Balestrero Crowned 2018 Melges 32 World League Champion
2018 Melges 32 World League Champion
Matteo Balestrero, GIOGI
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INTERNATIONAL MELGES 32 CLASS ASSOCIATION
1 SEPTEMBER 2018
Balestrero Crowned 2018 Melges 32 World League Champion
CAGLIARI, Italy (September 1, 2018) - The Italian team of GIOGI, helmed by Matteo Balestrero along with tactician Branko Brcin and crew members Stefano Orlandi, Giulio Desiderato, Alessandro Siviero, Cristiano Giannetti, Elio Borio and Leone Taddei are the new 2018 Melges 32 World League Champions.
The final event of the 2018 season, hosted by Yacht Club Cagliari concluded today with three final races.
Following his win in Riva del Garda, Balestrero's main goal was to defend his leadership of the 2018 ranking. In one fell swoop, Balestrero captured not only the final event win of the regular season, but also the crown of World League Champion in the Melges 32 Class.
"In the end, we managed to win our first major trophy, a dream we have had since entering the class three years ago," said Balestrero. "A very special thanks to the entire GIOGI team. They are all true friends, and I believe this was an essential element of our success. Today we celebrate, but the season isn't over just yet. We look forward to taking to the waters of Cagliari again for the World Championship in one months time."
Behind Balestrero and for the first time ever, in second overall is Luigi Giannattasio (Sebastian Col, tactician) on DONINO. European Champions Edoardo Lupi and Massimo Pessina aboard TORPYONE (Lorenzo Bressani, tactician) finished the Cagliari event in third.
Completing the regatta's all-star Italian winners circle, Martin Reintjes' CAIPIRINHA (Gabriele Benussi, tactician) won the Corinthian Division.
In the wake of Balestrero's total 2018 ranking success, in second place is Vincenzo Onorato's MASCALZONE LATINO (Paul Goodison, tactician), followed by Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio's G.SPOT.
Melges 32 Circuit, Melges Performance Sailboats winners:
2018 - ITA 172 GIOGI, Matteo Balestrero
2017 - MON 181 G.SPOT, Giangiacomo Serena of Lapigio
2016 - SWE 321 INGA, Richard Goransson
2015 - ITA 65 STIG, Alessandro Rombelli
2014 - RUS 13 SYNERGY GT, Valentin Zavadnikov
2013 - ITA 229 BOMBARDA, Andrea Pozzi
2012 - ITA 2121 MASCALZONE LATINO, Vincenzo Onorato
2011 - ENG 212 FANTASTIC, Lanfranco Cirillo
2010 - ITA 23 BLIN, Luca Lalli
2009 - ITA 186 CALVI NETWORK, Carlo Alberini
2008 - ITA 93 TEAM 93 - LET'S ROLL, Claudio Recchi
The Melges World League is supported by Moby, Tirrenia, Helly Hansen, Garmin Marine, North Sails, Toremar, Norda, Lavazza, Rigoni di Asiago and Melges Europe.
Melges World League has signed and adopts the code of ethics of the Charta Smerarlda strongly promoting the values of One Ocean Foundation.
TOP FIVE RESULTS (FINAL - After Seven Races)
1.) (ITA) Matteo Balestrero/Branko Brcin, GIOGI; 1-9-3-4-1-[10]-3 = 21
2.) (ITA) Luigi Giannattasio/Andrea Fornaro, DONINO; 8-3-4-3-[10]-7-1 = 26
3.) (ITA) Edoardo Lupi/Massimo Pessina, TORPYONE; 4-6-[8]-7-2-4-5 = 28
4.) (GER) Fritz Homann/Nico Celon, WILMA; 5-1-6-5-7-5-[8] = 29
5.) (ITA) Vincenzo Onorato/Paul Goodison, MASCALZONE LATINO; 10-5-[13]-1-9-3-2 = 30
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TOP FIVE 2018 MELGES 32 WORLD LEAGUE RANKING (FINAL - After Four Events)
1.) (ITA) Matteo Balestrero/Branko Brcin, GIOGI; 74 pts.
2.) (ITA) Vincenzo Onorato/Paul Goodison, MASCALZONE LATINO; 70 pts
3.) (MON) Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio/Michele Ivaldi; G.SPOT; 63 pts
4.) (GER) Christian Schwoerer/Nick Asher; LA PERICOLOSA; 59 pts
5.) (RUS) Pavel Kuznetsov/Evgeny Nuegodnikov, TAVATUY; 59 pts
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ABOUT THE SPONSORS
The IM32CA would like to extend a very special thanks to the following sponsors who make the 2018 Melges World League European Division racing possible in Cagliari: Moby, Helly Hansen, Garmin Marine, Lavazza, Toremar, North Sails, Norda and Rigoni di Asiago.
ABOUT THE MELGES 32
The Melges 32 is one design racing at its very best. Since 2005, it has successfully delivered bigger, better, more-simplified sailing that is fun and competitive. An exclusive Reichel/Pugh keelboat design, the Melges 32 possesses one of the most diverse regatta schedules that includes many prestigious venues supported by an organized and well-established class association, attracting some of the world's most notable sailing superstars. For more information, visit the International Melges 32 Class Association (IM32CA) at melges32.com.
ABOUT THE MELGES WORLD LEAGUE
The Melges World League is the ultimate one-design competition, uniting the Melges 32 and Melges 20 owners across the globe into one streamlined championship system. It is a season-long series that includes regattas hosted at the world's most desirable venues, featuring sailing's best owner/drivers and Corinthian sailors throughout North America, Europe and Asia. News, results and other info will be published online as it becomes available at melgesworldleague.com.