Blu Moon in the ascent

Magic Marine Melges 24 Europeans underway

The Magic Marine Melges 24 European Championship, organised by the Royal Yacht Club Hollandia in collaboration with the International Melges 24 Class Association, started with Blu Moon dominating, today with a 9-2-1 scoreline.

In Medemblik, where, as forecast, the wind was blowing from the WNW at 15-19 knots, the Blu Moon crew of the former Melges 24 World Champion, Flavio Favini, with tactician Gabriele Benussi, was among the few to close the day without ever leaving the top ten and found itself leading the overall results with a one point margin over Italian Champions Giogi (4-1-8), which appeared competitive and fully in phase with the wind shifts.

Driven by Matteo Balestrero with Nicola Celon as tactician, Giogi leads Riccardo Simoneschi's Audi Ultra (4-1-15), winner of the first race, by seven points. Simoneschi, the leader of the Audi Melges 24 European Sailing Series is third, level on points with Estonia's Lenny (6-9-5), favoured to win the Corinthian title thanks to the experience of helmsman Tonu Toniste, who wsa twice on the Olympic podium in the 470 class during the early 1980s.

Three points behind Audi Ultra and Lenny sits Dutchman John Den Engelsman's Mr. Henri (8-4-11), trailed by three time Corinthian World Champion Peder Jahre, who is now sailing among professional sailors with his Storm Capital Sail Racing (7-17-2).

The Magic Marine Melges 24 European Championship resumes tomorrow morning with the first warning signal scheduled for 10.30. The hope is to complete another three races: the day promises to be characterised by weather conditions which, especially during the afternoon, should be perfect fought competitive racing. From Tuesday, the wind is expected to drop significantly and become shifty.

Before they return to the race course again, the crews will spend the evening at the Bar Brakeboer, famous among sailors who frequent Medemblik International Sailing Center.

Full results here