The Melges 24 summer season has been started in style. The first Volvo Cup event in San Remo Italy kicked off the season last weekend. Scheduled races from Friday to Sunday. All together 55 boats from 15 different nations. A mixture for a superb race.
The first Volvo event was dominated by the Italians - top 5 boats were all Italia. In the top 20 there were 7 different nation boats. So the fight in the second Volvo event will be even better.
From our fleet three boats competed: "Lenny" EST 790 helmed by Tõnu Tõniste, "Betfair pwd by Flow" FIN 742 helmed by Tomi Hakola and "Makia" FIN 425 helmed by Matias Seppovaara. For "Makia" FIN 425 this Volvo events was their international debut.
Through out the entire weekend it was more or less waiting for wind. But the weather was fantastic - blue sky, 8-12 degrees and winds coming in from S - SW. When the wind filled in the velocity was appr 8 to 12 knots.
Lenny had a two sided weekend - placings 35, 5, 8, 31, 4. Three good results in the top 10 and two mistakes. A overall 9th is a good platform to start the World Championship year.
Betfair pwd by Flow had a steady performance - placings 20, 10, 22, 30, 5. Two top 10 placings and two in the twenties and one mistake. A overall 15th is a excellent playground to continue their project.
Makia in their first big international event - placings 45, 50, 44, 49, 35. The team needs more international level competition to get their act together. The starting in this size of a fleet is crucial, you have to be in the front row to fight in the top 30´s. But overall a good act for Makia.
CLICK HERE for the first Volvo Cup results