Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2016: Garda's 'normality' does not scare Racchelli's Altea

July 16, 2016 - Riva del Garda, Italy - In the first place the Peler and then the Ora: Garda Lake returns to its standard winds after yesterday's Northerly breeze that was blowing during all the afternoon. At the end of the second day of the fourth event of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series, event that is underway in Riva del Garda thanks to the organization of the Fraglia Vela Riva, Andrea Racchelli confirms Altea (ITA; 7-1-5) as the leader of the regatta with just three points margin ahead of Angelo Di Terlizzi's Marrakech Express (ITA; 3-6-2), helmed by former Italian Olympian Matteo Ivaldi. The third place is at the moment in the hands of Maidollis (ITA), entrusted to former Melges 24 World Champion Carlo Fracassoli from the owner Gianluca Perego. 

Andrea Racchelli's Altea ITA735 - photo (c) IM24CA/ZGN/MMelandri

Angelo Di Terlizzi's Marrakech Express ITA636 helmed by Matteo Ivaldi - photo (c)IM24CA/ZGN/MMelandri

Gianluca Perego's Maidollis ITA822 helmed by Carlo Fracassoli - photo (c)IM24CA/ZGN/MMelandri

The last two races for the series are planned for tomorrow morning with the first start at 9 am in order to sail with some strong Peler wind. At least another boat is fighting for some important results and we are talking about Chris Rast's EFG (SUI). The reigning World Champion, who is sailing along with the two times Melges 24 World Champion Flavio Favini, is fourth just one point behind Maidollis and he will try to take advantage of the latest race to move some steps forward. 

Miles Quinton's Gill Race Team GBR694 with Geoff Carveth helming - photo (c) IM24CA/MMelandri

Some crowd is also fighting for the fifth place in overall ranking, with Miles Quinton's Gill Race Team (GBR), leader of the Corinthian group; Eelco Blok's Team Kesbeke/SIKA/Gill (NED), the winner of the today's first race held with some light Peler that then left room to Ora; Andrea Pozzi's Bombarda (ITA) and Kalman Rozsnyay's FGF Sailing Team (HUN) collected a handful of points. 

Eelco Blok's Kesbeke/SIKA/Gill NED827 with Ronald Veraar helming - photo (c) IM24CA/MMelandri

Peter Warrer's Salty Dog DEN779 - photo (c) IM24CA/MMelandri

In Corinthian ranking the leader is Gill Race Team (GBR) with Geoff Carveth helming followed by Kesbeke/SIKA/Gill (NED) with Ronald Veraar at the helm on the second place and Peter Warrer's Salty Dog (DEN) as third tied with Michael Tarabochia's White Room (GER) as fourth.

Sailing will resume on early Sunday morning with no races scheduled after 2.30 pm.

Overall results 
Corinthian results 
Day 2 photos by (c) IM24CA/Mauro Melandri 

Results, photos and news will be linked to melges24.com/europeansailingseries  
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For further information on the event please contact:

Andrea Racchelli 
Melges 24 Italian Class Association
President 
m.racchelli@libero.it 
+39 349 223 8007 

Alice Zorzi  
Melges 24 Italian Class Association  
Secretary  
segreteria@melges24italia.it  
+39 344 280 4705 

Piret Salmistu 
IM24CA Administrator and Media Coordinator  
piret@melges24.com 
Skype piret.salmistu 
+372 507 7217