STIG crowned

Alessandro Rombelli's crew comes good despite last day charge by Jason Carroll's ARGO

Alessandro Rombelli and his STIG crew of tactician Francesco Bruni and crew members Pierluigi De Felice, Giorgio Tortarolo, Michele Giovannini, Daniele Fiaschi, Luca Faravelli (2010 World Champ) and Filippo La Mantia on securing themselves the 2015 Melges 32 World Champion title.

Less than one year ago, Rombelli found himself fourth overall at the Miami Worlds. A complete European sailing season later, he now sits atop as 'King' of one of the world's most highly competitive one design classes.

Despite the most impressive performance on the water, on the final day of any World Championship ever, 2013-14 trophy holder Jason Carroll on Argo finished the event in second overall. Tactician Cameron Appleton and crew members Scott Norris, Anthony Kotoun, Graham Landy, Mike Kutchner, Phillip 'Flipper' Wehrheim and Jake Ladow raced their hearts out to score a 1-1 for the day.

2015 marked the first time that American Ryan DeVos on Volpe raced on the prestigious European Audi-Tron Sailing Series circuit. One of the fleet's most exciting twenty-somethings, DeVos finished third overall. He has been racing his Melges 32 alongside of his father Dick DeVos for more than five years, and among their most notable accomplishments are U.S. National and North American Championship titles. In addition to his dad, the legendary Mark Mendelblatt served as tactician with crew members Scott Nixon, Sam Rogers, Ryan's cousin Drew Weirda, Mike Hill and Keiran Searle.

Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio's G-SPOT, winner of two World Championship heats finished the event in fourth, followed by Japan's Yukihiro Ishida on Yasha Samurai in fifth - his best result at a Melges 32 Worlds.

It goes without saying that for Rombelli and his STIG team, it has been an unforgettable season of racing his Melges 32. With impactful wins in Loano, Porto Ercole and now Trapani at Worlds, Rombelli has established himself as a true, formidable opponent and competitor in the world of yacht racing.

Leading right up to the Worlds, Tomasini Grinover's Robertissima remained a strong front-runner. His win in Riva del Garda combined with only an eighth place finish at Worlds, Roberto comfortably finishes the season second overall.

Another individual who shined exceptionally bright all season long, and put brilliance on front-burner display in Trapani is third place overall di Lapigio. He proudly finishes out the European sailing season in third overall.

Rounding out the top five was the enthusiastic, energetic and highly entertaining team of Torpyone commanded by Edoardo Lupi and Massimo Pessina in fourth, and the American, not to mention youngest helmsman in the fleet, Dalton DeVos on Delta finished fifth.

Results