2026 Melges 24 European Sailing Series #2 - Coppa Tito Nordio - Day 1
by International Melges 24 Class Association 22 May 20:35 BST
21-24 May 2026
The second event of the 2026 Melges 24 European Sailing Series got under way in beautiful style in Trieste, where Yacht Club Adriaco and the Italian Melges 24 Class welcomed the international fleet for four races in classic Adriatic thermal conditions.
The regatta also marks the opening stage of the Melges 24 Italian Trofeo Gaudì, the national circuit dedicated to the memory of former Melges 24 World Champion Gaudenzio Bonini, who tragically passed away in a mountain accident a year and a half ago.
Returning to the venue of the memorable 2025 Melges 24 World Championship brought many positive emotions back to the sailors. The atmosphere at Yacht Club Adriaco immediately reminded competitors why Trieste has become one of the favourite destinations on the Melges 24 calendar. The day started with a warm Italian-style skippers' briefing featuring coffee and brioche before the fleet headed out to sea under clear skies and sunshine.
The first warning signal was given at 12:00, and the race committee successfully completed four races in light-to-moderate thermal winds ranging from 7.5 to 10 knots. Wind directions shifted throughout the afternoon from west to west-southwest, producing tactical racing and constant position changes across the fleet.
Like in the opening event in Opatija, Croatia, the race management was supported by the Vakaros RaceSense system, which contributed to disciplined starting procedures and efficient race execution throughout the day, avoiding delays and helping the fleet maintain a smooth racing schedule.
Italy's TAKI 4, helmed by Niccolò Bertola, opened the regatta strongly with victories in the first two races, while Paolo Brescia's MELGINA answered with a race win in Race 3. Hungary's CHINOOK by Akos Csolto, closed the day by taking victory in the fourth race.
Consistency proved key on the opening day, allowing MELGINA to take the overnight lead after posting scores of 5-3-1-4 and finishing the day on 13 points. TAKI 4 sits second overall on 16 points, followed closely by CHINOOK on 17.
"Today was a great day and very tricky," said Paolo Brescia, owner of MELGINA. "Everybody was at the top at one moment and then down in the rankings, so everything is really open."
Commenting on the performance of TAKI 4, Brescia added, "I think they are probably stronger than others because they made only one mistake, while we made many mistakes. So I think it will be very tough. But it feels better and better. We are only at the beginning, and everything remains very open."
For MELGINA bowman Filippo Vulcanile, the day was particularly special.
"It was an unexpected day; we expected very light wind, but instead we had four beautiful races. It was also the first time with this crew, and we are very happy because we sailed a solid day and can now start building something for the future. And it was also nice because it was my first time sailing with my sister, so it was quite a good day for us."
Despite winning the opening two races, Niccolò Bertola admitted the second half of the day proved more complicated for TAKI 4.
"We still performed well in the third race, but it was not a very good start, and it was a tricky, shifty race. Still, we recovered to fourth place, which was a good improvement. The wrong part of the day was the fourth race, where we didn't recover enough and simply had a bad race. I hope this will become our discard."
Bertola also praised the venue and organisers.
"We know the club well now because we spent more than a week here during the World Championship last year. It's a beautiful club, beautiful people and beautiful weather, for sure this time, so we just enjoy it."
One of the strongest finishes of the day came from DAITO NANO, which closed the final race in second place. The team, including Niccolo Bianchi, a member of the 2025 World Champion crew from NEFELI, is still in the early stages of a new project.
"For us, this is the first regatta with this new team," said tactician Niccolò Bianchi. "We are super happy. The first three races were tough, but finishing second in the last one was very positive. We only trained together two days ago and have very few hours sailing together, but this can be the beginning of a new project with new goals."
Another team enjoying the atmosphere in Trieste is TOP GUN. Christoph Dönitz highlighted both the fleet's racing and its spirit.
"It's wonderful to be in Trieste and to be surprised by really good winds so that we could complete four races today. Good competition, a nice fleet, but still very friendly people, and we are really enjoying ourselves."
Speaking about the team's progress, Dönitz added, "We started last year and came together as a crew, and this year we are slowly moving up the rankings, but we still have a little way to go. Tactician Francesco 'Checco' Ivaldi is really the main sailing asset we have, and we are integrating his teachings a little more every day. It's been really fun working with him."
Following racing, the sailors gathered on the terrace of Yacht Club Adriaco for the traditional after-race social programme, continuing the welcoming atmosphere that has become a trademark of Melges 24 events in Trieste.
Four more races are scheduled across Saturday and Sunday as the battle for the second event of the 2026 Melges 24 European Sailing Series continues. The first warning signal on Saturday is set for midday.
Results after Day 1: (top ten, 4 races)
1. MELGINA (C), ITA 854, Paolo Brescia, 13 pts (5-3-1-4)
2. TAKI 4, ITA 778, Marco Zammarchi, 16 pts (1-1-4-10)
3. CHINOOK (C), HUN 850, Akos Csolto, 17 pts (2-9-5-1)
4. WHITE ROOM (C), GER 677, Michael Tarabochia, 20 pts (3-4-10-3)
5. AKUA (C), ITA 767, Mirco Pittarello, 25 pts (9-2-3-11)
6. CRO-A-SAIL (U), CRO 782, Miroslav Reljanovic, 26 pts (6-6-9-5)
7. DAITO NANO, ITA 748, Dino Orioli, 29 pts (8-7-12-2)
8. ZHIK RACE TEAM (C), GBR 694, Miles Quinton, 29 pts (12-8-2-7)
9. ESSETIVI (C), ITA 392, Triestina della Vela ASD, 41 pts (15-5-15-6)
10. ELA, AUT 607, Rene Noack, 41 pts (11-13-8-9)
Full results and Notice Board