International Melges 32 Class Blog

After a monumental day and turn of events on the water in Palma at the 2011 Melges 32 World Championship, all have arrived at RCNP for the final showdown between John Kilroy’s Samba Pa Ti, William Douglass’ Goombay Smash and Lanfranco Cirillo’s Fantastica. One very slim point separates them from one another and the grand title of Melges 32 World Champion.

Currently in Palma it is raining. Although it is light, everyone expects to get some racing in, at least one race. It is understood there will be breeze.

Thousands of photos have been collected throughout the last few days. Enjoy:
Photo Galleries
Real Club Nautico de Palma, Nico Martinez
International Melges 32 Class Association, Joy Dunigan
Professional Photographer, Max Ranchi
Professional Photographer, Ainhou Sanchez
Professional Photographer, Ruben Ballester

Video Interviews - Courtesy of Zerogradinord.it
View The Complete Library of Interviews & Daily Highlight Reels

We are on the brink of Day 3 in Palma at the 2011 Melges 32 World Championship, where there are plenty of mixed reports of no breeze, could be light breeze and more than expected breeze forecasts abound on the docks. The majority chatter is it will be lighter than light. Less than Tuesday. If that is the case (as the AP flag is up on land), perhaps the standings will witness another shake-up. Light air has a tendency to stir things up. Teams prefer breeze.

Entertainment — Americans William Douglass (Goombay Smash) and Steve Howe (Warpath) showed up with drum in hand this morning, cigarette lit bringing an ecentric and light-hearted approach to the event. Others looked on with big smiles.

SOME GOOD NEWS — we’ll see.
Tuesday, we were able to squeeze some announcements out onto Facebook, so do stay there for sure. We’ll try again, and hope to make a successful connection. We’ll keep trying to post more full blurbs here on the blog.

This week will be filled with birthdays — Happy Birthday Sam Rogers on Sicktrix and to Ms. Katherine, wife of John Kilroy… Jason Carroll celebrates on September 24th!

Full Results
Melges 32 Photo Galleries

Lighter conditions are in the forecast for the second day of racing in Palma at the Melges 32 World Championship. At the time of this post, the AP flag is still in position on the pole, although teams have started to head out to the course anyway. Lounging by the pool in the very warm Spanish sunshine apparently was too low key, so several team are making their way out to the course…

With the commencement of the 2011 Melges 32 World Championship in Palma, links to photos and interviews are coming in from all directions. A very special thanks to Mauro Melandri and his Zerogradinord Video Team for interviews, and to Max Ranchi and Nico Martinez for some lovely shots of Day 1.

Photo Gallery:
Nico Martinez, Official Photographer for Real Club Nautico de Palma
Max Ranchi, Professional Photographer
Joy Dunigan, Official Photographer for 2011 Melges 32 Worlds & IM32CA

Unfortunately the internet connection on the water is just not capable of uploads from the course, while the fleet is racing. So, we’ll keep trying but the likelihood of being able to bring coverage from on the water is going to be slim to none. Sorry…

Recap — Yasha Samurai won race 1, Mascalzone Latino second, Argo third, Warpath fourth and Samba Pa Ti finished fifth. Race two: Samba knocked it out of the park with a grand slam lead to take the second race with a substantial lead. Full story and press release will publish online at melges32.com later.

In one word, we think, onboard with Samba Pa Ti… A W E S O M E!
See more videos from Zerogradinord.it at YouTube.

©2011 Jesus Renedo

Without a doubt the Melges 32 is the darling of Copa Del Rey Audi Mapfre. Much press and media has surrounded the Melges 32 including candid owner interviews, television highlights and worldwide attention.
Interview: Luca Lalli, Helmsman and 2010 Melges 32 World Champion
The Melges 32 Captivates Copa Del Rey Audi Mapfre
Video Interviews from Zerogradinord.it
Coverage On Sailing Anarchy

Photos have also been supplied by some of the World’s most outstanding photographers!
Ruben Ballester
Nico Martinez
Jesus Renedo

Palma de Mallorca, Spain – On one hand, Jason Carroll’s Argo took on the day with a 2-3 score line, in an attempt to defend his lead in the Melges 32 fleet at Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre, organized by the Real Club Nautico de Palma. On the other, an incredible effort by John Kilroy’s Samba Pa Ti scored two bullets today, climbing up the leaderboard to finish in overall third. Read Full Article

Luca Lalli is 28 years old, an experienced 470er sailor, and Melges 32 World Champion (San Francisco 2010). The stick of his B-Lin Sailing.com reads ‘The Show Must Go On’, something likely to occur judging from the boat’s line up, which includes Italy’s two top skippers: Lorenzo Bressani, ex-helmsman of Luna Rossa’s America’s Cup 2000, 2003 and 2007 campaigns is calling tactics, whereas Flavio “Favione” Favini, also with three America’s Cup campaigns to his credit, is mainsail trimmer. Read The Full Interview

After two races in Copa Del Rey, Jason Carroll aboard Argo with tactician Cameron Appleton has a firm lead in Palma. In second overall is reigning World Champion Luca Lalli and tactician Lorenzo Bressani on B-Lin Sailing. Great Britain’s Oscar Strugstad aboard Dawn Raid with Andy Beadsworth on tactics is currently ranked third overall.
View Full Results (After 2 races)

Photos are now posted online, courtesy of Ruben Ballester. View Full Photo Gallery