Riccardo Simoneschi Leads After Spectacular Opening Day In Torbole
Leg 3 of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2013 is underway in Torbole and day one brought classic Lake Garda conditions for the 27 competing teams. Although there was slightly less wind than forecast it was still a superb day's sailing and Riccardo Simoneschi's Audi Ultra from Italy made a good start to the regatta with a 3, 2, 1 scoreling which puts them into the overall lead with a five point margin over nearest rival, the Swiss/American Chris Rast in EFG Bank. Makoto Nagahashi's JPN809 also put in an excellent day and finds himself in third overall, nine points behind Rast, going into the second day.
This is a truly international regatta and this is able demonstrated by the fact that six nations are represented in the top ten. The day's other race winners were Martin Tracka of CZE704 who also claimed a 6th and 9th to now lie fourth overall, and reigning Italy National Champion Matteo Balestrero of Giogi who won the opening race, stumbled a little in race two with a 12th and came back in race three to claim 4th, putting him into fifth place overall.
Racing continues until Sunday.
PHOTO GALLERY - Our thanks to photographer Matias Capizzano for the images - www.capizzano.com