Loro Piana Giraglia 2024 - Windwhisper44 and Melagodo Are the Winners of the First Leg

10 June 2024 - Saint-Tropez - The third day of Racing: spectacular conditions at sea and great success for the new crew village. The Loro Piana Giraglia proves to be an unmissable event!

The third day of the Loro Piana Giraglia 2024 was a thrilling experience under a clear blue sky and spectacular sea conditions, with a steady wind between 15 and 20 knots. These elements added an extra layer of excitement to the day of racing, making it a heart-pounding experience for all the yachts in competition in a Gulf that revealed its true potential after the first two uncertain days with overcast skies.

With their unwavering skill and dedication, the crews navigated two challenging courses of 22 miles (IRC and ORC) and 30 miles for the maxis. This not only showcased their exceptional abilities but also the high quality of the participating boats. The finish line, strategically placed a few meters from the breakwater of the port of Saint-Tropez, offered the public a front-row seat to a breathtaking spectacle, allowing them to closely follow the final moments of the races.

The procedures began at 11:30 with the committee initiating the starting sequences: first, the smaller boats, closing the sequence with the large maxis, who today were also engaged in a coastal race rather than around the buoys as on previous days.

The Uruguayan Dufour 40 Lady was the first of the day on the finish line in ORC 1 Group, with the GS44 Windwhisper44 – fourth today – still leading the overall standings. Among the ORC 2, Luca De Luca's First 34.7 Melagodo continues its streak of first places (1,1,1), leaving little doubt about the top of the standings in its grouping.

ORC 1 Group

Overall Standings:

1. Windwhisper 44 (Owner: Marcin Sutkowski) - Grand Soleil 44, 2021
   Points: 10 (1, 1, 4, 4)
2. From Now On (Owner: Fernando Chain) - Swan 45, 2003
   Points: 13 (4, 2, 2, 5)
3. Lady (Owner: Nicolas Quadrado) - Dufour 40, 2006
   Points: 17 (7, 6, 1, 3)
4. Thetis (Owner: Luca Stefano Locatelli) - Swan 45, 2001
   Points: 20 (2, 3, 6, 9)
5. Suspiria The Revenge (Owner: Antonino Venneri) - Swan 42, 2008
   Points: 23 (3, 5, 8, 7)

Day 3 Highlights:

• Lady, owned by Nicolas Quadrado, finished first in the day's race. This win boosted their standings, making them a strong contender in the overall competition.
• From Now On, helmed by Fernando Chain, demonstrated consistent performance by securing second place in the race. This yacht maintains a strong position, closely trailing the leader, Windwhisper 44.
• Windwhisper 44, despite finishing fourth in the day's race, remains at the top of the overall standings due to its consistent performance in the previous races.
• Thetis and Suspiria The Revenge also delivered solid performances, securing fourth and fifth positions, respectively, in the overall standings.

ORC 2 Group

Overall Standings:

1. Melagodo (Owner: Luca De Luca) - First 34.7, 2005
   Points: 4 (1, 1, 1, 1)
2. IMXTINENTE (Owner: Adelio Frixione) - X 35, 2005
   Points: 14 (2, 6, 2, 4)
3. Farfalina 2 (Owner: Davide Noli) - Corsa 915, 2020
   Points: 16 (4, 3, 7, 2)
4. Tekno (Owner: Piero Arduino) - First 31.7, 2004
   Points: 18 (5, 2, 5, 6)
5. J Lab (Owner: Enrica Bertini) - J 99, 2022
   Points: 23 (11, 5, 4, 3)

Day 3 Highlights:

• Melagodo, led by Luca De Luca, continues to dominate the ORC 2 group with an impeccable record of first-place finishes in all four races. Their consistent performance and flawless execution have solidified their top position.
• Farfalina 2, captained by Davide Noli, secured second place in the day's race, enhancing their overall standings and showcasing their competitive edge.
• J Lab, owned by Enrica Bertini, finished third in the day's race, demonstrating their ability to compete at a high level and secure a strong position in the overall standings.

Results of ORC classes