MELGES 32 WORLD LEAGUE EVENT #3

North Powers Giogi To Success At Lake Garda

July has been a successful month for North Sails expert Giulio Desiderato. After his second place finish in Porto Cervo with the Melges 40 team Stig, he won the J/70 Italian Championship on Calvi Network as mainsail trimmer. He has now claimed another victory after winning the Melges 32 European Division Event #3 last weekend with Matteo Balestrero’s Giogi. Giogi secured the lead after day one and the team was unstoppable throughout the remainder of the event; placing first overall out of 16 teams. We caught up with Giulio to get his thoughts after starting the 2018 season off with a bang.

“Teamwork is the most important factor that allowed us to do well at the Melges 32 event,” Giulio remarked. “We are a strong motivated group of sailors, and Matteo is a seasoned driver who has great feel for the helm and drives the boat very well in all conditions.”

The team manager, trimmer and North Sails colleague Federico Michetti kept the team’s focus on being first across the line. Tactician Branko Brcin answered the call with great positioning on the race course which gave Giogi ample opportunity to succeed. Powered by a full suit of 3Di, the team had all the ingredients for a winning recipe.

“This regatta came down to the last few races,” Giulio explained. “Our competition was very close, but we were able to sail faster and stay ahead to hold onto first place. Our starts and speed upwind and downwind were very good. We also worked the boat well, and executed our maneuvers as we wanted, which is not something everyone is able to do 100% of the time.”

As avid one design racer, Giulio also serves as a North Sails Class Leader for multiple boats within the Melges range. “I’m super happy with this result on Giogi and really proud to race with my various teams,” commented Giulio. “North Sails is doing an excellent job in these Melges classes, and I can see that our clients are sailing well and satisfied. It’s not only good to see, but also gives me motivation to do well in future events.”

Giogi will now turn their focus to preparing for their next Melges 32 World League event at the end of this month. “To prepare for our next regatta, we will get the team together to talk about the things we can do to improve,” Giulio explained. “We always have a brainstorming session after events to get our thoughts and ideas out there so our team as a whole can deliberate.”