Sailing Series® Melges 20 at Talmone, Italy - Day 1
by Stefano Bareggi 10 Jun 2016 23:55 BST
10-12 June 2016
Sailing Series Melges 20 in Talamone day 1 © BPSE / ZGN
Davies dominates
Opening day in Talamone produced three races under light air conditions with Richard Davies on Section 16 virtually annihilating the competition to lead the 35-strong fleet. Two bullets and a sixth place result in Race Two enabled him to take leadership of what is a fleet deep in talent and strength.
Matteo Marenghi Vaselli on Raya is seated second overall, thanks to a good start to the day. His 3-2 helps him stand strong as a formidable runner-up, however a fifteenth in Race Three left him some twelve points off the pace behind Davies. Corrado Agusta's Customly complete's the podium in third.
The first race of the event got underway with light westerly breezes and International Class President Davies in full and complete charge. Russia's Sergei Sobolev on ELF was hot on his tail completing the heat in an impressive second position, followed by Monaco's Marenghi Vaselli.
Although Davies carried the lead into Race Two, Marenghi Vaselli fought hard with race winner Marco Franchini aboard Mezzaluna. For Marenghi Vaselli and Franchini, it was a tug-o-war with and against each other, as they were continuously challenged by Yuriy Morozov on Russotrans, Manfredi Mancinelli Scotti on Lucifer and Wilma Homann aboard Fantastichina. Franchini got the win, while Homann came third. Marenghi Vaselli took second and moved into first place overall, two points ahead of Davies.
Race Three, the final race of the day offered nothing less that a performance of total domination by Davies. Feverish rivals Alexander Ezhkov on Pirogovo, Igor Rytov on Russian Bogatyrs and Agusta challenged for leadership at every opportunity. Davies took his second bullet of the day and the event to reclaim the overall lead. Ezhkov came second and Agusta was third.
In the Corinthian division, Homann leads over Mirko Bargolini's Spirit of Nerina and Dmitry Samokhin Rocknrolla.
Saturday, Day Two in Talamone, the competition continues with an additional three more races.
Media and racing coverage
As with other Melges 20 events in Europe and around the world, racing updates will be posted online at the Official Melges 20 Facebook Page. Tune in for the latest racing information, results, video interviews, and photos. Race reports, press releases and photos will be made available online each day post racing at melges20.com.
Results after Day 1: (top ten, 3 races)
1.) Richard Davies, Section 16; 1-6-1= 8 pts
2.) Matteo Marenghi Vaselli, Raya; 3-2-15 = 20 pts
3.) Corrado Agusta, Customly; 12-11-3 = 26 pts
4.) Alessandro Rombelli, Stig; 4-16-7 = 27 pts
5.) Marco Franchini, Mezzaluna; 22-1-5 = 28 pts
6.) Alexander Ezhkov, Pirogovo; 9-19-2 = 30 pts
7.) Guido Miani, Out of Reach; 11-15-13 = 39 pts
8.) Lauro Bonora, Camay; 6-26-10 = 42 pts
9.) Manfredi Mancinelli Scotti, Lucifer; 5-5-33 = 43 pts
10.) Yuriy Morozov, Russotrans; 18-4-23 = 45 pts