The Melges 24 fleet is ready for the wind factory and Melges Reunion

Riva del Garda, Italy–02 July 2024 - The sixth event of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2024 is set to take place at Fraglia Vela Riva, with Melges 24 teams eagerly anticipating the competition. The renowned "wind factory" will host a fiercely competitive fleet from Friday through Sunday (July 5 to 7), as the teams battle for valuable points that contribute to the series' overall standings.

 The leaderboard of the series is sizzling with competition! After five events, three teams are tied in points. Razjaren (CRO), helmed by Ante Cesic, is currently leading the standings thanks to its outstanding performances throughout the season. Following closely are Akos Csolto’s Chinook (HUN), the leader of the Corinthian division and the 2023 circuit winner, and Leonardo Centuori's youth team on Strambapapà (ITA), third overall and second in the Corinthian division, both of which are pursuits of the Croatian leader.

 Significantly, the sixth event of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series will once again feature a reunion between the Melges 32 and Melges 24 fleets, thanks to the cooperation between the International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA) and the Italian Melges 24 and Melges 32 Class Associations. The Riva del Garda event, scheduled for a maximum of eight races, will also serve as the Melges 24 Italian Championship.

 Over the course of five past events (Trieste, Portoroz, Skive, Attersee, and Hankø), the Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2024 has attracted the participation of 65 teams from nine nations so far.

 Returning to the Riva del Garda event, seven crews from the provisional Top Ten will be competing. These include the aforementioned Razjaren, Chinook, Miles Quinton’s Zhik Race Team (GBR), Antonio Masoli's Vertigo (ITA), Sergio Caramel's Arkanoè (ITA), Michael Tarabochia's White Room (GER), and Enrico Michel's Never 2 Late (ITA).

 Beyond the Top Ten, other strong teams are docked in Riva del Garda, ready to compete. Among them are Paolo Brescia's Melgina (ITA), a two-time winner of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series; Luka Šangulin's Panjic (CRO), who finished second in the 2023 circuit and is currently leading the CRO Melges 24 Cup; and Point One (CRO), owned by Karlo Kuret, a former America's Cup sailor, current runner-up of the CRO Melges 24 Cup.

 Fraglia Vela Riva, a respected partner and venue for the International Melges 24 Class Association, is organizing this exciting event. With a stellar lineup of competitors, the upcoming regatta promises thrilling races and remarkable sailing.

 Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2024 - Top Ten after 5 events:

CRO867 RAZJAREN - Ante Cesic - 60  
HUN850 CHINOOK (COR) - Akos Csolto - 60
ITA689 STRAMBAPAPA (COR) - Leonardo Centuori - 60
GBR694 ZHIK RACE TEAM (COR) – Miles Quinton – 52.5
ITA730 VERTIGO (COR) – Antonio Masoli – 48.75
CRO827 BLUE LABEL (COR) - Davor Jelaca – 43.75 
ITA809 ARKANOE BY MONTURA (COR) Sergio Caramel – 42.50
GER677 WHITE ROOM (COR) – Michael Tarabochia – 41.25
ITA638 LA FEMME TERRIBLE 1 (COR) - Mauro Brescian – 33.75 
ITA590 NEVER 2 LATE - Enrico Michel – 32.50