Robertissimo ahead after day one

Strong start for Swiss team at the Melges 32 Gold Cup in Fort Lauderdale

A steady 15-20 knots of breeze and monster seas ushered in the first day of competition at the 2012 Melges 32 Gold Cup, hosted by the Lauderdale Yacht Club in Ft. Lauderdale.

Italy's Roberto Tomasini Grinover's Robertissima 1, with Vasco Vascotto on tactics, holds the overall championship lead after acquiring an impressive daily 2-2-3 scoreline. 11 points behind and in second place is Jason Carroll's Argo with tactician Cameron Appleton. Andrea Pozzi's Bombarda with Lorenzo Bressani as tactician rounding out the top three, one slim point behind Carroll.

Three races were completed with wind speeds not so much an issue as was the sea states. Big waves of 5-7ft and occasional 9 footers across the course made for challenging conditions and great downwind rides.

Race one winner, Joel Ronning on Catapult stunned the competition by taking the lead at the first top mark, then extending for the win. Tomasini Grinover grabbed a close second, while Carroll settled for third.

Lanfranco Cirillo's Fantastica came on strong to win race two, with Tomasini Grinover in second and Joe Woods' Red in third.

The last and final heat of the day seemed to come easy to Tomasini Grinover as he stood steadfast and strong to win. Steve Howe's Warpath finished second and Pozzi came third.

Weather forecasts call for much of the same on Saturday where three more races will be conducted.

Results: