300+ sailors and 12 nations in competition
39th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse – Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – Act IV | 2-5 March 2023
Thursday 2nd March 2023. One of the great Mediterranean classics, since its launch in 1985 by HSH Prince Albert II, President of the Yacht Club de Monaco, in partnership with Sebago and Monaco’s City Hall, the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse has hosted the cream of one design racing. This year again over 300 sailors have chosen to kick off their season in Monaco.
With a record 15 Smeralda 888s, a dozen Longtze Premiers and nigh-on 60 J/70s competing the regatta maintains its reputation as a major event. All crew members on the winning teams receive sailing garments from technical clothing supplier SLAM at this regatta which also serves as the fourth and final Act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series.
10th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series: who will claim final victory?
With 55 teams in the J/70 class the jury is out on who will be the overall winner of this 10th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series. Currently led by YCM’s Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda), World Vice-Champion in the class (One Pro category), this series of monthly regattas from November to March gathers top international teams. He is followed in the ranking by Pierrik Devic (Leonteq), World Vice-Champion in the Open category, and Louis Samuel Poons (Charisma V) on the third step of this provisional podium. The top trio will have to keep a close eye on the talented crew on G-Sport led by Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio who won the previous two Acts.
All set for 18th edition
After an exciting edition last year, the Palermo-Montecarlo 2023 offshore race in August is all set to go with publication of the Notice of Race and arrival of the first registrations.
Organised by Circolo della Vela Sicilia, in partnership with Yacht Club de Monaco and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the race has been a must on the calendar since it launched in 2005. It quickly established itself as a major offshore classic in the Mediterranean thanks to finely tuned organisation and attendance by some of the world’s fastest and most beautiful boats.
As tradition dictates, the start is scheduled for 12 noon, Tuesday 22nd August, from the Gulf of Mondello in Sicily to the Principality of Monaco. On the programme, a circa 500 nautical mile course with a tactically crucial gate before the Strait of Bonifacio. The 18th Palermo-Montecarlo is again one of the stages in the Italian Offshore Championship organised by the Italian Sailing Federation, as well as of the International Maxi Association’s Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge and the Class40 Mediterranean Trophy.
“We can now speak of the Palermo-Montecarlo as a “classic”, as we approach the 20th anniversary and given the ever higher standard of boats and crews who participate each year. For this edition, we hope to see lots of owners taking part and anyone who loves sailing,” says Agostino Randazzo, President of Circolo della Vela Sicilia, the club supporting Team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli in the 37th America’s Cup.
Last year’s Palermo-Montecarlo proved triumphant for French sailing, with two boats from the Société Nautique de Marseille winning both major trophies: Jean-Pierre Dreau’s Mylius 60 Lady First III which won the Giuseppe Tasca d’Almerita Trophy, while Dominique Tian’s Ker 46 Tonnerre de Glen clinched the Angelo Randazzo Perpetual Challenge Trophy.
G-Spot unbeatable
Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – Act III | 02-05 février 2023
Saturday 4th February 2023. The nigh on 40 international boats competing in Act 3 of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series enjoyed another beautiful day on this second day of racing. It goes without saying that these monthly regattas organised by Yacht Club de Monaco are enjoying superb weather conditions. With a 10-knot southwesterly, sun shining and another two races under the belts it confirms Monaco’s reputation as a must-do destination for one designs.
Serena di Lapigio in his element
Raw talent comes to the fore again on this highly technical and demanding race area. No question of turning backs on the slightest wind shift on this course, total concentration is key. The second day again called on all the skills and consistency of sailors, a game mastered by YCM’s Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G–Spot) as evidenced by his 2nd and 3rd places.
Heir to a great talent
Only one change of tempo noted in the rankings after a sensational performance by the crew on Charisma led by Louis Samuel Poons, son of YCM’s brilliant helmsman, Nico Poons. Clearly, that master touch on the helm has been handed down from father to son.
With a name like Louis Samuel Poons he carries high hopes for the future and his entry into the J/70 class confirms it. This evening, he’s in 2nd place in the provisional overall ranking.
G-Spot tops ranking
Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – Act III | 2-5 February 2023
Friday 3rd February 2023. An important element of Yacht Club de Monaco’s sports policy, the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series of monthly regattas for pros and amateurs continues to attract the J/70 heavyweights. This third and penultimate act attracted a fleet of some 40 boats representing eight nationalities, the majority of whom are here to prepare for the coming season at the highest level.
A great start
After winning the previous meeting and always quick off the mark from the start, Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-Spot) lived up to his reputation by bagging 1st place in the provisional ranking of Act 3. An excellent start that bodes well for the next two days of racing.
