The Melges 24 Fleet Makes Its Fifth Return to Portoroz
After the 2018 season opener in Punta Ala in March, the international Melges 24 fleet gets back on the water – this time moving to the Adriatic Sea and benefiting from the wonderful hospitality of Yacht Club Marina Portoroz, where from April 27th to 29th the second event of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2018 will be raced, in coincidence with the Alpe Adria Cup.
The Yacht Club Marina Portorož is a hive of activity today, as the 25-boat international fleet taking part in the 10th Marina Portorož Melges 24 Race, continue their preparations ahead of the start at noon. Among them are the Hungarians aboard FGF Sailing Team HUN728 with Robert Bakoczy in helm and the current holders of the Corinthian World Champion title, the Italian crew of Taki 4 ITA778 by Marco Zammarchi with Niccolò Bertola in helm.
From the Corinthian podium positions of Punta Ala, also Akos Csolto's Seven-Five-Nine HUN759 and Gill Race Team GBR694 of Miles Quinton-Geoff Carveth tandem will make their return to Portoroz, trying to gain important points looking forward to the final overall ranking of the circuit.
Among the new entries at their first appearance in 2018, we find Gian Luca Perego's Maidollis ITA854 with Carlo Fracassoli-Enrico Fonda tandem, World Champion in Helsinki 2017, and the former Corinthian World Champions on board of Estonian boat Lenny EST790, with Tõnu Tõniste helming. Also, wonderful to see a team from USA participating Portoroz regatta – Mike Goldfarb's War Canoe USA841 from the Corinthian Club Seattle.
The fleet will miss the Corinthian winner of past two years in Portoroz – Kesbeke/SIKA/Gill NED827 with Roland Veraar in helm and the next winner can now leave their footprints on the Hall of Fame of the traditional Melges 24 Portoroz regatta.
Entries have been drawn from Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland and USA, which promises a tremendous competition for owners and crew alike.
