani, BLinSailing.com; 3-5-3-3-[10] = 17
4.) John Kilroy/Stu Bannatyne, Samba Pa Ti; 8-[9]-4-1-5-1 = 19
5.) Peter Rogers/Ruaridh Scott, Highlife; 2-1-5-5-[10]-8 = 21
6.) Jean-Francois Cruette/Christian Ponthieu, Teasing Machine; 7-4-9-[12]-9.10 = 39
7.) Mauro Mocchegiani/Matteo Ivaldi, Rush Diletta; 13-[14]-13-8-4-4 = 42
8.) Filippo Pacinotti/Freddy Loof, Brontolo; 13-7-2-[16]-12.12 = 45
9.) Carlo Alberini/Gabriele Benussi, Calvi Network; [14]-3-11-11-14-6 = 46
10.) Ferdinando Battistella/Sandro Montefusco, Cuervo Y Sobrinos; [DSQ]-10-14-10-3-9 = 46