Melges 20 World Championship: Volvo Ocean Race winner Illbruck World Champion: Michael Illbruck wins with Kostecki

"It's a fantastic feeling, a very important result that I dedicate to my father Willy, who founded the success story of the 'Pinta' over 40 years ago, continued to write it with success after success and which continues today in the Melges 20," said Michael Illbruck after winning the title in the Melges 20 class off Scarlino/Italy.

Together with the US American John Kostecki and the Italian Federico Michetti, he was able to prevail on the last day of racing and take the title against 56 starters.

For Illbruck, the victory is perhaps a new beginning. In 2002, his team won the Volvo Ocean Race with skipper Kostecki. Illbruck wanted to use the momentum of this victory for an America's Cup campaign, and a boat, the "GER 68", had already been built. But a lack of sponsors led to the boat being abandoned and loaned to the New Zealanders. In 2006, Illbruck was almost on board United Internet's first German AC campaign, but there were differences of opinion with team owner Ralph Dommermuth. This was followed by a brief episode in the TP-52 class and in 2008 in the Melges 32.

Illbruck switched to motorsport and drove in the Porsche 997 GT 3 Cup.

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