Melges 32 Sailing Series at Porto Venere, Italy - Overall

Achille Onorato's Mascalzone Latino finishes 2nd in the Melges 32 Sailing Series at Porto Venere © Marina Semenova / Barracuda Communication

Eker finishes 3rd in the Melges 32 Sailing Series at Porto Venere © Marina Semenova / Barracuda Communication

Two final races on Sunday at the 2016 Melges 32 European Sailing Series proudly crowned Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio on G-SPOT winner in Porto Venere. Serena di Lapigio held a fast and steady course winning the event by one point. 2016 Melges 32 European Sailing Series Achille Onorato helming Mascalzone Latino scored a 10-1 on the final day to the finish, placing second overall. 2016 Melges 32 European Sailing SeriesRounding out the podium is Ahmet Eker on Eker.

This is the Turkish team's first ever podium finish in the Melges 32 Class since they entered the fleet just only a year ago. "We are very happy to be on the podium," said a thrilled Eker. "Last year we were the rookie, and came in last. We've learned a lot of over the past season and we've had a change in crew too. Our goal is to stay on the podium for sure."

Watching these amazing teams race their hearts out to victory has been a great pleasure, but none more exciting than seeing fleet newcomers from Norway - Lasse Pettersen on Pippa take the win in Race Seven. He was followed by Matteo Balestrero on La Spezia Sailing Team/Giogi in second. Richard Goransson helming Inga From Sweden earned double-third place finishes giving him fourth overall.

Special thanks

Very special thanks go to Comune di Portovenere, Portovenere Sviluppo srl, Portovenere Servizi Portuali e Turistici, Comitatato Circoli Velici del Golfo della Spezia, Marina Militare and to all the fantastic Melges 32 Teams!

Overall Results: (top five, 8 races, 1 discard)

1.) Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio, G-SPOT; 2-4-5-2-3-[8]-5-4 = 25pts
2.) Vincenzo Onorato, Mascalzone Latino; 8-1-9-1-4-2-[10]-1 = 26pts
3.) Ahmet Eker, Eker; 6-3-4-6-2-3-4-[10] = 28pts
4.) Richard Goransson, Inga From Sweden; 7-[9]-6-8-1-4-3-3 = 32pts
5.) Matteo Balestrero, La Spezia Sailing Team/Giogi; 3-[10]-2-4-8-7-2-6 = 32pts

View Full Results View Photo Gallery - Marina Semenova

With the first of four 2016 Melges 32 European Sailing Series events complete, all eyes advance to the end of the month when episode two gets underway on 29 April in Porto Ercole, Italy.