19th Palermo-Montecarlo | Sunday 25th August 2024
Be they seasoned pros or they just love sailing, those competing in the 19th Palermo-Montecarlo will remember this edition for a long time. Organised by Circolo della Vela Sicilia, in collaboration with Yacht Club de Monaco and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, this offshore race never fails to throw up memorable moments such as the extraordinary duel between event favourites Black Jack 100 and Lucky.
After a challenging start on the Tuesday in 18 knot winds, these two Maxi yachts put on a show throughout the 500 nautical miles through to Thursday 22nd August when the 100-foot Black Jack 100 helmed by Yacht Club de Monaco member Tristan Le Brun claimed line honours, crossing the finish line first after 1 day 20 hours 34 minutes 22 seconds of racing. A worthy win for the former Esimit Europa 2 that set a new record, nine years after smashing the record in 2015 with a course time that remained unbeaten till now.
A win synonymous with ambition
The name may have changed but the hunger for victory since this sailing yacht’s launch continues to build on the list of achievements. “This was my first regatta with fantastic conditions that ended with a win and a record, what more could I have asked for,” said new owner Remon Vos. A result that Tristan Le Brun puts down to their battle with their nearest rival. “Lucky made the race difficult for us,” explained the helmsman, “so we opted for a strategy to never lose distance from them, to not give them an opportunity to escape. For us the result is an honour, a challenge and part of the success as we have set ourselves the goal of beating as many records as possible held by Esimit”.
The two boats were neck and neck for a large part of the race until Thursday 22nd August at dawn. A wind drop and shift from south to north-east benefited the 100-foot Black Jack 100 which is quicker in light airs. “We will not forget this race and the duel,” says American Bryan Ehrhart. “Our sailors did an extraordinary job and only the lighter wind prevented us keeping in their wake. Despite that we’re very satisfied”. However Lucky won the event in the Maxi category in corrected time. Around 50 boats from 11 nationalities were competing including Gorilla Gang XL of Andrea Statari and Paul Basson’s Foreign Affair, both flying the YCM burgee. They finished 22 and 24 respectively.
Long-awaited new record
Nine years after being the fastest in Palermo-Montecarlo history, Black Jack 100 has achieved a double by winning the event in real time and setting a new record. A double celebration for Tristan Le brun as they lifted high the Giuseppe Tasca D’Almerita Trophy for the winner in real time. The men on Be Wild won the Angelo Randazzo Trophy for winning the event in corrected time.
All eyes in the sailing world now turn to the 37th America’s Cup being held in Barcelona where the Preliminary Regatta (and Louis Vuitton Cup) started Thursday. While Circolo della Vela Sicilia will be involved with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, Yacht Club de Monaco sees two of its members taking part: Sir Jim Ratcliffe (Ineos Britannia) and Matteo de Nora (Emirates Team New Zealand).
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