Howth Yacht Club’s Adrenaline, skippered by Darren Wright, is seventh overall after six races at the Melges 24 European Championship in Tønsberg, Norway, following a demanding four-race programme in winds reaching 36 knots.
Wright is sailing with Hannah Morris, Jack Wetherell, Martin Wrigley and Shane Hughes, with the Howth crew counting scores of 5-11-3-7-7 after discarding a 15th from Race 6. Their 33-point total leaves them just six points outside the top five with racing continuing on Thursday.
The strong showing included a third place in Race 3, sailed in a west-southwesterly breeze of 22 knots.
Four Races in Heavy Tønsberg Conditions
After Tuesday’s racing was cancelled due to a lack of wind, the championship returned in spectacular fashion on Wednesday, with four races completed in strong winds and high waves. With the championship behind schedule and Friday’s forecast looking less favourable, the Race Committee made full use of the conditions.
Race 3 started in 22 knots, with Ante Cesic’s Croatian Razjaren taking victory. Paolo Brescia’s Italian Melgina won Race 4, also sailed in around 22 knots.
Conditions intensified during the afternoon. Peder Jahre’s Norwegian Storm Capital claimed Race 5 as the southwesterly increased to 25-30 knots, before Melgina returned to the front in Race 6 as winds reached 29-36 knots.
Heavy Toll: Gisle Bjørsrud Bø’s Kaboom was among the boats caught out by the punishing conditions as winds strengthened during four demanding races at the Melges 24 Europeans. Photo: Trond Teigen
Race Officer Eirik Brekke said the conditions had provided a severe test for both competitors and officials.
“Today was for the tough people,” Brekke said. “The conditions were very challenging for everyone, including those of us on the Race Committee boat. “We managed to complete four spectacular races and fulfil the sailors’ expectations with some very hard and tough racing.”
The conditions took a heavy toll on the fleet, with six broken masts, several collisions and damaged sails reported, although all sailors returned safely to the marina.
Mast Casualty: The crew of Kaboom deal with a broken mast as the Melges 24 European Championship fleet was tested by winds reaching 36 knots, with six mast failures reported during the day. Photo: Trond Teigen
Melgina Takes European Championship Lead
Melgina was the standout performer of the day, recording scores of 2-1-5-1. With the first discard coming into effect after five races, the Italian crew moved into the championship lead on 13 points.
“It was a very good day for Melgina,” tactician Simone Ferrarese said. “The conditions were amazing. The first two races were sailed in around 15-20 knots, followed by two races with 25 knots and big waves.”
Razjaren is second overall on 15 points, with Storm Capital third on 21. Storm Capital also leads the Corinthian division after scores of 1-2-1-2 within the amateur category, including its overall victory in Race 5.
Adrenaline: Howth Yacht Club’s Adrenaline (GBR 822), skippered by Darren Wright, battles through the heavy Tønsberg conditions on its way to seventh overall after six races. Photo: Trond Teigen
Thursday is the penultimate day of the championship, with the first warning signal scheduled for 13:00 and the Race Committee aiming to complete three races. The Melges 24 European Championship concludes in Tønsberg on Friday, 4 September.
