The Italian Luna Rossa team recently put in a disappointing performance in the America's Cup events. The Melges 24 World Championship in Key Largo (USA) therefore came at just the right time to repair its battered reputation. The Australian helmsman James Spithill won the 100-boat field in superior style.
The Luna Rossa team, which had already won the Match Race World Championship in September, included the US brothers McKee, each decorated with two Olympic medals, the former 49er sailor Manuel Modena (ITA) and opti sailor Mac Agnese.
Eleven-year-old Agnese from Fort Lauderdale joined the team because his 45 kilos helped to ensure that the maximum permitted crew weight for the Melges was not exceeded. "The kid is great," says Spithill, who, at 25 years old, has not long outgrown the Optialter. "He trimmed the Traveller and helped with a lot of the manoeuvres. He was as dedicated as we all were. I think we learnt more from him than he learnt from us."
The Melges World Championship title has become one of the most coveted in the sailing world. Only 28 teams out of 100 sailed in the amateur classification. The rest had at least one sailor on board who fell under the professional classification.
Wealthy US sailing sponsor Philippe Kahn hired Russell Coutts this time and still only managed 28th place. 18-year-old son Samuel "Shark" Kahn, who surprisingly won last year with his professional crew, finished eleventh this time.
Albert Batzill and Eddy Eich were once again able to keep up very well. Multiple world champion Batzill was the best amateur team in 19th place.
Results after eleven races (one string)
1. James Spithill, Luna Rossa, ITA, 68 points
2nd Gabriele Benussi, Marrachech Express, ITA, 76
3. David Ullman, Pegasus505, USA, 93
4th Morgan Reeser, Mfatic, USA, 102
5th Gabrio Zandona, Joe Fly, ITA, 108
6. François Brenac, Partner & Partners, FRA, 111
7th Brian Porter, Full Throttle, USA, 138
8th Flavio Favini, Blu Moon, ITA, 141
9th John Bertrand, Fusion M, USA, 146
10th Nicola Celon, Ale Ali, ITA, 161
