July
2018
Sikon's in the lead at the first day of the One Ocean Melges 40 Grand Prix
Porto Cervo, July 5, 2018. The Japanese team aboard Yukihiro Ishida's Sikon, with Mallorcan Manuel Weiller as tactician, has ended the first of four days of racing at the One Ocean Melges 40 Grand Prix in the lead. The event is organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.
Sikon had an especially good day placing third, first and second in the three races run today in optimal conditions. Mistral wind built gradually from 12 knots in the first race to 18 in the following ones. It was a close and hard fought day on the water thanks to a very well balanced fleet: three different teams placed first today, proof that any team can capture the lead at this event.
The first race saw Richard Goransson's Swedish team (with Cameron Appleton as tactician) in the lead, proof that team Inga is still in top form after winning the 2018 season's opening Grand Prix at PalmaVela. Inga captured the lead on the first run taking advantage of the fact that Sikon broke their gennaker and finished first in front of the Principality of Monaco's Dynamiq Synergy owned by Valentin Zavadnikov with Kelvin Harrap as tactician and Sikon in third place.
Sikon recovered her pride in the second race and was first right from the start followed by the Italian team aboard Andrea Lacorte's Vitamina Cetilar with Gabriele Benussi tactician and Inga in third place.
The day's final race saw Stig, owned by Alessandro Rombelli with Luna Rossa's Francesco Bruni tactician, return to the form that brought them to victory last year here in Porto Cervo, where they won the event.
Manuel Weiller, tactician aboard Sikon - “Today we are in the lead but more than anything else it was been a great day of sailing, one of the best yet for the Melges 40 Class. Conditions were ideal and the beautiful course was perfect for letting the Melges 40 fleet show its stuff neck to neck in a compact fleet. Sikon is looking good and now we're going to sail to defend our leadership. The upcoming days are going to be really hard fought”.Racing will continue tomorrow, July 6th, with the first start scheduled for 1 pm. The forecast calls for westerly winds at 20-25 knots.
Quantum Sails is the event's Technical Partner.
For more information, the entry list, technical documents and results visit the YCCS website or contact the Press Office.
Contacts:
YCCS Press Office
Marialisa Panu/Giuliano Luzzatto
Tel. +39 0789 902223
