2019 Melges 24 European Sailing Series in Portoroz - Day 1
by IM24CA 6 Apr 00:06 BST
5-7 April 2019
Past Corinthian World and European Champion Tõnu Tõniste_s Lenny EST790 is taking the early lead in Portoroz - 2019 Melges 24 European Sailing Series © Andrea Carloni
The season opener of the 2019 Melges 24 European Sailing Series kicks off in Portoroz, Slovenia, despite of the weather, which was not so generous to the Melges 24 sailors today. Nevertheless, thirty teams representing ten nations from all over the Europe have completed three races with Southerly Sirocco wind.
Heavy storm and rain during the night, which raised the water level of the sea up to the marina buildings, was calming down for the morning, however keeping the temperature at very low degrees. The day started with a Skippers' Meeting where the Principal Race Officer David Bartol was explaining the plan for the upcoming days and introduced the International Jury chaired by Uros Zvan. Due to the lack of wind, the first start, planned for 12.00, was postponed ashore. Then wind picked up and the AP was lowered before midday.
PRO David Bartol admitted it was quite a hard day. "There was enough wind when we went out to the race course - about 10-12 knots, but the breeze was still shifty, with jumps even at 40-50 degrees, so much that we cancelled the starting procedure with AP flag a couple of times. The first race got started about at 3 pm finally. After the races got started, there was no need to change the course anymore. Races were about forty minutes long, but the sailors were content with the length of the races for the first regatta of the season."
The first bullet of the season was taken by past Corinthian World and European Champion Tõnu Tõniste's Lenny EST790 followed by another Corinthian team of Sergio Caramel Arkanoe by Montura ITA809. Third place was taken by Vasyl Gureyev's Arctur from Ukraine UKR661.
Next two races were won by 2018 Melges 24 Corinthian European 3rd best team of Akos Csolto on Seven Five Nine HUN759. With Lenny as first and Arkanoe by Montura as second, these three teams are completing the provisional podium of the regatta, being also the Top 3 of the Corinthian ranking.
Results after Day 1: (top five, 3 races)
1. LENNY EST790 - Corinthian - Tõnu Tõniste - 1-3-2, 6pts
2. ARKANOE BY MONTURA ITA809 - Corinthian - Sergio Caramel - 2-2-3, 7pts
3. SEVEN FIVE NINE HUN759 - Corinthian - Akos Csolto - 9-1-1, 11pts
4. GILL RACE TEAM GBR694 - Corinthian - Geoff Carveth - 4-6-6, 16pts
5. TAKI 4 ITA778 - Corinthian - Niccolo Bertola - 8-5-4, 17pts
See the full results here.
The crews will now enjoy some after racing beer and pasta hosted by the Marina Portoroz, getting ready for the races of tomorrow that will resume at 11.00 am.
More information about the event and series available at melges24.com/europeansailingseries