After four regattas held from November to March in the bay of Monaco, the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series 2025-2026 delivered its verdict in Act IV during the 42nd Primo Cup-UBS Trophy. With 25 races completed in sometimes challenging conditions and an international fleet on form, winter racing at the foot of the Rocher again lived up to expectations. The conclusion was worth the wait with an all-Monegasque podium, although it is worth noting that the J/70 Monaco Class Association has one of the largest fleets in the Mediterranean with around 15 teams.
At the end of this championship, Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio and his crew on G-Spot emerged the winners after a remarkably consistent season. In the 25 races held during the winter, G-Spot was consistently in the lead pack to secure their place at the top of the leaderboard in the final rankings. The Yacht Club de Monaco crew beat Pierrik Devic’s Fraser Yachts and Nico Poons’ Charisma V H992 Sailing Team who completed the podium.
Organised by Yacht Club de Monaco since 2013, this winter championship has become a must-do circuit for international J/70 teams wanting to sail all winter, like the Swiss team on El Otro who travel thousands of kilometres to race here. “It’s our second season in Monaco and we love sailing here. The level is very high and for us it’s a great opportunity to learn by observing the top teams,” explains trimmer Magnus Ullman.
From November to March crews tackled races in often contrasting conditions from light breezes to steady easterlies and tactically technical challenging days. In total, during the four Acts some 50 teams competed in the Monaco championship confirming its popular appeal among international crews in this class.
In the Corinthian category, consistency also paid off. The French crew of Denis Infante’s Euro Voiles clinched the title after a solid season of consistent results. The Swiss on Tarte-3Nuits.com and the Monegasque Matteo Scandolera on Irruenza completed the podium in this competitive category.
Launched in 2013 so teams could keep sailing and progressing in the off-season, the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series has established itself as a winter testing ground. Crews take full advantage of it to fine-tune settings and teamwork, and gauge their level against the competition before the major international events kick-off in the spring.
The 2025-2026 season finished as it began with a large competitive fleet and rankings that were improved on throughout the season.
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