New challenge for Pierre Casiraghi & Peter Harrison

Pierre Casiraghi, Yacht Club de Monaco Vice-President, and YCM member Peter Harrison have decided to take on a new challenge to acquire the first Persico Fly 40, the one design monohull foiler inspired by the America’s Cup AC75.

“Under the umbrella of Team Malizia and to promote competitive sailing at its highest level, particularly among our young people at the Yacht Club, we were completely won over by this ultra-modern new class from the Italian Persico Marine yard. The technology on this 40-footer is a spin-off from that of Luna Rossa from the last America’s Cup. The boat takes off from 7.5 knots, with a four-battery system powering a hydraulic system, there’s no engine and no grinders. Its 100m² of self-tacking sails promises spectacular racing with speeds exceeding 25 knots upwind and up to 38 knots downwind. Gybes and tacks will follow on one from another while keeping the boat in the air (automatic flight control),” explains a very enthusiastic Pierre Casiraghi.

With its racy profile (12m in length, 3.35m beam for 1.6 tonnes), the Persico Fly 40 is a strict one design monohull class, designed to be transported by container or on a truck. Its futuristic lines encouraged creativity as sails fit the box rule. The foiling system comprises a double canting arm with foils and a T rudder.

“I first met Pierre Casiraghi when we co-helmed my RP72 maxi during the Richard Mille Les Voiles de St Barth. We shared a love of the sea and of sailing competitively. So when he sent me the plans for the Persico foiling monohull project to see if I’d be interested to join him I agreed immediately. The opportunity to race these cutting edge boats and be part of something so exciting from the outset is part of what drives me and our company. I am also particularly pleased that we have agreed an arrangement for the youth members of the YCM to also take part in the programme, the foiling monohull circuit will undoubtedly be part of sailing’s future,” said Peter Harrison.  

Keen to share their passion for racing, Pierre Casiraghi and Peter Harrison have decided to take it in turns to helm the Richard Mille. This Persico Fly40 which will fly the Yacht Club de Monaco flag and compete in the first international championship for the class in 2023, a mixed format combining match races and fleet races, exclusively for owners at the helm. This is yet another new initiative under the aegis of the Monaco Capital of Yachting approach, the vision being to position the Principality as a centre of excellence in the yachting sector by encouraging training of the young generation of competitive sailors.

Marcello Persico, President of Persico Marine, commented: “Having Pierre Casiraghi and Peter Harrison on board with us as the first official owners, not only gives me great satisfaction but also confirms the appeal and enormous potential of the Persico Fly40. Our goal was to bring to the shipowners the “spirit” of the 36th edition of the America’s Cup with an innovative and enjoyable product, guaranteeing high performance by harnessing the latest technology available in our shipyard. Today, with the unveiling to the first owners of the full-size model of Persico Fly40 we are really excited to see this project come to life and truly proud of the great work of design and refinement carried out in recent months.”