4 nations grab 4 victories

Monaco Optimist & Laser Academy | 11-13 November 2022

 

Sunday 13^th November 2022. Make way for the new generation who were out in force for the 4^th Monaco Optimist & Laser Academy organised by Yacht Club de Monaco. The meeting is a key element in the Club’s sports policy and its ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ ambitions, and gathered 150 entrants from 26 clubs representing six nations. This training regatta stands out as it allows coaches to intervene during races to give their charges invaluable tips, a concept in line with YCM’s values to pass on a love of sailing. For the second year running, the ILCA 4 and 6 (previously Laser 4.7 and Radial) joined the Minime and Benjamin Optimist fleets.

 

They dominated

It was set to be a difficult contest and lived up to expectations. In a light easterly, intense concentration was the order of the first day with sailors repeatedly checking their sails and the slightest mistake costing some dearly. Sunday’s 5 knot from the west allowed another race which confirmed the previous day’s trends.

In ILCA 4, the chess match between the Swiss and Monegasques was finally won by YCM’s Matteo Asscher, with two Swiss entrants, Roman Surdez and Loic Ramuz, completing the podium. Very active on the race area, YCM’s sailors from the Sports Section succeeded in spoiling the party for the Swiss, with a fine 4^th place for Alexandre Pompée, competing in his first regatta in this class.

In ILCA 6, Swiss Matthew Chassot beat Marseille’s Mailys Radulic and Gaspard Hamon from Antibes. Noah Garcia, French ILCA 4 Champion and winner of the Monaco event last year in the same category, took the opportunity to compete in the class above and acquitted himself well by finishing 4^th ahead of Leo Boisvert also from YCM.

 

 

Optimist Benjamin: Ukrainian victory

In the Benjamin category, the Ukrainian Roman Vyrvyenko clinched 1^st place ahead of Augustin Sorin and Leonard Riitano. YCM’s Pietro Carlevaris came in an honourable 12^th place out of 43 entrants.

 

Minime: ladies on top form

In the Minime, the battle was intense on the start with 72 competitors jostling for position. Yacht Club de Cannes’ Louise Rahn left no room for doubt with her performance, winning seven points clear of Swiss Mark Benczur followed by Louis Jallabert.

For the French this event is a qualifier for the Monaco Optimist Team Race, 11-15 January 2023, with brings together the world’s best clubs and nations in the Optimist class. First in the clubs’ ranking, Club Nautique de Nice have earned a place and will return to Monaco in a couple of months.

The regatta programme continues at Yacht Club de Monaco with Act 2 of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series 8-11 December 2022 when the cream of J/70 teams gather again.