2nd edition Melges 40 Grand Prix dedicated to One Ocean Foundation

Tomorrow will see the beginning of racing at the One Ocean Melges 40 Grand Prix, event organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda with the support of the Melges 40 Class. Just one year ago this One Design Class had its debut in the waters off Porto Cervo with Italian Alessandro Rombelli and his team.

This year's Melges 40 Grand Prix is a special one as it is dedicated to the ocean conservancy and environmental sustainability project One Ocean, launched by the YCCS in 2017 as a Forum and now a Foundation. All Melges Classes, not just the Melges 40 Class, are contributing to the One Ocean Foundation's mission through the patronage of Melges Europe, and are promoting One Ocean's Charta Smeralda at every Italian and international event they race at.

The event in Costa Smeralda is the second on this year's calendar for this One Design Class. Racing will begin tomorrow, 5 July and will conclude 8 July after four days that will alternate windward/leeward courses and short coastal races along the Archipelago di La Maddalena's beautiful islands.

The Swedish team aboard Richard Goransson's Inga includes tactician Cameron Appleton and seems to be the team to beat after their successes during the Spring Series at Palma de Mallorca and after winning the PalmaVela event last May. Alessandro Rombelli's Stig (with tactician Francesco Bruni) and Andrea Lacorte's Vitamina Cetilar are the two Italian teams racing. A Japanese team will be aboard Yukihiro Ishida's Sikon (with the Spanish tactician Manuel Weiller) and Valentin Zavadnikov's Dynamiq Synergy (with New Zealander Kelvin Harrap) will be representing the Principality of Monaco. The latter team will be racing for its first victory at this event. 

YCCS Commodore Riccardo Bonadeo had these words: "We are very enthusiastic about this event especially because it is dedicated to and promotes the One Ocean Foundation mission to preserve the marine environment. I want to thank the Melges Class for supporting and promoting the Charta Smeralda's ethics and cause and for helping to raise awareness everywhere they race."

Federico Michetti, CEO of Melges Europe, added: "We are happy to be back in Porto Cervo and we thank the YCCS for its hospitality. We are especially proud to be directly involved in the organisation of the first event dedicated to the One Ocean project and we are happy to spread its word in all the events we race at in Italy and in Europe. The weather forecast calls for a week of fresh breeze where the Melges 40 boats will be sure to thrill not only the teams aboard, but also spectators."
All participating teams are expected this evening at 7 p.m. at the Opening Ceremony that will be held at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. Racing is scheduled to begin tomorrow, 5 July at noon with a forecast of westerly breeze of approximately.

As part of the ocean sustainability project promoted by the YCCS in tandem with the One Ocean Foundation everyone participating in the event, and especially all sailors, can use a dispenser of potable water that will be beneath the Piazza Azzurra, in front of the Charlie pier. Teams can use the water in this dispenser to reduce their use of single-use plastic bottles by filling up containers or, better yet, metal canteens.

Quantum Sails is the event's Technical Partner.