by Joy Dunigan
Twenty-nine Audi Melges 20 teams are expected to take to the waters of Porto Ercole, Italy on Saturday, May 18 for the start of Event No. 2 of the 2013 Audi Sailing Series organized by BPSE - B.Plan Sport & Events in full coordination with the International Audi Melges 20 Class Association (IAM20CA) and Melges Europe. This event will conclude a major Melges double-header, back-to-back weekend extravaganza where more than 50 Melges boats will have enjoyed the incredible racing conditions that Porto Ercole has to offer!
Among those competing is current Audi Sailing Series leader Guido Miani aboard Out of Reach with steady tactician Gabriele Benussi, Achille Onorato's Mascalzone Latino Jr. and Francesco Farnetti's ITA-157. Former Gold Cup Champion Alessandro Rombelli on STIG and reigning Champion Dario Levi aboard Fremito D'Arja are in attendance, as is Mirko de Falco on Peccerè, Federico Albano on 3Menda and last but not least, is Renato Vallivero's Audi Ultra Giacomel.
The stunning scenery by the race track. Image copyright Steffano Gattini/BPSE
Competing for the first time in 2013 in Europe is International Class President Manfredi Vianini Tolomei on Maolca, and Davide Albertini on Leviathan who finished an amazing fourth at the 2012 Gold Cup Regatta.
The IAM20CA is thrilled to complete the international roster of competitors with Joe and Stephanie Lacey on Fantome from France, Jurgen Fuchs on Hellcat and Florian Rixner on Mojito both represent Germany. Wes Whitmyer Jr.'s Slingshot and Russell Lucas aboard Shimmer hails from the USA, while International Class Vice President Rob Wilber's Cinghiale will sail under the English flag.
It is set to be a challenging, yet wonderful weekend of Audi Melges 20 racing. Surely there will be a many twists and turns as the racing unfolds.
Racing is set to commence on Saturday, May 18 and conclude on Sunday, May 19. Six races are scheduled for the entire event (4 per event) with a discard going into effect on the completion of Race Six.
Boats waiting to sail... Image copyright Steffano Gattini/BPSE
Once racing in Porto Ercole is finished at Circolo Nautico e della Vela dell'Argentario, the 2013 Audi Sailing Series season will progress to Portoferraio on 8-9 June and Torbole on 6-7 July. Fleet numbers will be on the rise as it pushes onward to Porto Rotondo on 29 August - September 1 for the first ever European Championship since the classes inception as an ISAF International Recognized Class. Many of the teams are looking forward to competing at the 2013 Audi Melges 20 World Championship taking place in Key Largo, FL at Ocean Reef Club on December 11-14.
Melges 20s in Porto Ercole. Image copyright Steffano Gattini/BPSE
FULL ENTRY LIST
1.) Joe Lacey/Stephanie Lacey, Fantome
2.) Robert Wilber/Anthony Kotoun, Cinghaile
3.) Florian Rixner/Christopher Nordhoff, Mojito
4.) Jurgen Fuchs/Corinna Fuchs, Hellcat
5.) Achille Onorato/Lorenzo Bressani, Mascalzone Latino, Jr.
6.) Dario Levi/Pietro Sibello, Fremito D'Arja
7.) Alessandro Rombelli/Paul Goodison, STIG
8.) Claudio Dutto/Fabio Zeni, Asante Sana
9.) Davide Albertini/Flavio Favini, Leviathan
10.) Mirko de Falco/Guglielmo Giordano, Peccerè
11.) Pasquale Orofino/Dario Desiderio, Raffichetta
12.) Michele Dandolo/Fabio Montefusco, Tachicardia
13.) Luca Carafa/Filippo D'Arrigo, Shut Up
14.) Lauro Bonora/Carlo Fracassoli, Camay
15.) Ugo Capolino/Michele Mennuti, Kempo
16.) Valter Campanile/Niccolo Bianchi, Nellaria 20
17.) Francesco Farneti/Alberto Bolzan, ITA-157
18.) Stefano Santucci/Andrea Fornaro, Tomahawk
19.) Saverio Bifulco/Paolo Scutellaro, Noi di Notte
20.) Manfredi Vianini Tolomei/Andrea Misalli, Maolca
21.) Simone Anichini/Filippo Anichini, Henneken
22.) Marco Zaoli/Gabrio Zandona, Shadow
23.) Marco Franchini/Sandro Montefusco, Mezza Luna
24.) Giancarlo Capolino/Francesco Ivaldi, Legionario
25.) Federico Albano/Giulio Desidero, 3Menda
26.) Renato Vallivero/Enrico Fonda, Audi Turnover
27.) Guido Miani/Gabriele Benussi, Out of Reach
28.) Russell Lucas/Harry Melges III, Shimmer
29.) Wes Whitmeyer/Maxwell Fraser, Slingshot
Melges 20
