Mistral in Porto Rotundo

Mistral blights proceedings at the opening day of the Melges 32 Worlds in Porto Rotundo

The opening day of the 2013 Melges 32 World Championship was sadly blighted with conditions much stronger than anticipated, the Mistral being winds clocked at almost 80 knots.

The waters just outside Porto Rotondo harbour were white water and big spray.

On Tuesday morning, following yet another amazing Robertissima party last night in honour of Roberto Tomasini Grinover, competing owners and board members of the IM32CA gathered at Yacht Club Porto Rotondo (YCPR) for the 2013 Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Class President Hank Stuart along with North American Board Member Jason Carroll (Argo), Class Vice President Richard Goransson (Helly Hansen Inga From Sweden), International Administrator Joy Dunigan, European Fleet Secretary Luisa Bambozzi, and International Class Measurer Egidio Babbi presented the year in review, progress and advance.

Immediately following, a beautiful and very elegant luncheon was sponsored by new Melges 32 owner Alessandro Rombelli aboard Azimut by STIG. The almost two hour mid-day affair was enjoyed by owners and their tacticians alike.

Despite the fact that most teams stayed ashore, destruction was inevitable as the building velocity of the breeze prompted the onsite Audi hospitality tent to come crashing down, thankfully no one was hurt. Teams however, came to the rescue assisting the YCPR in dismantling of the wreckage efforts.

Afternoon and early evening hour activities brought about the 2013 World Championship Skipper's meeting and opening ceremonies featuring YCPR President Luigi Dona Della Rosso and IM32CA Partner BPSE. It was obvious teams are really happy to be in Porto Rotondo, as they mingled over AstiHour drinks, food and camaraderie.

Wednesday's forecast does not look promising as the big breeze is expected to continue and may prove to be too much for racing. A Race Committee announcement will be made at 09.00 in Porto Rotondo regarding the intention for the day.

Entry list (Owner/Tactician)
1.) Jason Carroll/Cameron Appleton, Argo
2.) Giangiacomo Serena di Lapagio/Andrea Casale, Atlantica 19
3.) Mauro Mocchegiani/Branko Brcin, Audi Italia Sailing Team
4.) Alessandro Rombelli/Paul Goodison, Azimut by STIG
5.) Andrea Pozzi/Lorenzo Bressani, Bombarda
6.) Filippo Pacinotti/Nathan Wilmot, Brontolo HH
7.) Malcolm Gefter/Steve Hunt, Celeritas
8.) Lanfranco Cirillo/Michele Paoletti, Fantastica
9.) Edoardo Pavesio/Chris Rast, FRA MARTINA
10.) Deneen Demourkas/Francesco Bruni, Groovederci
11.) Richard Goransson/Hamish Pepper, Inga From Sweden 3
12.) Naofumi Kamei/Manuel Weiller, Mamma Aiuto!
13.) Roberto Mazzucato/Daniele Cassinari, Margherita
14.) Vincenzo Onorato/Gabriele Benussi, Mascalzone Latino
15.) Tony Buckingham, Brad Butterworth, Ngoni
16.) Wolfgang Stolz/Jesper Radich, Opus One
17.) Diasuke Kimura/Kazuto Seki, Quetefeek
18.) Luca Simeone/Pierluigi Fornelli, RIMYG
19.) Roberto Tomasini Grinover/Vasco Vascotto, Robertissima
20.) Andrea Ferrari/Fabio Mazzoni, Spirit of Nerina
21.) Keisuke Suzuki/Chris Nicolson, Swing
22.) Valentin Zavadnikov/Michele Ivaldi, Synergy GT
23.) Pavel Kunetsov/Andrey Kirilyuk, Tavatuy-Water Way
24.) Edoardo Lupi/Pietro Sibello, Torpyone
25.) Andrea Lacorte/Andrea Fornaro, Vitamina
26.) Yukihiro Ishida/Richard Clarke, Yasha Samurai