Melges 20 Worlds: triumph for Samba Pa Ti, Italians do well

American John Kilroy’s Samba Pa Ti (also with Italian Martino Tortarolo on board) won the Audi Melges 20 World Championship in Riva del Garda. A good win, achieved through consistency: 7 out of 10 results, in fact, are within 4th place. As many as 57 crews from 11 nations (Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Italy, Monaco, Czech Republic, Russia, Switzerland and the U.S.) took part in the event.

SO MANY ITALIANS AT THE TOP
On the place of honor came Achille Onorato’s Mascalzone Latino Jr., tactician the Australian Malcolm Page and Trieste’s Stefano Ciampalini as crew, while third place went to Guido Miani’s Monaco Racing Fleet assisted by Gabriele Benussi at tactician and Massimo Gherarducci at the bow. In short, there is a lot of Italy at the top of the class. Immediately at the foot of the podium, in fourth place, the Japanese of Mamma Aiuto! heeled in fifth place by Shimmer of the U.S.A.’s Russ Lucas (Harry Melges and Federico Michetti on crew), while in sixth place finished Dario Levi with Fremito D’Arja.

GARDA IDEAL LOCATION
Thus Melges Europe president Federico Michetti: “The commitment of the main sponsor Audi, together with the joint effort of BPSE, Fraglia Vela Riva and the Melges Europe staff enabled the organization of a memorable event and a reception of the highest level appreciated by all crews and in particular by the 35 foreign teams from around the world. Garda has once again proven to be the ideal location for managing events of this caliber.”