Joe Woods Crowned Melges 32 European Champion

Cagliari, Italy; 16 May 2010 - Joe Woods on Red, with Paul Goodison on tactics wins the 2010 Audi Melges 32 European Championship.

On the final day, in mistral conditions that had no boundaries, Woods hit the fleet hard resisting fierce attacks from those, who at the end of the Championship accompanied him on the podium, Lanfranco Cirillo and tactician Michele Paoletti on Fantastica and Luca Lalli on B.LinSailing.com with Lorenzo Bressani on tactics.

The sixth race, presented by Yacht Club Cagliari, proved useful to those looking to close gaps in the standings such as American John Kilroy on Samba Pa Ti, which in today’s conditions found himself in the lead at the first windward mark. Kilroy hesitated then hoisted the spinnaker, Cirillo was second around, hoisting the chute looking more relaxed than anyone else on the water. Downwind, Kilroy kept a close eye on Cirillo and Lalli looking for a comeback. Kilroy took the win, Cirillo across in second, Lalli third. With Cirillo’s result, he knew that he had at least a second overall finish for the championship. The title was yet to be determined though, as the arrival of Woods across the line was yet to come. In order to take the championship he had to do seventh or better.

Woods landed fifth and with this result, he collected the title. Congratulations are in full order for Woods and his successful crew with much merit to Goodison, the weapon aboard by which Red found its strength. Cirillo also had one of his best regattas yet, three second place finishes a fourth and a sixth. Lalli finished three points out in third. Peter Rogers on Highlife, who up until this morning dreamed of success, slipped from second overall to fifth. Passed by Kilroy in fourth.

Final overall standings Audi Melges 32 European Championship after 6 races with one discard:

Full Entry List (After 5 races)
1.) Joe Woods/Paul Goodison, Red; 1-6-1-[15]-1.5= 14
2.) Lanfranco Cirillo/Michele Paoletti, Fantastica; 4-2-6-2-[9]-2 = 16
3.) Luca Lalli/Lorenzo Bressani, BLinSailing.com; 3-5-3-3-[10] = 17
4.) John Kilroy/Stu Bannatyne, Samba Pa Ti; 8-[9]-4-1-5-1 = 19
5.) Peter Rogers/Ruaridh Scott, Highlife; 2-1-5-5-[10]-8 = 21
6.) Jean-Francois Cruette/Christian Ponthieu, Teasing Machine; 7-4-9-[12]-9.10 = 39
7.) Mauro Mocchegiani/Matteo Ivaldi, Rush Diletta; 13-[14]-13-8-4-4 = 42
8.) Filippo Pacinotti/Freddy Loof, Brontolo; 13-7-2-[16]-12.12 = 45
9.) Carlo Alberini/Gabriele Benussi, Calvi Network; [14]-3-11-11-14-6 = 46
10.) Ferdinando Battistella/Sandro Montefusco, Cuervo Y Sobrinos; [DSQ]-10-14-10-3-9 = 46  

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