Otto (NOR 68) Bent Christian Wilhelmsen, Lasse Berthelsen and Herve Cunningham have won their first ever major 5.5 Metre event following a dominant performance at the Multi Nations event at Malcesine on Lake Garda.
On the final Saturday they won two more races to put the title beyond doubt.
Aspire (POL 17) of Przemek Gacek, Mateusz Kusznierewicz and Kilian Weise moved up to second, while three third places left Caracole (SUI 214) of Bernard Haissley, Nicolas Berthoud and Daniel Shampfli third overall.
Bent Christian Wilhelmsen has been in the class for nine years and while he has won a few minor events over the years, this is his first major victory. Their consistency over the six races was incredible. But for a few errors they would have won five races but had to settle to three and two very close seconds.
Several world-championship winning crews behind them were no match for the Norwegian team this week.
The fleet now has a few weeks off before heading to the ferry for the first 5.5 Metre World Championship in Greece. Ten crews from here will travel to be joined by at least 10 more in Lavrion, just south of Athens. Anticipation is rife.
Final results after 6 races
1st Otto NOR 68, Bent Christian 7 pts
2nd Aspire POL 17, Przemek Gacek, 10 pts
3rd Caracole SUI 214, Bernard Haissley, 16 pts
4th Marie-Françoise XXII SUI 233, Jürg Menzi, 18 pts
5th New Moon 3 BAH 25, Jürg Ryffel, 20 pts