(MALCESINE, ITALY) – It was just twelve months ago that the first Audi Melges 20 sportboat fleet raced in Europe, yet tomorrow, an incredible 37 boats from a record six nations will square off for the first day of the inaugural Audi Melges 20 Gold Cup in Malcesine, Italy. “We’re so excited to see such a big fleet racing at the Gold Cup so early in the Class’s existence,” said Melges Performance Sailboats President Andy Burdick on his first trip to Lago di Garda. “Even more exciting for me is seeing how friendly everyone is, and the sense of camaraderie shared by everyone in the fleet, from the first-time Melges racer to fifteen-year veterans of sportboat racing.” Burdick, a multiple World and National Champion, won’t be racing in Malcesine, though the fleet certainly doesn’t lack talent; America’s Cup sailors like Matteo Ivaldi, Flavio Favini, and Andrea Felci will battle on the water along with Olympians like Chris Rast, Gabrio Zandona, and Nathan Wilmot.

One first-time Melges 20 racer is British-born Singapore resident Andy Bird, who traveled with his crew nearly 7,000 miles to join the action in Malcesine on his chartered Audi Melges 20. “We’re used to racing similar boats both in England and Singapore, but I’ve been itching to get into a Melges 20 for a while now, and it’s pretty hard to ignore the chance to race such a fun boat in one of the best sailing venues on Earth,” said Bird.

The Englishman isn’t exaggerating – Malcesine provides perhaps the most stunning backdrop in all of sailing – with 2,000-metre peaks towering over the race course, their sheer faces funneling the afternoon Ora breeze right past the historic castle city. “We are truly lucky to have a place like this for the biggest regatta in Audi Melges 20 history,” said Melges Europe President Federico Michetti, who will sail with Stefano di Properizio aboard Hulk along with Australian Olympic Gold Medalist Nathan Wilmot. “I’m just the liasion between the guy yelling in Italian behind me and the guy yelling in Italian in front of me,” Wilmot joked.

Points Crucial For Penultimate Stage Of Series
While bragging rights for the victor of the first Gold Cup are important, the big picture sees Benedetto Giallongo’s Value Team with a strong lead in the Audi Melges 20 Sailing Series, with the final stage in Rimini in 8 weeks. With Series second-place holder Calvi Network missing Malcesine due to other commitments, Giallongo will rely on strong tactics from Enrico “Chicco” Fonda to hold off Luca Domenici’s Notaro Team if he is to become a two-time champion of the Audi Melges 20 Sailing Series. “We have been working hard to get our boatspeed back since we broke our original mast earlier this year,” said Giallongo. “I’m confident that our team can continue to sail consistently well, but the best we can do is cross our fingers, work hard, and hope our decisions keep us at the front of the 2010 Audi series.”

Live Video, World-Class Photos, and Social Networks
Melges Europe welcomes On-The-Water Anarchy to Malcesine for the first time this week for their live streaming video coverage of the 2010 Audi Melges 20 Gold Cup. The US-based sailing broadcasters will film from the grounds of the Fraglia Vela Malcesine while multiple professional photographers contribute high quality photos during each day of racing and the shore team posts up-to-the-minute racing information. “The Audi Melges 20 Class continues to attract more and more attention, and for good reason,” said Burdick. “It’s a blast!”

Please check out the Melges Europe Facebook Page for links to all the exciting video, pictures, results, and reports from Malcesine.

Series Results (After 3 Events)
1.) Benedetto Giallongo, Value Team; 51 pts.
2.) Carlo Alberini, Calvi Network; 53 pts.
3.) Luca Domenici, Team Notaro; 62 pts.
4.) Francesco Farnetti, Reggini Sailing Team; 63 pts.
5.) Renato Vallivero, Turnover; 71 pts.

View Photo Gallery – Meredith Block

Coordinated by Stefano Shiaffino from North Sails Italy, Melges Europe’s Federico Michetti provided the very exciting Audi Melges 20 for demos and test sailing. He will also present the boat in detail. For more information, contact Melges Europe.

Specifically on the 13th of December, the Christmas Regatta will take place organized by the Italian Naval League of Savona and will raise money for the telethon.

During this occasion, Melges Europe will be onsite for Audi Melges 20 demo sessions. President of Melges Europe, Federico Michetti will be at the tune-up and present a complete detailed demonstration. Demos will also be held in Marina di Ravenna.

For those interested, please write an e-mail to info@melgeseurope.com.

During the last week-end the Audi Melges 20 Winter Tune-Up started in Savona. Several teams decided to take advantage of training in the Liguria’s Sea, to get in shape for the next season. While someone is planning the winter holidays, others put the step on the gas to achieve or try to beat the leaders of the last season.

The training day is very tough: going out in the early morning to take the chance of Tramontana, warm up with several speed tests, a lot of starts and shorts races. Well, turned out for the best.

The Audi Melges 20 Winter Tune-Up will go on the next November the 28-29 and it will conclude December the 12-13, with the Christmas Race on the last Sunday 13^th December.

Moreover we rembember you that the free trial of Audi Melges 20 will go on even for the next two planned week end.

For any further information please contact: info@melgeseurope.com

Sailors came from Bayerischer Yacht Club, Munchner Yacht Club, Possenhofener Yacht Club, Munchner Ruder-und Segel-verein and Deutscher Touring Yacht Club — thank you for joining us at the demo day.

Bayerischer Yacht Club is sponsored by Audi and Melges Europe. An Audi Melges 20 Sailing Series event is anticipated at this venue in 2010.

View The Official Photo Gallery From This Exclusive Demo Weekend

Demo sail line is getting longer. Motorboats will be bringing/rotating crews out on the water every 20-30 minutes.

Everyone is cordially invited!!! Please contact the Bayerischer Yacht Club, or Federico Michetti, or Luisa Bambozzi.

Be sure to also get your copy of the International Audi Melges 2o Class Rules