In his wake other Monegasque teams kept up the pace during the two races completed in a light 6-knot southerly that left no room for improvisation. Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda) and Ferdinando Matteo Scandolera (Irruenza) complete the first day’s podium, with Irruenza also leading the Corinthian (amateur) category ahead of two Swiss teams.
YCM sailors are not known for doing half-measures and being familiar with tricky conditions regularly occupy leaderboard positions at regattas in Monaco’s bay.
Rendezvous tomorrow Saturday 4th February for the first warning signal at 11.00am.
Croats triumph
Monaco Optimist Team Race | 11-15 January 2023
Sunday 15th January 2023 – The boats are back on dry land at the end of the 13th Monaco Optimist Team Race, an international regatta for the team racing elite in this class, organised by Yacht Club de Monaco with support of FxPro, technical clothing supplier SLAM, boatyard Erplast and Peace and Sport. With 16 nations and 64 under-14 sailors racing, the event reflects a sports policy led by YCM where “transmission is one of our core values but also central to our Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting approach,” said YCM General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri.
First win for the Croats
The grand finale played out between America and Croatia kept the suspense going from start to finish throughout this event. Having got out of the starting blocks in fine style, the Americans fell at the last hurdle on this final day ceding victory to the Croatian team, having won it twice, in 2020 and 2022. But it was the outstanding control and consistency of the JKU Deep Blue team from Croatia who emerged victorious. “It was difficult as we are a small club, and to beat America’s national team is a really big deal. We lost the first race in the final so we had to calm down and refocus our efforts to win the next two matches,” explained one of the delighted team.
Americans on route for third victory
Monaco Optimist Team Race | 11-15 January 2023
Saturday 13th January 2023 What a day it’s been for contestants in the Monaco Optimist Team Race who gave their all in a brisk 10-knot easterly breeze with back to back races until darkness fell to advance in the round robin phase. A total of 57 match races were held here in Monaco today, Saturday.
American class
Outstanding when it comes to speed, America’s national team seem unstoppable as they pulled off a string of victories, a few tacks being enough for them to extricate themselves from tactical traps set by the competition. Note that USA have already won this event twice – in 2022 and 2020.
Hot on their heels are the Swedes in a provisional 2nd place, keeping a weather eye always on the Croats, relegated this evening to 3rd but remaining serious contenders to win it. The young sailors from JKU Deep Blue are indeed real “blockers” and have clearly mastered team racing rules.
Heads out
The important thing is to stay totally focused throughout the races which last an average eight to ten minutes. Keeping your head out the boat to anticipate the opposing team’s manœuvres is key to gaining the upper hand. The Monegasques have grasped this concept and are foiling the forecasts by sticking close to the leaders. Currently lying 5th Yacht Club de Monaco youngsters must “focus on each match race as it comes and continue to communicate as they’ve been doing and not focus on the result,” explains their coach Margaux Meslin.
The round robin phase continues and ends tomorrow as does the event. It all starts at 10.00am.
Transmission a flagship for Yacht Club de Monaco
Monaco Optimist Team Race | 11-15 January 2023
Friday 12th January 2023 – An international regatta, the Monaco Optimist Team Race attracts young sailors from all walks of life. Dedicated to the team racing elite in this class, the event is fully in line with the ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach underpinning the Club’s international ambitions. Under its public service remit, YCM plays an important role in promoting the Principality and pursuing the twin goals of education and sport.
Monaco Optimist Team Race: values without borders
Its original format of teams of four Optimists puts the emphasis on techniques, tactics and a spirit of solidarity, as it requires these young people to make split second tactical decisions that can radically impact their team’s results. At the end of day two and after 49 encounters, the final podium is starting to take shape, as the Croats and Americans prove their expertise in the discipline. With two matches won against Ireland and Switzerland, the Monegasque team is in the middle ranking.
Beyond competition, it is a great opportunity for them to meet sailing enthusiasts of their own age who share these same values while having fun. “It’s a unique event founded on teamwork and sharing. The kids are at the centre of it all and the goal is for them to improve their techniques,” says Paolo Ghione who heads the Competition unit in YCM’s Sports Section, adding “the idea is also to forge links between clubs”. This is a key factor for YCM which is twinned with 15 prestigious clubs and has reciprocal arrangements with around 60 others worldwide.
