Thanks to the exchange of favours between Peler and Ora, also punctual today in taking over from the northern parts of Garda, the fourth event of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series runs towards the finish with a full schedule: in fact, after two days of racing the score line counts in seven races and is taking care also of the discard.
The day, well managed on the water by the Race Committee and by the Fraglia Vela Riva's team, was great for Michele Paoletti's Strambapapà (ITA; 4-1-5), skilled in lengthening the step compared to the opponents and to enter the final day with some huge margin over the second; and for Luka Sangulin's Panjic (CRO; 1-UFD-1), that, after a not so brilliant Friday, achieved to the point to be the protagonist of the day with two bullets, by climbing several places until he makes it to the seventh position in overall ranking.
Returning to the top of the overall ranking, we need to underline, that Strambapapà is trailed at the double-digit margin by Richard Thompson's Black Seal (GBR; 5-3-3), that helmed by Stefano Cherin, is closely pursued by Peter Karrie's Nefeli (GER; 11-UFD-4).
Today was useful to the leaders of the standings to put points among the claims and the third step of the podium: Andrea Racchelli's Altea (ITA; 9-UFD-2), reigning European Champion of the International Melges 24 Class Association, is now eight points far away from Nefeli, while Marcello Caldonazzo Arvedi's Gilles (ITA; 2-2-UFD) is in the wake of Racchelli's crew.
It is clear that the complicated weather conditions of the Garda Lake, characterized by more unstable breezes than usual, and accompanied by a nervous wave motion, have made a tough selection: the top performer of the Corinthian, Christopher Renker's Cytrus (SUI; 3-7-6), had an amazing day and is now tenth in the ranking by just three points in front of Michael Tarabochia's White Room (GER; 14-5-UFD), paired with Miles Quinton's Gill Race Team (GBR; 8-6-12).
The fourth event of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series and Act 3 of the Italian Melges 24 Tour will end on Sunday with holding of the last two races: the warning signal is set for 8.30, hoping for some strong Peler coming in.
Day 2 Overall Top twelve including Corinthian Top 3 (after 7 races)
STRAMBAPAPA ITA689 Michele Paoletti – 1-1-2-3-4-1-(5) – 12 pts
BLACK SEAL GBR694 Richard Thompson with Stefano Cherin helming – 5-7-6-1-5-3-3 – 23 pts
NEFELI GER673 Peter Karrié – 2-4-3-2-11-(28UFD)-4 – 26 pts
ALTEA ITA722 Andrea Racchelli – 3-8-4-8-9-(28UFD)-2 – 34 pts
GILLES ITA793 Marcello Caldonazzo Arvedi with Pietro D'Ali´ helming – 14-3-8-9-2-2-(28UFD) – 38 pts
MELGINA ITA693 Paolo Brescia – 9-9-1-6-(12)-8-7 – 40 pts
PANJIC CRO739 Luka Šangulin – 6-5-13-17-1-(28UFD)-1 – 43 pts
TAKI 4 ITA778 Marco Zammarchi with Carlo Fracassoli helming – (28UFD)-2-7-5-10-13-8 – 45 pts
WARCANOE USA841 Michael Goldfarb – 7-6-10-13-7-4-(16) – 47 pts
CYTRUS SUI731 Christopher Renker (Corinthian) – 12-12-15-(19)-3-7-6 – 55 pts
WHITE ROOM GER677 Michael Tarabochia (Corinthian) – 4-11-12-12-14-5-(28) – 58 pts
GILL RACE TEAM GBR694 Miles Quinton with Geoff Carveth helming (Corinthian) – (15)-14-11-7-8-6-12 – 58 pts