DIFFICULT CONDITIONS FAVOUR CORINTHIANS

The Marina Portorož Melges 24 Regatta, first event in the 2019 Melges 24 European Sailing Series, started with a delay on shore until the southerly wind wrinkled the bay. Thirty teams representing ten nations from all over the Europe managed to complete three races with team Lenny emerging as the early leader.

Heavy storm and rain during the night, which raised the water level of the sea up to the marina buildings, was calming down for the morning, however keeping the temperature at very low degrees. The day started with a Skippers' Meeting where the Principal Race Officer David Bartol was explaining the plan for the upcoming days and introduced the International Jury chaired by Uros Zvan. Due to the lack of wind, the first start, planned for 12.00, was postponed ashore. Then wind picked up and the AP was lowered before midday.

PRO David Bartol admitted it was quite a hard day. “There was enough wind when we went out to the race course – about 10-12 knots, but the breeze was still shifty, with jumps even at 40-50 degrees, so much that we cancelled the starting procedure with AP flag a couple of times. The first race got started about at 3 pm finally. After the races got started, there was no need to change the course anymore. Races were about forty minutes long, but the sailors were content with the length of the races for the first regatta of the season."

The first bullet of the season was taken by past Corinthian World and European Champion Tõnu Tõniste's Lenny EST790 followed by another Corinthian team of Sergio Caramel Arkanoe by Montura ITA809. Third place was taken by Vasyl Gureyev's Arctur from Ukraine UKR661.

Next two races were won by 2018 Melges 24 Corinthian European 3rd best team of Akos Csolto on Seven Five Nine HUN759. With Lenny as first and Arkanoe by Montura as second, these three teams are completing the provisional podium of the regatta, being also the Top 3 of the Corinthian ranking.