Reichel/Pugh wishes a warm congratulations to all competitors at the 2016 Melges 20 Worlds.
Reichel/Pugh wishes a warm congratulations to all competitors at the 2016 Melges 20 Worlds.
Scarlino, Italy (August 28, 2016) – The last day of competition in Scarlino came to a dramatic close with two final races and Michael Illbruck on Pinta with tactician John Kostecki, and trimmer Federico Michetti becoming the 2016 Melges 20 World Champions! Hosted by Marina di Scarlino/Club Nautico Scarlino, the World Championship was the most successful to date featuring four days of racing at a stunning venue with more than 200 athletes.
"It’s a fantastic feeling, a very important result that I dedicate to my father Willy who founded over 40 years ago and built, success after success the story of Pinta Racing, which continues today on the Melges 20,” said a joyful Michael Illbruck post racing. “For us, this first season of racing with the Melges 20 was to be just one step closer to the goal we set ourselves, that is the World Cup in 2017 in Newport, but we worked hard and now we can celebrate this incredible achievement today." Adding, “I have to let this sink in. In the history of Pinta it’s a big win… this is something very special.”
Federico Michetti, trimmer of Pinta, is now the only sailor who boast the World title in all Melges classes. Off the water he explained that, “the team was really focused on the journey, meaning keep working, enjoy time together, enjoy sailing together, without too much pressure on the results. Today was the time to stop thinking about the journey and try to win this regatta. We made it. It’s a fantastic feeling.”
John Kostecki, who has been working with the Illbruck family for 22 years, talked about “the journey” and mentioned that their plan has been to look long-term, “This is Michael’s first year of sailing the Melges 20s, putting in the hard time like the rest of the top guys with the goal of winning the world championship next year…I guess we managed to win it a year early!”
In the all-amatuer Corinthian division, the World title goes to Emanuele Savoini at the helm of Evinrude with his young team of Enzio Savoini, Marco Giannini, and Giovanna Massidda.
Source Interviews with Barracuda Communications and Melges 20 Class
Title Image © Barracuda Communications
Click to view 2016 Melges 20 World Championship Media Centre
TOP TEN RESULTS (FINAL- After Eight Races, One Discard)
1.) Michael Illbruck, Pinta; 7-1-1-6-5--5-2 = 27
2.) Drew Freides, Pacific Yankee; 6-2-5-4-2-3-12- = 34
3.) Krzysztof Krempec, Mag Tiny; 12-5-3--22-2-1-1 = 46
4.) Liam Kilroy, Wildman; 13-4-22-1-3--3-5 = 51
5.) Achille Onorato, Mascalzone Latino, Jr.; 4-6-9-3--4-8-26 = 60
6.) Rob Wilber, Cinghiale; 9-16-4-25-1-12-13- = 80
7.) Guido Miani, Out of Reach; 18-23-2-15-11-11--9 = 88
8.) Alessandro Rombelli, STIG; 25-18-6-2-19-8--13 = 91
9.) Richard Davies, Section 16; 16-12-11-11-18-10--15 = 93
10.) Igor Rytov, Russian Bogatyrs; 1-30-15-22-27--6-3 = 104