Melges 24 European Sailing Series - With the Ora fading, Dark Energy steps on the gas in Riva

24 May 2025—Riva del Garda, Italy - Even with the famed Ora breeze softening slightly, Day 2 of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series third event at Fraglia Vela Riva kept the momentum going. The third act of the 2025 Series, also valid as the Melges 24 Italian Open Championship - first scoring event of the 2025 Trofeo Gaudi, completed three more races today, bringing the total to six and allowing for the first discard to come into play. That adjustment shuffled the deck, resulting in a new leader heading into the final day.

The story of the day belonged to Dark Energy (USA 868). Skippered by Laura Grondin, with a star-studded crew including Taylor Canfield and Mac Agnese, the American team posted a stunning 1-1-6 scoreline. With two race wins back-to-back, they surged into the lead, now holding a narrow two-point advantage over fellow American rivals aboard Dark Horse (USA 870), skippered by Cuyler Morris, who scored an equally impressive 2-2-3 to climb into second overall.

Interview with Cuyler Morris

Cuyler Morris' Dark Horse USA870

IM24CA/Zerogradinord

Still firmly in the mix is Altea (ITA 722), helmed by Andrea Racchelli, who added a 5-8-2 today to stay tied for second on points with Dark Horse. However, due to the presence of Nigel Young on board, Altea is not eligible for the Italian title, which opens the door for Melgina (ITA 854) — Paolo Brescia’s team with Simone Ferrarese calling the tactics — to stake their claim. Melgina now sits fourth overall with 23 points, tied with Razjaren (CRO 867), the reigning European Champions led by Ante Ćesić, who delivered a consistent 3-5-4 performance today.

In seventh place overall is Nika (MON 860), skippered by Vladimir Prosikhin, who scored a decisive win in Race 6. Team Nika already made waves earlier this year with a 2nd place finish at the prestigious Bacardi Invitational Cup in Miami. A high-profile addition to the fleet, Nika continues to gain momentum in their debut season, showing strong pace and precision in the lighter Garda breeze.

Interview with Vladimir Prosikhin

Vladimir Prosikhin's Nika MON860

IM24CA/Zerogradinord

In the Corinthian division, Taki 4 (ITA 778), owned by Marco Zammarchi and helmed by Niccolò Bertola, broke clear of the pack thanks to a strong 7-4-10. The four-time Corinthian World Champions now lead the amateur standings with a four-point margin over Chinook (HUN 850), skippered by Ákos Csoltó, and White Room (GER 677), sailed by the Tarabochia family, currently 11th overall and trailing Taki 4 by 13 points.

Marco Zammarchi's Taki 4 ITA778 with Niccolo Bertola helming

IM24CA/Zerogradinord

With 27 boats competing and everything still to play for, the regatta will conclude tomorrow, Sunday, May 25, with the final two races scheduled to start at 11:00. Racing will conclude with the official awards ceremony on the terrace of Fraglia Vela Riva.

Top 11, including Corinthian Top 3, After 6 Races: 

1. USA 868 Dark Energy - Laura Grondin 6; 1; (9); 1; 1; 6 - 15 pts
2. USA 870 Dark Horse - Cuyler Morris 5; 5; (11); 2; 2; 3 - 17 pts
3. ITA 722 Altea - Andrea Racchelli 3; 4; 3; 5; (8); 2 - 17 pts
4. ITA 854 Melgina - Paolo Brescia 1; 2; 6; (11); 7; 7 - 23 pts
5. CRO 867 Razjaren - Ante Ćesić 4; 7; (12); 3; 5; 4 - 23 pts
6. CRO 803 Panjic - Luka Šangulin 7; 3; 5; 4; (10); 8 - 27 pts
7. MON 860 Nika - Vladimir Prosikhin 9; 8; 4; (10); 6; 1 - 28 pts
8. ITA 778 Taki 4 - Niccolò Bertola 2; 9; (14); 7; 4; 10 - 32 pts Top Corinthian
9. ITA 748 Daito Nano - Dino Orioli 8; 10; 1; 12; (18); 5 - 36 pts
10. HUN 850 Chinook - Ákos Csoltó (12); 6; 10; 6; 3; 11 . 36 pts 2nd Corinthian
11. GER 677 White Room - Luis Tarabochia 10; 12; 2; 8; 13; (19) - 45 pts 3rd Corinthian

Full results & Notice Board 
Photos of the event © Zerogradinord  
2025 Melges 24 Italian Open Championship - 2025 Melges 24 European Sailing Series 3rd event

Fraglia Vela Riva website: fragliavelariva.it 
IM24CA website: melges24.com  
ITA M24CA website: melges24.it

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Event Press Officer and Photographer 
Mauro Melandri - Zerogradinord

More details of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series available at: https://www.melges24.com/europeansailingseries