2025 Melges 24 European Sailing Series - Rankings take shape after three events
by International Melges 24 Class Association 10 Jun 2025 05:51 BST
23-25 May 2025
2025 Melges 24 European Sailing Series / Italian Open Championship - Fraglia Vela Riva, Riva del Garda, ITA © IM24CA | Zerogradinord
The 2025 Melges 24 European Sailing Series is well under way, with three competitive events completed and the season heating up ahead of the World Championship in Trieste.
With nearly one-third of the 10-event series behind us, 48 teams from 11 nations, including 28 Corinthian crews and three U24 teams, have already contributed to a dynamic and diverse leaderboard.
At the top of the overall standings is Razjaren (CRO), helmed by Ante Cesic and owned by Lukasz Podniesinski. The reigning European Champion and 2024 series winner has maintained momentum, accumulating 78.75 points over three consistent regattas. Another Croatian powerhouse is just behind: Panjic, owned by Luka Sangulin, is second with 77.5 points, while Dino Orioli's Daito Nano (ITA) rounds out the provisional podium with 62.5 points.
The series is also closely contested in the Corinthian division. The current leaders are Zhik Race Team (GBR) led by Miles Quinton with 56.25 points, followed by Taki 4 (ITA) of Marco Zammarchi on 55 points, and Chinook (HUN) of Akos Csolto with 48.75 points.
Notably, five teams - Razjaren, Panjic, Daito Nano, Zhik Race Team, and Kim Magniani's Fly YCA (ITA) - have competed in all three events so far, underscoring their commitment and consistency.
Event highlights
The season opened in Opatija, Croatia, where Strambapapà, helmed by Michele Paoletti, made a triumphant return to the circuit after a season away. Racing with his regular crew again, including Giovanna Micol, fresh from her America's Cup campaign, Paoletti delivered a strong performance to take the overall victory.
In Trogir, the home advantage played its part as Razjaren, with Ante Cesic on the helm, secured a well-earned win, reinforcing their dominance in the early series standings.
Then came Riva del Garda, where Laura Grondin's Dark Energy (USA) came alive, harnessing the powerful Ora breeze to win the regatta on a tie-breaker with Razjaren, demonstrating the team's strength and speed on one of Europe's most iconic lakes.
Among the Corinthian competitors, Taki 4 of Marco Zammarchi and Niccolò Bertola made their mark early with a win in Opatija. They repeated the feat in Riva del Garda, confirming their place as one of the top amateur teams in the fleet. In Trogir, the honours went to Davor Jelaca's Blue Label (CRO), helmed by Hrvoje Petrovic, whose solid performance in their home waters secured their first Corinthian series win.
Looking ahead: a summer of racing across Europe
While the first events have been held in the southern waters of the Adriatic, the summer stretch of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series heads north for midsummer sailing. The next stop is Struer, Denmark (Struer Sejlklub, June 20-22), followed closely by Grundig Hankø Race Week in Norway (Kongelig Norsk Seilforening, June 26-29). In parallel, southern racing continues with the Melges 24 Austrian Open Nationals on Attersee (Segelclub Kammersee, June 27-29), and the Trofeo Gaudi Act 2 in Monfalcone, Italy (Yacht Club Monfalcone, July 4-6). Later in the summer, the circuit returns to Denmark for the Danish National Championship in Middelfart (August 29-31), offering yet another opportunity for teams to prepare for the season's grand finale - the Melges 24 Worlds in Trieste.
For many teams, the campaign is already under way, and every regatta from here on is a crucial step on the road to 2025 Melges 24 World Championship, which will be held in Trieste, Italy, from September 20-27, hosted by Yacht Club Adriaco. With the calendar packed and competition intensifying, every race from now until September is a critical step toward the title.
Top 10 - Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2025 (after 3 events)
1. Razjaren (CRO867) - Lukasz Podniesinski / helmsman Ante Cesic - 78.75 pts
2. Panjic (CRO803) - Luka Šangulin - 77.50 pts
3. Daito Nano (ITA748) - Dino Orioli -62.50 pts
4. Zhik Race Team (GBR694) - Miles Quinton / helmsman Geoff Carveth - 56.25 pts (Corinthian)
5. Taki 4 (ITA778) - Marco Zammarchi / helmsman Niccolò Bertola - 55.00 pts (Corinthian)
6. Chinook (HUN850) - Ákos Csoltó - 48.75 pts (Corinthian)
7. Mataran 24 (CRO649) - Ivo Matic / helmsman Ante Botica - 47.50 pts (Corinthian)
8. Strambapapa (ITA689) - Michele Paoletti - 42.50 pts
9. Fjonda (CRO742) - Goran Ivankovic - 38.75 pts
10. Dark Energy (USA868) - Laura Grondin - 35.00 pts
Full results, upcoming events, and registration info: melges24.com/europeansailingseries