Its first year

Six teams took a regular part in the first year of the Melges Tour. Those teams were: RODOP, ICZ, GANT, SICF, Fujitsu Siemens and Motorpal. In addition, other teams such as NET Development, Lundergaard and In Your Pocket also participated in some of the races in the series. The series started by a May’s race in YC Kovářov at Lipno Lake in heavy wind conditions. Altogether eight teams took part in this regatta under very difficult sailing conditions. The wind was reaching up to 25 knots. The winner of the first event became team GANT. Afterwards, other races of the series held at Lipno in August followed, that time it was in Frymburk. Ten teams took part in the second competition. Finally, the best result achieved the team of Radost Sailing Team. On the other hand, team RODOP rejoiced in the victory in the third one. The Czech Championship held in Lipno at the beginning of September was the highlight of the season. Out of ten teams which fought for the title team GANT became the national champion. The Melges Tour 2007 was concluded by a final regatta of the series held in Prague in October. The format of this last regatta was based on the very interesting principle of triple-racing. It was held in YC CERE and was combined with a final prize giving ceremony of the whole Tour. Historically, the first winner of the Melges Tour became team RODOP, who are holders of a challenge cup for the year 2007.

The competitors had the challenge of competing under very different weather conditions. The races were held in very strong winds, heavy rains as well as light breezes and sunny weather. Thanks to a great team of race committees under the guidance of the chief umpire Marek Pavlovský, we succeeded in gaining the maximum out of every racing day. Marek and his team (Jan Blahoňovský and Jiří Pavlík) greatly contributed to an excellent organization of the series due to their flexibility and adaptability to the current situation.

After each demanding racing day, refreshments prepared for the competitors on the pier represented a great possibility to discuss the most interesting situations and experiences from the day while drinking beer or hot rum. Moreover, none of the regattas lacked the opportunity of a party with an outstanding banquet and also some screening of shots from the races or tasting of different kinds of rum for the sake of variety.

More about the series in 2007 here.