SailRaceWin: Audi Tron Melges 32 : Audi Tron Sailing Series Brings Green Power To Porto Ercole, Italy

Saturday, 17 May 2014

Audi Tron Melges 32 : Audi Tron Sailing Series Brings Green Power To Porto Ercole, Italy

Melges 32s training at Porto Ercole. Image copyright Max Ranchi

by Joy Dunigan

Sixteen Melges 32s have assembled in Porto Ercole for the second edition of the 2014 Audi Tron Sailing Series, a circuit that is organized by B.Plan Sports&Events and Melges Europe. Every team will be perfectly outfitted with Torqueedo electric outboards - an environmental effort positively welcomed and supported by boat owners and team members alike.

Melges 32s training at Porto Ercole. Image copyright Max Ranchi

Porto Ercole - hosted by Circolo Nautico e della Vela Argentario, will welcome a variety of new and fresh teams to the stage such as International Class Vice President Richard Gorannson's Helly Hansen Inga From Sweden with tactician Morgan Larson, Carlo Perrone's Atlantica 19 with Andrea Casale on tactics, and the Spanish/Japanese team of Naofumi Kamei on Mamma Aiuto! Competing for the first time ever is Fritz Homann chartering Lanfranco Cirillo's Fantastica featuring former Melges 24 World Champion Nico Celon as tactician.

Melges 32s training at Porto Ercole. Image copyright Max Ranchi

Other teams that will surely bring on the heat this weekend is Andrea Ferrari on Spirit of Nerina with another Melges 24 class great - Carlo Fracassoli on tactics. Vincenzo Onorato's Mascalzone Latino returns as does Mauro Mocchegiani on Audi e-Tron and Filippo Pacinotti's Brontolo Helly Hanson.

Melges 32s training at Porto Ercole. Image copyright Max Ranchi

Teams have dedicated the past few days to getting the boats ready, tuning, training and outfitted with the awesome new Torqueedo electric outboards. A very special thanks to Torqueedo as with each boat equipped with the means of electric propulsion, the Audi Tron Sailing Series is the first environmentally regatta series of its kind.

Melges 32s training at Porto Ercole. Image copyright Max Ranchi

As in the past, the start of the Audi Tron Sailing Series means the return of the Audi test drives too. Anyone can demo the A3 g-tron, S1 Sportback, A1 Sportback, SQ5 and RS6. For further details, please call 345.9585343, or e-mail.

Melges 32s training at Porto Ercole. Image copyright Max Ranchi

The Audi Tron Sailing Series has reconfirmed its innovative style with a brand new mobile app - now available on Google Play and iTunes Apple Store for free.

Melges 32s training at Porto Ercole. Image copyright Max Ranchi

In addition to main sponsor Audi, the Audi Tron is supported by official sponsors Kuehne+Nagel, Torqeedo electric motors and technical partners such as the Ente Fiera di Genova, Nespresso and Olicor.