Audi Melges 20 Sailing Series final event for 2009

by Melges 20 media on 19 Sep 2009 Fourteen Audi Melges 20 racers have registered for the final Sailing Series event in 2009, taking place in Porto Cervo, hosted by the prestigious Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. This is the last event, a grand finale for a truely worldwide and extremely progressive breed of sportboat.

Attending the event is series leader Benedetto Giallongo on Value Team, unbeaten in the previous four events. Giallongo is passionate about the flourishing Audi Melges 20 fleet in Europe. It is obvious that this class’ close-knit group of dedicated owners are excited about the future of this boat. Fleet stalwarts also expected to attend include Luca Domenici on Mefisto, Alessandro Molla on Bela Vita, Marco Morina on Sei Tu 20 and the inspiring all-lady crew of Luisa Bambozzi on Troublemakers. There are several new faces such as 2009 Audi Melges 32 Sailing Series Champion Carlo Alberini on Calvi Network, Savino Formentini on Bitipi and Lanfranco Cirillo on Fantasticaaa.

Most of Friday was spent prepping the boats for competition, as well as enjoying a practice race in anticipation of fierce weekend competition. Afterwards, an owners meeting took place to review the successful year of 2009 and look ahead to the excitement of 2010. Discussions regarding a winter tune-up event were a hot topic, as well as the forthcoming 2010 racing circuit in Europe. It was followed by the official event skippers meeting and opening reception.

Racing begins Saturday, September 19 and concludes Sunday, September 20. Will Giallongo be able to hold off the competition? Will the fleet see a new winner or will he triumph once more? This weekend, with Porto Cervo’s classic sailing conditions expected, only two days of racing will reveal the next regatta winner and crown the overall series champion.

Full Entry List
1.) Luisa Bambozzi, Troublemakers
2.) Marco Morina, Sei Tu 20
3.) Fausto Rubbini, Thule
4.) Antonello Morina, Sei Tu
5.) Carlo Alberini, Calvi Network
6.) Alessandro Molla, Bela Vita
7.) Roberto Vallivero, Turnover
8.) Alessandro Rombelli, Aria Fritta
9.) Federico Albano, Tremenda
10.) Luca Domenici, Mefisto
11.) Savino Formentini, Bitipi
12.) Alessandro Franzi, ITA-146
13.) Lanfranco Cirillo, Fantasticaaa

Visit melges20.com as race reports and full results will be posted online.