19 JANUARY 2007 • There is some truth in the saying, "it's not over, until it's over." The Melges 24 fleet in Key West proved just that today. Riccardo Simoneschi and his crew of tactician Matteo Ivaldi, Giorgio Tortarolo, Lucy Giorgetti and Vittovio Rochelli on "ITA-693 Giacomel Audi Racing" are the 2007 Melges 24 ACURA Key West Race Week Champions! All week they sailed strong despite a few problems in the beginning. Their amazing performance on the water today showed that they certainly worked things out. "Our goal today was to try hard, so we worked hard to get a good start and then we were leading by a lot. The rest was in the end of the others. Gabrio had a bad end of the week. Myself and my tactician we are used to this kind of competition, both of us coming from Olympic classes. We are especially happy as we came very close to winning last year. We did it this year. This class is very special that it has the best sailors in the world. To win in the Melges 24 is the very best. There is no comparison."

 

The last race was the ultimate, a final showdown. Gabrio Zandona helming for Giovanni Maspero along with Daniele Cassinari calling tactics, Federico Buscaglia and Federico Insabato on "ITA-550 Joe Fly" led the fleet by a slim margin. Overnight, he was ahead by only five points in front of sailing legend Dave Ullman on "USA-505 Pegasus 505" in second place. Ullman's all-star team consisted of Bill Hardesty calling tactics, Brian Hutchison, Doug McLean and Jage Hernandez. In third, Andrea Rachelli helming for Franco Rossini on "SUI-521 Blu Moon", also on-board was Tiziano Nava calling tactics, Federico Valenti and Serena Cima. This was their first appearance at Key West Race Week.

The entire fleet was on edge for the start. Glorious conditions were in effect — 8-10 knots of breeze and the sun was out — perfect weather to round out the championship! The start resulted in several individual recalls including a tough break for Ullman as he was over early. The fleet went left. It was full-on intensity at the weathermark. Simonsechi, with a nice lift right at the mark gave him the momentum to take the lead, just ahead of Jack Jennings "USA-659 Pied Piper Racing" rounding second followed by Francois Bernac helming "FRA-571 Partner & Partners" for Philippe Ligot in third. Zandona looked good trying to round in about fifth, but in the process hits the mark resulting in a major setback for the sensational team of racers. Downwind Jennings maintained an even strain right on Simoneschi's transom all the way to the gate. The breeze picked-up and Simoneschi put some distance on Jennings. Simoneschi went right and Jennings went left. Simoneschi held on to the lead and a change of course was implemented at the weathermark.

 

Again it was Simoneschi, then Chris Larson driving for Scott Holmgren on "USA-631 Rosebud", Jennings, Bernac, Brian Porter on "USA-649 Full Throttle", Kelly Gough at the helm for Shawn Grisham "USA-674 Bulls-eye" Rachelli, then Zandona, rounding respectively. Ullman was next with a nice recovery getting back in the hunt.

 

At the last leeward mark rounding of the race, the breeze dropped off and the overcast skies moved in. Simoneschi now with a big lead over Larson in second. Jennings was third, Bernac fourth, Gough in fifth, Corinthian competitor Othmar Von Blumencron on "USA-679 Gannet" was sixth, Porter seventh, then Pollard in eighth. Ullman caught up and passed Zandona downwind by three positions heading left. With the breeze on the increase, Simoneschi continued his huge lead, sailed well up to the finish and won the race. Quickly everyone calulated the numbers. With Ullman's twelvth and Zandona's fourtheen finishes the door was wide open for Simoneschi to step in and take the title.