Melges 32 World Championship at Trapani, Italy - Overall
by International Melges 32 Class Association 31 Aug 2015 08:25 BST
23-30 August 2015
Final dramatic day in Trapani crowns Rombelli as 2015 Melges 32 World Champion
Congratulations are in full order for Alessandro Rombelli and his STIG 2015 Melges 32 World Champion team that includes tactician Francesco Bruni and crew members Pierluigi De Felice, Giorgio Tortarolo, Michele Giovannini, Daniele Fiaschi, Luca Faravelli (2010 World Champ) and Filippo La Mantia. 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 the world's most highly competitive, yet extraordinarily rewarding one design class - the Melges 32.
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 finishes 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 amongst 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!
Rombelli wins 2915 Audi-Tron Sailing Series
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.
A very special thanks
As always, many thanks to all twenty-two beautiful Melges 32 teams for attending. This championship would not have been possible without you - spanning representation from nine nations! Much appreciation and gratitude is extended to Melges 32 Class partners Series title sponsor Audi, B.Plan Sport & Events (BPSE) and Melges Europe for the outstanding organization of this event and the entire season. To our great friend and mighty PRO Anderson Reggio and his race committee/management team, the jury, Yacht Club Favignana - thank your for your expertise, talents and hard work to make this event a great success. And, again as in the beginning, a very special thank you to Capitaneria di Porto di Trapani for making the Harbor Regatta possible most especially to the Comitato Organizzatore Trapani - thank you, thank you Trapani for the warm Sicilian hospitality!
Time to race in the U.S.A. - W.F.O.R.C. & 2015/16 Blue Water Series
The 2015 Melges 32 World Championship was epic and in keeping with that momentum, the very first ever Blue Water Series will take place this Fall/Winter/Spring in the U.S.A. This series will be the culmination of fun, fast yet relaxed enjoyable racing in one of the sunniest parts of the world - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Topping it all off - all three events will be hosted by the lovely Lauderdale Yacht Club. All Melges 32s are invited to attend, so save the dates today! Registration is open for all three events!
- Event No. 1: U.S. National Championship - 2015 December 4-6
- Event No. 2: Gold Cup Regatta - 2016 February 12-14
- Event No. 3: Lauderdale Cup - 2016 April 1-3
W.F.O.R.C. Regatta is one of the longest running regattas in the South-eastern region of the United States. Hosted by the Pensacola Yacht Club in Pensacola, FL, attendance at this event is highly encouraged. Great fun, a very relaxed atmosphere but also, some seriously awesome racing too.
Register Online.
Overall Results: (top ten, 8 races, 1 discard, full results here)
1.) Alessandro Rombelli/Francesco Bruni, STIG; 2-2-4-3-1-[18]-4-2-3-6 = 27pts
2.) Jason Carroll/Cameron Appleton, Argo; 4-3-1-2-4-4-[21]-15-1-1 = 35pts
3.) Ryan DeVos/Mark Mendelblatt, Volpe; 3-4-8-14-9-2-[19]-5-5-2 = 52pts
4.) Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio/Branko Brcin, G-SPOT; 12-10-5-1-7-1-15-[18]-6-7 = 64pts
5.) Yukihiro Ishida/Hamish Pepper, Yasha Samurai; 11-6-3-16-[20]-3-17-1-8-3 = 68pts
6.) Keisuke Suzuki/Nicolai Sehested, Swing; 14-8-6-5-6-7-12-[20]-4-11 = 73pts
7.) Dalton DeVos/Jonathan McKee, Delta; 13-5-19-4-3-[20]-9-7-10-4 = 74pts
8.) Roberto Tomasini Grinover/Vasco Vascotto, Robertissima; 1-21-2-13-12-9-3-6-[22/ZFP]-12 = 79pts
9.) Andrea Ferrari/Roberto Spata, Spirit of Nerina; 7-7-16-11-11-10-1-4-12-[20] = 79pts
10.) Filippo Pacinotti/Gabrio Zandona, Brontolo HH; 9-[20]-13-12-2-12-14-3-7-16 = 88pts
2015 Audi-Tron Sailing Series Overall Results: (top ten, 5 events, full results here)
1.) Alessandro Rombelli, STIG; 134pts
2.) Roberto Tomasini Grinover, Robertissima; 152pts
3.) Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio, G-SPOT; 189pts
4.) Edoardo Lupi/Massimo Pessina, Torpyone; 249pts
5.) Dalton DeVos, Delta; 253pts
6.) Alec Cutler, Hedgehog; 257pts
7.) Jason Carroll, Argo; 262pts
8.) Valetin Zavadnikov, Synergy GT; 267pts
9.) Richard Goransson, Inga From Sweden; 295pts
10.) Andrea Ferrari, Spirit of Nerina; 299pts