Melges 32 and Farr 40 Fleets Ready to Race in Porto Cervo

by Jill Campbell

All is set in Porto Cervo for the start of racing tomorrow in two events being organized simultaneously by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS). Sixteen Melges 32 craft will compete in the Audi Invitational Melges 32 regatta from 25th to 27th June while ten Farr 40s will be racing in a leg of the Farr 40 European Circuit on the same dates - and on the same regatta course - off the north eastern coast of Sardinia. Both fleets return to Porto Cervo and the YCCS after having disputed their respective world championships there in 2009.

Audi Invitational Melges 32. Racing is scheduled to begin at 12 midday tomorrow in this penultimate leg of the Audi Melges 32 Sailing Series. The majority of the fleet is Italian but the Czech Republic, Germany, Monaco, Netherlands and the United Kingdom are also represented. Italian competitors include Lanfranco Cirillo’s Fantasticaaa and Luca Lalli’s B Lin Sailing.com, currently placed first and second respectively in the 2010 Audi Melges 32 Sailing Series classification. Saturday 26th June will see national celebrities from the world of sport and television as guests aboard the boats in a race which will decide the winner of the Audi Invitational Trophy before racing continues for the series. As is traditional in events organized by the YCCS in collaboration with title sponsor Audi, a rich social programme will complement the sporting schedule. Owners and crews will enjoy a welcome cocktail at the Clubhouse following the Skippers’ Briefing and a gala dinner on the YCCS Pool Terrace tomorrow in addition to daily after race refreshments in the Piazza Azzurra. The final prize giving will take place on Sunday 27th June at 6 p.m.

Farr 40 European Circuit. The Farr 40 fleet has been competing for over ten years and the crews competing in Porto Cervo this weekend boast some top-class yachtsmen such as round the world sailor Pietro D’Alì aboard Enfant Terrible and match racer Chris Larson aboard Plenty. The first starting signal for this class is also scheduled for 12 midday and the YCCS Race Committee will hold as many races as possible each day up to a maximum of eight for the series. The prize giving for the Farr 40 European Circuit is scheduled to take place on Sunday 27th June at 6 p.m.

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda