This is truly an accomplishment within itself, as only once before has the Class been witness to a double, back-to-back World Champion. In 2013/2014 it was Jason Carroll's ARGO, today it is Russia's Pavel Kuznetsov.

The last day in Cagliari brought on more light air conditions making only one race possible. For the start, it was an "all or nothing" situation as both Matteo Balestrero's GIOGI (Branko Brcin, tactician) and Kuznetsov squared off and went to the mattresses.

Very decisively, Kuznetsov immediately went right while his opponent opted for the opposite side. As the fleet approached the top weathermark, a slight rotation in the wind tipped the scales in Kuznetsov's favor, who already had a comfortable lead. Balestrero on the other hand, found himself out of the top ten and with penalty, desperate to stay ahead of third place finisher Martin Reintjes' CAIPIRINHA (Gabrielle Benussi, tactician).

Balestrero did well to finish the race in tenth, finishing the event in second overall. For Kuznetsov, a celebration at the finish line meant he would be World Champion for a second time.

"It fills us with great pride to still be World Champions!" said Kuznetsov post racing. "This is a victory that has been building throughout the season. We suffered and struggled with our results early on, but we learned a lot from our weaknesses, keeping in mind that defending our World title was the goal. This victory is very different from last year as it was tremendously difficult - there could be no mistakes, and with only four races it would have been next to impossible to recover from a bad result. The success we feel today comes from having great discipline, control and patience as the Worlds is so different from any other event we race all year long."

Congratulations also goes to 2018 Corinthian Melges 32 World Champion Kilian Holzapfel's HOMANIT with tactician Jolbert van Dijk, and crew members Nikolaus Beulke, Albert Buitenhuis, Jeroen Hameter, Robin Jacobs, Maximilian Stein and Joshua Weber. They bested runner up Alessandro Lotto Flavio Campana on DUMBOVIT, followed by Carlo Babini Merlo sailing SKADI in third.

The Melges 32 World Championship is supported by Moby, Tirrenia, Helly Hansen, Garmin Marine, North Sails, Toremar, Norda, Lavazza, Rigoni di Asiago and Melges Europe.

Melges World League has signed and adopts the code of ethics of the Charta Smerarlda strongly promoting the values of One Ocean Foundation.

MEDIA AND RACING COVERAGE
As with all Melges 32 events around the world, racing updates will be posted online at the Official Melges 32 Facebook Page. Tune in for the latest racing information, results, video interviews, and photos. Race reports, press releases and photos will be available online each day post-racing at melges32.com.

TOP FIVE RESULTS (FINAL - After Four Races)
1.) (RUS) Pavel Kuznetsov/Evgeny Neugodnikov, TAVATUY; 4-1-2-1 = 8
2.) (ITA) Matteo Balestrero/Branko Brcin, GIOGI; 2-4-1-10 = 17
3.) (ITA) Martin Rientjes/Gabrielle Benussi, CAIPIRINHA; 3-3-4-8 = 18
4.) (ITA) Edoardo Lupi/Massimo Pessina/Lorenzo Bressani, TORPYONE; 5-6-9-2 = 22
5.) (GER) Christian Schwoerer/Nik Asher, LA PERICOLOSA; 1-11-6-6 = 24
Full Results  
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MELGES 32 WORLD CHAMPIONS
2018 - Cagliari (RUS) - Pavel Kuznetsov, TAVATUY
2017 - Cala Galera (RUS) - Pavel Kuznetsov, TAVATUY
2016 - Newport (USA) - Ryan DeVos, VOLPE
2015 - Trapani (ITA) - Alessandro Rombelli, STIG
2014 - Miami (USA) - Jason Carroll, ARGO
2013 - Porto Rotondo (USA) - Jason Carroll, ARGO
2012 - Newport (USA) - John Kilroy, Jr., SAMBA PA TI
2011 - Palma de Mallorca - William Douglass, GOOMBAY SMASH
2010 - San Francisco (ITA) - Luca Lalli, B-LIN
2009 - Porto Cervo (USA) - Pieter Taselaar, BLIKSEM

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2018 Melges 32 World Championship - Cagliari, Italy
2018 Melges 32 World Champion - Pavel Kuznetsov, TAVATUY

2018 Melges 32 World Championship - Cagliari, Italy
Matteo Balestrero, GIOGI

2018 Melges 32 World Championship - Cagliari, Italy
Overall Podium

2018 Melges 32 World Championship - Cagliari, Italy
Corinthian Podium

Race Three proved to be the perfect match-up between Balestrero and Kuznetsov. After hours of waiting for raceable, light air conditions, a very nervous fleet started the one and only race of the day with two general recalls, then the inevitable black flag start. Balestrero was quick to get out front and extend for the win. Kuznetsov on the other hand lagged behind until about mid-race. An aggresive run to the finish put Kuznetsov across the line in second, just moments ahead of Vincenzo Onorato's MASCALZONE LATINO (Paul Goodison, tactician) in third.

The general fight however is far from over. Martin Reintjes' CAIPIRINHA (Gabriele Benussi, tactician) is seated only three points out from the top two leaders.

Mathematically speaking, there is a slim possibility that fourth overall Christian Schwoerer at the helm of LA PERICOLOSA (Nik Asher, tactician), and fifth place Edoardo Pavesio's FRA MARTINA (Manu Weiller, tactician) could easily find themselves in the running to win as well, at minimum a spot on the top three podium.

Kilian Holzapfel at the helm of HOMANIT is the leader of the Corinthian division.

It will be an early start for the fleet on the final day with a warning at 0900.

The Melges 32 World Championship is supported by Moby, Tirrenia, Helly Hansen, Garmin Marine, North Sails, Toremar, Norda, Lavazza, Rigoni di Asiago and Melges Europe.

Melges World League has signed and adopts the code of ethics of the Charta Smerarlda strongly promoting the values of One Ocean Foundation.

MEDIA AND RACING COVERAGE
As with all Melges 32 events around the world, racing updates will be posted online at the Official Melges 32 Facebook Page. Tune in for the latest racing information, results, video interviews, and photos. Race reports, press releases and photos will be available online each day post-racing at melges32.com.

TOP FIVE RESULTS (PRELIMINARY - After Three Races)
1.) (ITA) Matteo Balestrero/Branko Brcin, GIOGI; 2-4-1 = 7
2.) (RUS) Pavel Kuznetsov/Evgeny Neugodnikov, TAVATUY; 4-1-2 = 7
3.) (ITA) Martin Rientjes/Gabrielle Benussi, CAIPIRINHA; 3-3-4 = 10
4.) (GER) Christian Schwoerer/Nik Asher, LA PERICOLOSA; 1-11-6 = 18
5.) (ITA) Edoardo Pavesio/Manu Weiller, FRA MARTINA; 6-5-7 = 18
Full Results
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2018 Melges 32 World Championship - Cagliari, Italy
Pavel Kuznetsov, TAVATUY

2018 Melges 32 World Championship - Cagliari, Italy

"Today was a very long and complicated day. Fortunately, we were able to be strong and focused," said TAVATUY tactician Evgeny Neugodnikov. "This is just the beginning and we have got off onto the right foot. Tomorrow we will be keeping an eye on our opponents. Each race is a story within itself. We will try to keep this pace."

With massive waves and 15 knots of breeze out of the East, the first round of racing brought Germany's Christian Schwoerer's at the helm of LA PERICOLOSA with tactician Nik Asher to the front of the pack at the first weathermark, then extended to make it an awesome race win. Right behind, a fierce battle between Matteo Balestrero's GIOGI (Branko Brcin, tactician) and reigning World Champ Kuznetsov resulted in respective second and third place finishes.

Race Two went decisively to Kuznetsov, who had no difficulty dominating fleet newcomer and second place finisher Roberto Monti on AIR IS ESSENTIAL, followed by Martin Reintjes' CAIPIRINHA with Gabriele Benussi on tactics in third.

Only six points separate the top five teams with Kuznetsov ahead by one. Balestrero and Reintjes finish the day tied with six points each in second and third overall respectively. Five points further back, Edoardo Pavesio's FRA MARTINA, and the dynamic duo of Edoardo Lupi and Massimo Pessina aboard TORPYONE round out the top five.

Racing continues on Friday, October 19 with a warning signal at noon.

The Melges 32 World Championship is supported by Moby, Tirrenia, Helly Hansen, Garmin Marine, North Sails, Toremar, Norda, Lavazza, Rigoni di Asiago and Melges Europe.

Melges World League has signed and adopts the code of ethics of the Charta Smerarlda strongly promoting the values of One Ocean Foundation.

MEDIA AND RACING COVERAGE
As with all Melges 32 events around the world, racing updates will be posted online at the Official Melges 32 Facebook Page. Tune in for the latest racing information, results, video interviews, and photos. Race reports, press releases and photos will be available online each day post-racing at melges32.com.

