Rombelli extends lead at Melges 40 Valencia Grand Prix

by Melges 40 on 14 Oct 2017 Day Three in Valencia, Spain at the 2017 Melges 40 Grand Prix hosted by Real Club Nautico de Palma in collaboration with La Marine de Valencia produced another three races, ultimately giving overnight event leader Alessandro Rombelli and tactician Francesco Bruni aboard STIG the opportunity to extend their lead by an impressive seven points.

Rombelli once again came on strong hammering a super-solid one – one - two daily scoreline to secure the lead for a second day in a row. The intensity of his performance was also met with more wind in the 13-15 knots range. This acted as an accelerator making the canting keel duels at the mark tighter than tight and really spectacular.

Standing firm in second place is Valentin Zavadnikov's Dynamiq - Synergy Sailing Team with Ed Baird in charge of tactics. Race Seven was tough for Zavadnikov, but a steady second place finish in Race Six, and a third in Race Eight enabled him to remain just behind Rombelli in the standings.

Literally speaking, it was moving day for Richard Goransson's INGA with Cameron Appleton as tactician. A triumphant return to the winner's circle with a bullet in Race Eight upped Goransson to third on countback, while Yukihiro Ishida's Sikon inevitably slipped to fourth.

Tomorrow teams return to the Valencia battlefield for the last two races of the scheduled ten-part Melges 40 Grand Prix series. Regardless of who makes the podium, Rombelli's domination will be a tough one to beat.

The Melges 40 Grand Prix is proudly supported by Helly Hansen, North Sails, Garmin Marine, Yacht Moving and Barracuda Communication.

Full Results (Preliminary - After Eight Races)

1.) Alessandro Rombelli/Francesco Bruni; ITA-4, STIG; 2-1-[3]-1-1-1-1-2 = 9
2.) Valentin Zavadnikov/Ed Baird; MON-13, DYNAMIQ - SYNERGY SAILING TEAM; 1-2-2-[4]-2-2-4-3 = 16
3.) Richard Goransson/Cameron Appleton; SWE-42, INGA; [4]-4-4-2-3-3-3-1 = 20
4.) Yukihiro Ishida/Chris Rast; JPN-40, SIKON; 3-3-1-3-[4]-4-2-4 = 20