Melges 24 European Series in Riva del Garda - The last dance before Portoroz' Melges 24 Europeans
by International Melges 24 Class Association 21 Aug 13:14 BST
20-22 August 2021
A little less than three weeks before the date set for the first warning of the Melges 24 European Championship in Portoroz, pinnacle event for the class in this 2021 still affected by the pandemic that led to the cancellation of the World Championship from Charleston for the second year in a raw, the specialists of the one design class par excellence are ready to gather in Riva del Garda, where, between Friday and Sunday, the third event of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series, considered also Act 5 of the Italian Melges24Tour is scheduled.
Fifteen hulls at the start of what will be the third consecutive stage scheduled on Lake Garda, after those held in June in Malcesine - victory for Altea by Andrea Racchelli - and in July in Riva, where Estonian entry Lenny won, led by brothers Tõnu and Toomas Tõniste, already two-time Olympic medallists in the 470 class.
Once again, guests of the Fraglia Vela Riva, one of the most active yacht club in the world, the Melges 24 fleet hopes for the correct alternation between Peler and Ora to complete the program sets by the Notice of Race and have the opportunity to optimize the preparation in view of the competitive Slovenian event, where the entries should reach almost fifty.
Fighting for success in the third stage of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series will be some of the most active crews and, consequently, some of the predestined to be specials observed in the Slovenian water: boats like Altea, helmed by the former World Champion Andrea Racchelli, who will count on the experienced crew of all time; Taki 4 by Marco Zammarchi with Niccola Bertola at the helm, reigning Corinthian World Champion of the class; Gill Race Team of Miles Quinton and Geoff Carveth, former winners of the European circuit; Peter Karrié's Nefeli, who returns to rely on a particularly experienced Italian crew; Melgina by Paolo Brescia with the former 470 Junior World Champions Simon Kosuta and Jas Farneti in the afterguard and Strambapapà by the former Italian Olympian Michele Paoletti, three times European Champion of the J/70 Class, and Sergio Caramel's Arkanoe by Montura, with a recently crowned ORC C Class World Champion Karlo Hmeljak onboard. After quite some time we are happy to see on the starting line also strong Dutch Corinthian team Kesbeke of Eelco Blok with Ronald Veraar helming and, returning to the fleet on a new boat, German Rainbow of Bent Dietrich with Martin Trcka.
Nine races are scheduled, to be held by 2.30 pm on 22 August, when no start can be given after that time.
Sailors and supporters are invited to follow the races live on: www.metasail.it/incoming/229
After Riva event the most anticipated event of the Melges 24 season awaits the sailors on September 4-11 in Portoroz, Slovenia, where the Melges 24 European Championship 2021 will be the first major championship hosted by the International Melges 24 Class Association since Worlds in Villasimius, Italy in 2019 as a result of the pandemic. Marina Portoroz and YC Marina Portoroz are looking forward to welcome you in September!
2021 Melges 24 European Sailing Series will consist of six events:
June 25-27 - Malcesine, Garda lake, ITA
July 23-25 - Riva del Garda, ITA
August 20-22 - Riva del Garda, ITA
September 4-11 - Portoroz, SLO - Melges 24 Europeans 2021
September 24-26 - Attersee, AUT
October 1-3 - Trieste, ITA
More information about the event and series available at melges24.com/europeansailingseries