Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series –Act II 

8-10 December 2023

Sunday 10th December 2023. Monegasque Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-Spot) is the winner this week of Act II of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series. Now in its 11th season, the programme of monthly regattas from November to March organised by Yacht Club de Monaco continues to offer an exceptional setting for teams from all over Europe who welcome it as part of their preparations for the upcoming season.

For many it’s an opportunity to practise at a venue set to host around a hundred boats for the 40th Primo Cup – Trophée UBS (7-10 March 2024). “If it’s a venue that attracts the best sailors to race during winter then that’s good for Monaco,” says YCM General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri. “The setting is fabulous so are the conditions and we have earned the loyalty of a good majority of the European J/70 fleet”.

Three days of racing and as many variations in weather greeted the nigh-on 30 strong fleet for this Act II.

Serena di Lapigio the maestro

The competition knew they had their work cut out and so it proved again. Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-spot) is past master in the art of dominating his opponents, particularly on his home turf where the race area holds no secrets as he can read the conditions well. After Act 1, the YCM member won again and having finished in the top three of the 11 races held over the two meetings is showing a consistency the rest are finding hard to disrupt.

In his wake, the Swiss on Découvertes-Geomod attempted a breakthrough without success but did clinch 2nd place ahead of Lorenzo Bortolotti (Black Swan), also from YCM. Pierrik Devic and his team on Leonteq were 4th, just a few points off the podium.

In the Corinthians (amateur), TinnJ70 helmed by YCM’s Cesare Gabasio led from start to finish ahead of another YCM member, Matteo Scandolera (Irruenza) with the Swiss on Team 838 completing the podium in 3rd place.

Highly anticipated sequel

Next up at Yacht Club de Monaco are the coveted YCM Awards and UBS Trophy on 21st December when members pay tribute to those competing all year and vote for the Yachtsman of the Year. The level of success has again been high and predictions are proving difficult with a close-run vote still ongoing.

No sooner are the kids back to school and the next generation turn up from far afield for the 14th Monaco Optimist Team Race (10-14 January 2024) for the elite in this discipline, all under-14. The winter season continues with Act III of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series (8-11 February 2024) and the fourth and final Act combined with the highly anticipated 40th Primo Cup-Trophée UBS (7-10 March 2024) for one designs.