Transmission: a big challenge to guarantee the future
Through three of its units (Competition, Education and Events), the Sports Section has a three-pronged role to play in bringing on new generations. From the start it made it a point of honour to welcome all youngsters in the Principality. Sailing courses (in partnership with Monaco’s Education Department), week-long SeAdventure Camps in school holidays to raise awareness of the marine environment, and lessons to fine tune skills and compete keep the instructors and coaches busy. “The Yacht Club is a school for life and we support them on this journey, giving them a host of opportunities, not only in sport but life in general,” adds Paolo Ghione.
Transmission is also at work among adults with lessons on Smeralda 888s and J/70s, the result in the latter class being the formation of an all-women’s team of pros and beginners called Pink Wave.
Not just content to encourage a new generation into sailing, YCM also supports luxury yachting professionals with its La Belle Classe Academy training centre. The Club is also regularly called upon to transmit its values and expertise, particularly by new destinations, working towards obtaining its La Belle Classe Destinations certification.
Sights set on excellence
Keen to give young athletes their very best shot, YCM has several projects on the go according to Paolo: “We have several ongoing high level projects including Alexander Ehlen in kitesurfing. This year is an exceptionally busy one for him as he aims to qualify for the Paris Olympics in 2024”. All the evidence proves Yacht Club de Monaco is passionate about flying the Principality’s flag high at all levels.
20 matches completed on first day
Monaco Optimist Team Race | 11-15 January 2023
Thursday 12th January 2023 – Match races for the 3rd Monaco Optimist Team Race look set to be hotly disputed judging by today, as the cream of the crop of young sailors in this discipline took to the water. The match race format calls for teamwork, techniques and peerless knowledge of match racing rules and tactics to succeed. An exercise these young teams pulled off today with no trouble.
In the thick of it
In a light 3 to 6 knot westerly, the 64 sailors in their teams of four enjoyed a succession of races at the foot of the Rocher this afternoon. A total of 20 match races were completed. With each lasting just 8 to 10 minutes, contestants have to be on the ball right from the start.
Of note is the domination by the Swedes, with KSSS (The Royal Swedish Yacht Club) winning three matches in a row leaving no-one in any doubt that they mean business. But the regatta is far from over for the Swedes who have to beware of the consistency of the Maltese and Americans, who are in the Principality equally determined to be at the top of the leaderboard. The fact it is such a level playing field in team terms points to a tough competition here in Monaco.
Tomorrow is another day for the 16 teams who meet at 10.00am for the first encounter.
Kicks off on Thursday
Monaco Optimist Team Race | 11-15 January 2023
Wednesday 11th January 2023 – It all kicks off tomorrow for the 13th Monaco Optimist Team Race, an international meeting of the team racing elite in this class organised by Yacht Club de Monaco with support of FxPro, technical clothing supplier SLAM, Erplast boatyard and Peace and Sport. Sixteen nations and 64 under-14 sailors have descended on the Principality from as far away as Uruguay and USA for this event.
Level playing field
Inspired by the America’s Cup, match racing is a sport in its own right and it is this format that the Monaco Optimist Team Race has embraced. Teams of four from each nation go head to head with all the other teams in the round robin heats, at the end of which the best go through to the quarters and then semi-finals, before the grand finale on Sunday. A total of 16 teams representing 16 nations are competing from Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Great Britain, USA, Uruguay and Monaco. It adds up to 120 encounters in the bay of Monaco over the next few days.
In the thick of it already
To make sure they are on top of the rules for team racing, some teams attended the International Training Clinic (9-11 January) run by Chris Atkins. With 45 years of experience in the discipline, this three-time British National Team Race Champion, also coached Team Great Britain to a gold medal in the first ISAF Team Race World Championship. Chairman of Selectors for the GBR Olympic sailing team for Beijing (2008) and London (2012), he is an international World Sailing umpire and judge.
First races start tomorrow, Thursday 12th January at 11.00am.
Packed programme of festivities to celebrate Yacht Club de Monaco’s 70th anniversary
Monaco Optimist Team Race (11-15 January) honours young sailors
Tuesday 10th January 2023 – January kicks off a busy events programme for 2023, as Yacht Club de Monaco celebrates 70 years since it was set up by Prince Rainier III. Presided since 1984 by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, this private club continues to honour its public service remit by organising world class events to promote the destination. Its agenda is more than worthy of its ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach, initiated by YCM to position the Principality as a centre of excellence in this sector. High level sport, the environment, luxury yachting and maritime heritage will therefore be taking centre stage throughout this anniversary year.