TOP FIVE RESULTS (PRELIMINARY - After Two Races)
1.) (RUS) Pavel Kuznetsov/Evgeny Neugodnikov, TAVATUY; 4-1 = 5
2.) (ITA) Matteo Balestrero/Branko Brcin, GIOGI; 2-4 = 6
3.) (ITA) Martin Rientjes/Gabrielle Benussi, CAIPIRINHA; 3-3 = 6
4.) (ITA) Edoardo Pavesio/Manu Weiller, FRA MARTINA; 6-5 = 11
5.) (ITA) Edoardo Lupi/Massimo Pessina/Lorenzo Bressani, TORPYONE; 5-6 = 11
Full Results  
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Matteo Balestrero, GIOGI

Martin Reintjes, CAIPIRINHA

Eighteen teams representing eight nations (Germany, Italy, Japan, Monaco, Norway, Poland, Russia and Switzerland) are in attendance. Of those teams, it is highly anticipated that an Italian victor could be the predictable winner. From 2018 Melges 32 World League, European Champion Matteo Balestrero's GIOGI (Branko Brcin, tactician), to the legendary Vincenzo Onorato's MASCALZONE LATINO (Paul Goodison, tactician), and of course to 2017 European Champs Edoardo Lupi and Massimo Pessina's TORPYONE (Lorenzo Bressani, tactician), all eyes will be watching as this is the one title that has eluded them all so far.

Defending Champion Pavel Kuznetsov at the helm of TAVATUY is back for more with the ultimate goal of claiming yet another amazing World Championship victory. His ability to dominate, navigate and achieve World Championship success is obvious as last year he was able to interrupt the USA/Italy binomial on the Class' Hall of Fame.

Edoardo and Vanni Pavesio aboard FRA MARTINA (Manu Weiller, tactician), Class President Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio's G.SPOT (Michele Ivaldi, tactician), Martin Reintjes' CAIPIRINHA (Gabriele Benussi, tactician), Fritz Homann's WILMA (Nico Celon, tactician) and Norway's Lasse Petterson aboard PIPPA (Matteo Ivaldi, tactician) are also among those favored to do well.

The International Melges 32 Class Association (IM32CA) is thrilled to welcome back Japan's Keisuke Suzuki's SWING for the Worlds.

Two extraordinary teams have qualified for the Class' Corinthian division - Alessandro Lotto Flavio Campana at the helm of DUMBOVIT, and Germany's Kilian Holzapfel's HOMANIT.

Ten races will be conducted over four days, with the first warning taking place on Wednesday, October 17.

The Melges 32 World Championship is supported by Moby, Tirrenia, Helly Hansen, Garmin Marine, North Sails, Toremar, Norda, Lavazza, Rigoni di Asiago and Melges Europe.

Melges World League has signed and adopts the code of ethics of the Charta Smerarlda strongly promoting the values of One Ocean Foundation.

MEDIA AND RACING COVERAGE
As with all Melges 32 events around the world, racing updates will be posted online at the Official Melges 32 Facebook Page. Tune in for the latest racing information, results, video interviews, and photos. Race reports, press releases and photos will be available online each day post-racing at melges32.com.

MELGES 32 WORLD CHAMPIONS
2017 - Cala Galera (RUS) - Pavel Kuznetsov, TAVATUY
2016 - Newport (USA) - Ryan DeVos, VOLPE
2015 - Trapani (ITA) - Alessandro Rombelli, STIG
2014 - Miami (USA) - Jason Carroll, ARGO
2013 - Porto Rotondo (USA) - Jason Carroll, ARGO
2012 - Newport (USA) - John Kilroy, Jr., SAMBA PA TI
2011 - Palma de Mallorca (USA) - William Douglass, GOOMBAY SMASH
2010 - San Francisco (ITA) - Luca Lalli, B-LIN
2009 - Porto Cervo (USA) - Pieter Taselaar, BLIKSEM
Visit the Official Event Yachtscoring Website
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2018 Melges 32 World Championship - Cagliari, Italy
Vincenzo Onorato, MASCALZONE LATINO

2018 Melges 32 World Championship - Cagliari, Italy
Matteo Balestrero, GIOGI

2018 Melges 32 World Championship - Cagliari, Italy
Edoardo Lupi/Massimo Pessina, TORYPYONE

2018 Melges 32 World Championship - Cagliari, Italy

Finally, Day 1 of this 2018 Melges 32 World Championship is coming!!!

Please see the following official events schedule:

Wednesday 17th October
10.30: Skipper briefing
13.00: First Warning Signal

Thursday 18th October
Races - Warning sinal TBA
Regatta Dinner - confirm your attendance to Giulia

Friday 19th October
Races - Warning sinal TBA

Saturday 20th October
Races - Warning sinal TBA
Prize giving

USEFUL LINKS
YachtScoring Event Page
Sailing Instructions
Notice of Race

The 2018 Melges 32 World Championship is about to start...

The opening crew party is happening tonight: you can’t miss it!

We wait for you at 9.30 p.m. at the Rinascente Lounge Bar, Via Roma 143, last floor!

Lot of fun and celebrations are granted!

Please remember that tomorrow, Tuesday 16th, we will have the Owners Breakfast at 9.15 @HUBLOT BAR.

USEFUL LINKS:
YachtScoring Event Page
Sailing Instruction
Notice of Race