Perfect Season Ending In Luino

No T-Shirt, no shorts – but this time Snow..! The last Act of the Italian Circuit 2014 was some kind of different of what the Melges 24 community knows from sailing in Italy. But: The beautiful Lago Maggiore in Front of lovely Lunio offered though once more best ever conditions for sailing and lots of action on the water. Even when some fingers and feet get really cold: It was well worth…! That's what all competitors finally agreed on. 22 Boats came to Luino for the "Coppa Lino Favini", as the last stage of this years Italian Act Series and announced as Swiss Open Nationals. 
 
Thought white caps on the surrounding mountains, the opening Friday did offer the most pleasant conditions with some sunshine, finally warm temperatures and a light breeze from the north with up to 10 knots. Saturday and Sunday the cold northerly wind was then much stronger gusting over 20 Knot allowing the race comitee to execute a total of eight beautiful races during the three days in best ever conditions. 
 
Franco Rossini's Swiss Team "Blu Moon" with local Flavio Favini at the helm and Gabriele Benussi calling the tactics showed an nearly faultless performance winning not less then five races in the series with their boat 822 borrowed from Team "Maidollis". Followed closely on the heels by Italian Team "Giogi" with Matteo Balestero / Nicola Celon. It was all down to the last day of racing with only two points of difference between this two teams. But "Blu Moon" made it all clear on sunday morning with another two clear wins. With that, Favini & Co. had been crowed as "Swiss Open Champion".
 
For the Lunio-Event Estonian Ants Havel on "Freddy" got enhanced by italian top crew Niccolo Bianci and Enrico Fonda showing continuing performance in the top-ranking and finishing the series on 3rd place. Behind that, German team Eddy Eich / Kicker Schäfer (with their new purchased boat 803, former "Gullisara) had a close but finally successful battle with Italian team "Taki" (Luca Centore) followed closely by  Team "Salty dog" of Peter Warer from Danmark on 6th position. Swiss Team "Aile" with Michael Good / Katharina Hanhart took 7th place over all and won the corinthian trophy. 
 
Thanks to the Club AVAV (Asssociazione Velica Alto Verbano) for the perfect organization on land and on water, and the generous hosting in the beautiful clubhouse in Lunio. 
 
"Coppa Lino Favini" in Luino will 2014 be held from October 10th – 12th, als last part of the Italian Act Series and again announced as Swiss Open Championships. Mark the dates now! 
 
Michael Good, SUI 382  
Swiss Melges 24 Association 
 
 
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