13th Monaco Optimist Team Race (11-15 January ): youth opens the ball
Festivities kick off tomorrow, 11th January, with the 13th Monaco Optimist Team Race gathering the international elite in this discipline with 64 under-14 sailors representing 16 nations won over by this unique event. The format is unusual for an Optimist regatta, a match race being like a duel on water between teams of four as opposed to a fleet race of individuals. The result is 120 races in the knock-out rounds leading up to the finals and requiring finely tuned skills, tactics and above all teamwork. In the run up to the contest to hone their race techniques, teams are already on site to take part in an International Clinic (9-11 January 2023) supervised by Chris Atkins.
Spotlight on one designs with 10th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series (2-5 February) and 39th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse (2-5 March)
The best J/70 teams, who have established their training base in the Principality, meet again this month for Act III of the 10th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series of monthly regattas, which has become a fixture on the calendar for international teams. Races are set to be tight for the fleet, currently led by YCM’s Ludovico Fassitelli on Junda followed by Graeme Peterson (Moonlight II) and Stefano Roberti (Piccinina), also from YCM.
The Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series season culminates for the J/70s at the fourth and final act held on the same weekend as the 39th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse (2-5 March) that will gather the Smeralda 888, Longtze Premier and RS 21 classes. Launched in 1985 at the instigation of YCM President HSH Prince Albert II, prizes being technical sailing garments from SLAM, it is the largest European meeting of one design boats in the Mediterranean.
Monaco Ocean Week (20-26 March): yachting component run by Yacht Club de Monaco
During Monaco Ocean Week, organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Monaco Oceanographic Institute and the Scientific Centre of Monaco, YCM is responsible for the yachting component of this week focused on protecting the oceans. On Thursday 23rd March at the YCM there will be four events, starting with the 12th Environmental Symposium dedicated to the 10th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge on the theme ‘Encouraging the Future for a more Sustainable Yachting’. This highlight precedes the 27th Captains’ Forum that brings owners, captains and superyacht industry leaders together, the theme this time will be ‘Superyacht Commitment: Management, Leadership & Mentoring ‘.
After the success of the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous (next one at YCM, 24-25 September 2023), M3 (Monaco Marina Management) is launching the first Monaco Smart Yacht Rendezvous, a networking event that continues on Friday 24th March culminating in the Smart Innovative Yacht Awards. Supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Credit Suisse and innovation for a sustainable economy specialists, Blumorpho, it facilitates exchanges between the whole ecosystem to make it more virtuous and promotes innovations that could bring about major changes to the industry.
Thursday 23rd March concludes with the 3rd YCM Explorer Awards by La Belle Classe Superyachts. Organised under the presidency of HSH Prince Albert II since 2019, it has been recognising owners who stand out for their commitments to protect the marine environment, be it in the design of their yacht or its navigation. Awarded by a Jury of professionals, there are several prizes: Technology & Innovation, Mediation & Science, Adventure & Environmental Ethics. The awards are an opportunity to highlight those men and women who, as true explorers of the future, perpetuate the Art de Vivre la Mer philosophy which is at the heart of the Club’s core values.
10th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (3-8 July) to celebrate anniversary in style
Helping build tomorrow’s future is a key priority for YCM, an ambition it pursues through the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge for alternative energy sources. For the last ten years, this event has been bringing young engineers from technical colleges and universities the world over into contact with yachting industry players.
The goal is to stimulate their creativity by getting them to design eco-responsible alternative propulsion systems, with everyone sharing information on open source. A host of new features marks this 10th edition, in partnership with Aqua superPower, including the first ever E-Boat Rally of electric boats already on the market, enabling a record number of these boats to show the public what a cleaner future could look like. Also new is a Mentoring Program to encourage industry professionals to support students and which complements the Job Forum that assists budding engineers to get internships or even their first job.
Monaco Classic Week – La Belle Classe (13-16 September): classic yachts call into Monaco
As a Club that’s very attached to its sailing heritage, YCM will be organising the 16th Monaco Classic Week – La Belle Classe. This unique biennial offers a journey through time, synonymous with the celebrated Art de Vivre le Mer lifestyle at sea. For the public it’s an opportunity to see some of the world’s most prestigious classic sailing yachts, period motor-yachts and vintage motorboats that create such a spectacle in the YCM Marina. This edition also celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Prince Rainier III, who founded YCM in 1953 and was so passionate about the sea and boats. It’s a heritage YCM has been perpetuating with this biennial meeting since 1994 and stands out for those who love the classics as it celebrates both sailing and motor boats.
In pursuing a policy focused on high-level competition and protecting the environment, YCM promotes the Principality and its influence in the sector through the ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach.