A solid 4th for Alexander Ehlen
The fourth and final stage of the Engie Kite Tour just ended in Saint-Raphaël. A super windy event, orchestrated by the Fréjus multisport and leisure association (AMSLF) with support from the French Sailing Federation (FFVoile), ended the season in style with 14 Twin-Tip and directional board races, 12 in the wingfoil group and 10 in kitefoil.
Monegasques set the tempo
A brisk beautiful breeze gusting 30 knots ensured a great spectacle at sea put on by the 20-plus crews enjoying the first day of Act 1 of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series.
Organised by Yacht Club de Monaco since 2013, this monthly regatta series is a great opportunity for international teams to drop anchor in the Principality to race throughout the winter and prepare for the upcoming season.
Malizia-Seaexplorer set to conquer the Atlantic
After days of uncertainty due to very difficult weather conditions, the IMOCA fleet finally left Paul Vatine basin to take the start of the 16th Transat Jacques Vabre. It was at 09:30 that Malizia-Seaexplorer, the latest addition to Team Malizia founded by Yacht Club de Monaco Vice-President Pierre Casiraghi, crossed the start of this double-handed race. Led by German skipper Boris Herrmann and co-skipper Will Harris, the 60-footer is on course to Fort-de-France in Martinique with 39 other IMOCAs. The six Ocean Fifty and 44 Class40 boats started last Sunday 29th October as planned with the five Ultims and had to stop in Lorient while Storm Ciarán went through. According to the race organisers it had been impossible to find a harbour for all the IMOCAs hence the delay in Le Havre.
11 seasons of passion
Since 2013, the best J/70 teams have enjoyed taking advantage of the Mediterranean mild winters to come and race in the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, monthly regattas that have become a tradition for many, organised by Yacht Club de Monaco. This weekend a fleet will gather for the new season. Note that the J/70 Monaco Class Association has one of the largest fleets in the Mediterranean with some 20 teams sailing all year round under the Club’s flag.
An eventful weekend
An autumnal fixture on the Mediterranean calendar, the Grimaldi Trophy always attracts a large fleet for the inshore race from Sanremo to the Principality of Monaco with a stopover in Ventimiglia. The loyalty of owners and crews were rewarded again with a 2023 vintage that was no exception to the rule with 50-plus boats turning out despite the rough weather conditions.
Last big race of the 2023 season for Yacht Club de Monaco
As every year, Yacht Club de Monaco closes the summer racing season with the Grimaldi Trophy organised by Yacht Club Sanremo with a stage in the Principality.
Eighth win in the bag!
Smeralda 888 International Championship finale – 20-22 October 2023
Eighth win in the bag!
Sunday 22nd October 2023. The 2023 season has just ended for this Gentlemen racing fleet. Under its President Charles de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles the Smeralda 888 class has gone from strength to strength to become a must on the calendar. Saint-Tropez, Alassio, Porto Cervo, Calvi, Monaco and now Barcelona comprise the Mediterranean circuit. This year saw 17 teams in competition, a record that shows the class really has the wind in its sails.
Unbeatable
There are always many contenders in the race for first place in the Smeralda 888 International Championship. Some manage to occupy top stops more than others like the men on Vamos mi Amor helmed by Charles de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles. A 4th place in the finale in Monaco this weekend was enough for this gentleman to win the 2023 season, adding to an extraordinary record as it is his eighth championship title of his Smeralda 888 career.
Good start for the 40-strong fleet
Forty boats (12 nations) competing in the 18th Palermo-Montecarlo left the Gulf of Mondello at 12.50pm on Tuesday at the start of this 500 nautical mile offshore race to the Principality of Monaco, with an obligatory passage gate off Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
Never give up!
They had to be patient and wait until the final day of this penultimate regatta of the season. In light 7-8 knot conditions, the Race Committee managed two races. The first was won by Spindrift but Yacht Club de Monaco’s Esteban Garcia’s Realteam Sailing snatched victory in the second to win the TF35 Malcesine Cup.
Vladimir Prosikhin tops right out
History repeated itself for Vladimir Prosikhin on his Nika. The Yacht Club de Monaco member enjoyed winning a Melges 20 event in grand style as he clinched yet another victory, this time in Tuscany at Porto Ercole a full seven points ahead of the competition.