Monday 15 April 2013

Audi Melges 32 Sailing Series : Zavadnikov's 'Team Synergy' in Lead at Gaeta

Synergy in action in Italy. Image copyright Carlo Borlenghi/BPSE

by Joy Dunigan

The Race Committee took full advantage of Saturday's heated conditions to deliver three incredible races at the 2013 Audi Melges 32 Sailing Series in Gaeta. As proof, each race presented a different winner. Lanfranco Cirillo's Fantastica took charge early to win Race One. Roberto Tomasini Grinover displayed his Robertissima might by winning Race Two, and Vincenzo Onorato's Mascalzone Latino championed the final race of the day.

Close racing at the Audi Melges 32 Sailing Series event in Gaeta, Italy. Image copyright Carlo Borlenghi/BPSE.

Despite the various race winners, Valentin Zavadnikov at the helm of Team Synergy continues his firm grip on the lead after a great day of competition on the Gulf of Gaeta. On the eve of the final day of racing, the star-studded Russian team has a nine point advantage over a brilliant Edoardo Pavesio on Fra Martina in second overall - the fierce fighter of last year's great season finale, and a solid ten over third place finisher Edoardo Lupi's Torpyone.

Gaeta, Italy, Audi Melges 32 racing. Image copyright Carlo Borlenghi/BPSE.

The fourth to seventh place seated teams will battle for a potential spot on the podium. Amongst those in contention include Andrea Pozzi on Bombarda, Naofumi Kamei on Mamma Aiuto! and the great Carlo Alberini on his powerful Calvi Network Melges 32.

Spectacluar backdrop for Audi Melges 32 racing in Gaeta. Image copyright Carlo Borlenghi/BPSE.

The 2013 Audi Melges 32 Sailing Series, organized by B-Plan Sport&Events in full collaboration with the International Melges 32 Class Association, Melges Europe and Yacht Club Gaeta EVS, will be back in action tomorrow commencing at 11.00. Three final races are planned with a cut off start time of 14.30 Italy time.


TOP TEN RESULTS (Preliminary | After five races)
1.) Valetin Zavadinkov/Tommaso Chieffi, Team Synergy; 3-1-3-8-3 = 18
2.) Edoardo Pavesio/Chris Rust, Fra Martina; 4 (ZULU)-4-2-3-11 = 27
3.) Edoardo Lupi/Branko Brcin, Torpyone; 1-10-8-2-7 = 28
4.) Andrea Pozzi/Lorenzo Bressani, Bombarda; 10-3-6-7-6 = 32
5.) Lanfranco Cirillo/Michele Paoletti, Fantastica; 12-11-1-9-4 = 37
6.) Carlo Alberini/Flavio Favini, Calvi Network; 2-14-9-11-2 = 38
7.) Naofumi Kamei/Manuel Weiller, Mamma Aiuto!; 7-6-12-5(DPI)-5 = 38
8.) Vincenzo Onorato/Gabriele Benussi, Mascalzone Latino; 8-5-13-15-1 = 42
9.) Marc de Antonio/Gustavo Martinez Doreste, Bribon Movistar; 13-12-7-4-8 = 44
10.) Deneen Demourkas/Mark Mendelblatt, Groovederci; 6-2-16-6-16 = 46

Melges 32