Synergy ahead

Audi Melges 32 Sailing Series sets sail in Gaeta

On the first regatta day of the 2013 Audi Melges 32 Sailing Series, Valentin Zavadnikov's Team Synergy with tactician Tommaso Chieffi has taken the overall lead with a 1-3 scoreline for the day.

Two races have been completed in Gaeta, where light wind gave way to very difficult conditions, putting some of the worlds greatest tacticians to the test.

Despite this Team Synergy simply outpaced American Deneen Demourkas on Groovederci with Mark Mendleblatt on tactics, now seated second overall, followed by Edoardo Lupi on Torpyone in third on which Branko Brcin is calling the shots.

Further back on the leaderboard, the race for points is tight and any outcome is possible. Fourth place finisher Edoardo Pavesio on FRA Martina is tied with Lupi in third point wise. Andrea Pozzi's Bombarda, Vincenzo Onorato's Mascalzone Latino and Japan's Naofumi Kamei on Mamma Aiuto! sit fifth, sixth and seventh respectively tied on 13 points each.

The forecast for Saturday is encouraging where mild temperatures expected. The Race Committee will aim to complete three races in keeping with the original schedule.

Full results here

More photos from Carlo Borlenghi/www.studioborlenghi.com