| MARSEILLE, FRANCE-(12-4-2004) Last racing day at the SNIM 2004. Why do regattas have to end, anyway? Why not keep the very cheerful atmosphere of the first day, when every crew is preparing their boat, is happy to meet the others again, and everything seems to be possible for everybody. Then the routine of getting up in the morning, grabbing some fresh bread for breakfast and for sandwiches, getting the water for the day, diving for cleaning the boat (did anybody forget to do it in the Port of Marseilles?), checking the weather forecast, the committee board, preparing the sails, … It seems that it could be every day so until the end of your life! But for some signals from your sore muscles or aching back sometimes, reminding you that maybe a short break may be welcome…
Anyway the Melges sailors had 2 races today, with a West wind (270 to 300) of about 10 knots, rising slightly from the first to the second race. Some impatience today among the fleet that forced the committee to have 2 `black flag` procedures. In addition a lot of protests were made on the water though they never got confirmed finally due to the priority given by the crews to craning their boat.
The first race is won by Partners & Partners making a clear demonstration of their domination and confirming the general feeling of the whole regatta. Just behind them Fire Bolt confirms if needed that their performance of yesterday is not `just by chance` and that we definitely have to count them among the top level performers. Alina is third.
In the second race Egidio Babbi wins, on Citta di Cesena, sponsored by Ebrex Logistics and Grundig. He is followed by Siste Stein from Norway and Gill. Egidio is very happy about the day, and in general about the progression of his new amateur crew during the regatta. He makes also special thanks to the committee president who managed the regatta in a very professional way, giving an optimal programme to the racers.
As a synthesis the day brings no change to the Top 4 of yesterday : P&P, Blue Moon, Joe Fly and Gill. As announced the French Class is granting tonight 2 special awards :
One for the skippers-owners :
1st : Kenneth Thelen Suunto Finland
2nd : Petrus Eide Lek Norway
3rd : Kristian Nergaard Baghdad Norway
A special bravo to the Scandinavian fleet for their participation (3 Fins, 3 Norwegians and 2 Swedes).
The other for the best amateur newcomer :
Conte of Florence Arturo Mazzanti Italy
Conte of Florence is a crew of amateur friends, former sailors in J24 and Beneteau 25. They chose the Melges 24 class for its evident dynamics, its competitiveness and rich calendar. The helmsman of the boat, Andrea Magni (exceptionally replaced here by Fabio Ascoli) is also organizer of the Volco Cup Melges circuit in Italy (Alassio, Torbole, Nazionale italiano, Rimini and Domaso on the Lake of Côme).
For the curious who have access to French TV, a special emission of France 3 is dedicated to the Melges at the SNIM tonight.
Next French step in the circuit : La Semaine de la Rochelle from the 19th to the 23rd of May. Next European steps : Torbole (7-10th of May), UK National (Torbay 2nd to 5th of June) and Italian National (24th to 27th of June in Scarlino-Follonica).
And the party goes on…
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