Fuente info Scuttlebutt europe
UKA UKA Racing Win Melges 24 European Championship
Hyeres, France: The 2009 Melges 24 European Championship came to a thrilling conclusion on the last day of racing in Hyeres. Despite overnight leaders UKA UKA Racing, owned by Lorenzo Santini and steered by Lorenzo Bressani, carrying a seven point lead into today's single final race, the threat from second placed Alina, owned by Maurizio Abba and helmed by Nicolo Bianchi, was a very real one. To add an extra dimension to the proceedings, Franco Rossini's Blu Moon steered by Flavio Favini, were positioned in third overall and although twelve points adrift of Alina, were well within realistic striking distance. After a short delay to allow the breeze to fill in, racing got under way under clear blue skies and in a shifty breeze which peaked at just under ten knots.
As UKA UKA Racing approached the line in fourth place it was clear to see the mixture of relief and elation on the crew's faces. Crossing the line to cheers from the spectators they all jumped instantly to their feet in celebration of their confirmation as 2009 Melges 24 European Champions and winners of the Giorgio Zuccoli Trophy. Their win creates a piece of unique Melges 24 history, as Lorenzo Bressani becomes the first helm to ever hold the World and European titles concurrently.
Overnight Corinthian Division leaders, the Norwegian Storm Capital Sail Racing Team syndicate with their helmsman Sivert Dinneche, cruised to a thirty-one point overall Corinthian victory, despite their untypical seventeenth place today, and claim the Menno Meyer Corinthian Trophy and a Tacktick Maxi.
Attention now turns to their forthcoming World Championship in the USA at Annapolis, Maryland this coming October 23-31.
www.m24european2009.com
www.melges24worlds2009.com
