Melges 20 Audi-Tron Sailing Series at Porto Ercole - Day 1
by International Audi Melges 20 Class Association 18 Jul 2015 12:16 BST
18-20 July 2015
After only one day of racing, Dario Levi's Fremito D'Arja has taken a seriously strong stance in his quest for the Porto Ercole "King of the Rock" title. Two races are complete with Levi placing first in both heats ultimately proving that his current, overall lead in the 2015 World and European Ranking is well founded and perhaps, very well deserved.
While Levi triumphed, Wes Whitmyer, Jr. from the United States had an exceptional day earning a 7-2 score for second overall, besting third-place finisher Manfredi Vianini Tolomei on Maolca.
Under moderate conditions, the first race commenced under beautiful blue skies with Levi getting ahead almost immediately. Lorenzo Lupi's Torpyone and Yury Morozov on Russotrans battled for top positions around the first windward mark and through the gate. Mirko De Falco on Peccere and Johannes Lind-Widestam on Intermezzo pulled up to challenge, pouring on the speed and mixing it up in the last half of the race to take second and third respectively behind race winner Levi.
The final race of the day saw more hot racing action from fleet newcomer Danil Emets on Melges Russia, Wilma Homann on Fantastichina, Marco Franchini on Mezzaluna and Andrea Pozzi's Bombarda Racing. It was not until the last run of the race that Whitmyer and Levi found pressure and boat speed to battle for the lead going into the finish. Levi took the bullet in Race Two followed by Whitmyer in second, Franchini in third, Emets was fourth and Guido Miani's Out of Reach rounded out the top five.
The fourth act of the 2015 Audi-Tron Sailing Series is hosted by Circolo Nautico e della Vela Argentario, and organized by B.Plan Sport & Events (BPSE) in cooperation with Melges Europe.
In addition to main sponsor Audi, the Audi-Tron Sailing Series is supported by official sponsors Kuehne+Nagel, Technical Partners Torqeedo, Caffe Vergnano, Bavaria, Usail, Nuova Jolly and The Suite Club.
The start of Race Three is scheduled for at noon (Italy) on Saturday.
View Full Results [PDF]
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