Back to back victories
Coppa Europa Smeralda 888 – Porto Cervo | 8-10 July
Sunday 10th July 2022. After winning the Corsica Cup, class President Charles de Bourbon des Deux Siciles again topped the leaderboard in 1st place at the Coppa Europa, fifth stage of the circuit. Seven teams made the trip including Timofey Sukhotin (Beda), 2nd, followed by Paolo Rotelli / Nicolo Stimamiglio / Achille Onorato (Black Star). Francesco Vauban (Botta Dritta) came in 4th, Blandine Médecin (Monaco Plaisir – Show Lapin) 5th and Valter Pizzoli (Ange Transparent), 6th. Next meeting is 23-26 Setember for the Régates Royales de Cannes.
Yacht Club de Monaco jumps into the water
As it does every year, Yacht Club de Monaco welcomes young and old for the Fête de la Mer celebrating St Peter, the patron saint of fishermen, as a reminder of the timeless link the Principality has with the Mediterranean.
2nd place for Ludovico Fassitelli
J/70 Italia Cup – Alassio | 20-22 May 2022
Sunday 22nd May 2022. The competition had time to watch his transom, as Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda) demonstrated total control of his J/70 in the five races. After winning the 2021/22 Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, the Yacht Club de Monaco member is riding high a few months befor the J/70 World Championship being organised for the first time in Monaco (14-22 October 2022).
It seems the Monaco teams are used to occupying leading roles as evidenced by an excellent 5th place for Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-Spot). Meanwhile, Pierrik Devic (Leonteq) came 22nd ahead of Cesare Gabasio (TinnJ70) 25th, Graeme Peterson (Moonlight II) 28th, Loïc Pompée (Sailing Racing Team), 30th and Matteo Scandolera (Irruenza), 37th.
Serious opponents
J/70 Cup – Punta Ala | 22-24 April 2022
Sunday 24th April 2022. We already knew it but the facts confirm that the Monaco teams are up there with the best at major J/70 meetings. Present at the start of Act 1 of the Italian Championship held in Punta Ala, the red and whites were on fine form, like Loïc Pompée (Sailing Racing Team) who won the event, beating a tough international field.
The conditions could not have been more different over the two days, with a light unstable wind on the first day that had the whole fleet on their toes when it came to choosing the best tactics. It was all change on the second day with 18/20 knots gusting 30 to 35.
The Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series title holder Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda–Banca del Sempione) finished 5th with Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-Spot) 13th ahead of Graeme Peterson (Moonlight II) in 15th, and Pierrik Devic (Leonteq) and Cesare Gabasio (TinnJ0) 22nd and 24th.
The number out racing rises with every meeting as the J/70 World Championship being held in Monaco 14-22 October approaches.
A tight finish
Smeralda 888 – Trofeo Luigi Carpaneda | 8-10 April 2022
Sunday 10th April 2022. Nine Smeralda 888 teams turned out for the Trofeo Luigi Carpaneda that also counts toward the class’s Gold Cup. The winner of the YCM Awards in the Smeralda 888 category won this event, Francesco Vauban on Botta Dritta. Also competing on the race area in Alassio were the Swiss from Société Nautique de Genève in 2nd ahead of YCM’s Timofey Sukhotin (Beda) in 3rd.
Seven races were completed in variable often breezy 6-19 knot conditions, providing a tough regatta for the fleet that comprised professionals and amateurs, like the young sailors from YCM’s Sports Section who showed great fighting spirit throughout the event.
Next meeting on the agenda is the Coupe de l’Hippocampe at Saint-Tropez 6-8 May.
11th Environmental Symposium – La Belle Classe Superyachts: ‘Yachting with sense’
Monaco Ocean Week (20-25 March 2022)
Friday 25th March. As part of Monaco Ocean Week (20-25 March 2022), Yacht Club de Monaco was in charge of the yachting component during a week organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Monaco Government, in partnership with the Monaco Oceanographic Institute & Monaco Scientific Centre. The purpose was to progress thinking on how to protect the environment.
Oceanographers, captains, expedition leaders, biologists and maritime experts gathered to share their experiences and analyses on the theme ‘Yachting with sense’.The 11th Environmental Symposium was the scene of intense discussions on one of the most vulnerable regions that is attracting increasing numbers of visitors: the Antarctic.
American oceanographer and explorer, Sylvia Earle, an iconic leader in ocean preservation was on the panel, and who better to kick off the discussions. Referred to in jest as “Her Deepness”, a reference to the many records in exploration she has set during a long career, Sylvia Earle returned to the need to protect the ocean, so vital to life on Earth: “Let’s not take nature for granted,” she reminded the audience.
The last continent to be discovered and then explored, the Antarctic is drawing in the crowds while also being the region most threatened by global warming.
Thursday 24th March: Monaco Capital of Yachting
Monaco Ocean Week (20-25 March 2022)
Monday 21st March – The Principality of Monaco is all set to host the 5th Monaco Ocean Week, 20-25 March 2022, an initiative driven by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation alongside the Monaco Oceanographic Institute, the Monaco Scientific Centre (CSM) and Yacht Club de Monaco.
As it does every year, Yacht Club de Monaco is responsible for the yachting aspect on the Thursday, 24th March, with a full day dedicated to this important industry’s role.
“The sector is in the process of changing in the face of environmental issues; indeed the industry is actively evolving in response to the resulting constraints. All professionals involved in the sector are mobilised to propose concrete actions that make a difference and to speak as one voice,” says Bernard d’Alessandri, YCM General Secretary and President of the Cluster Yachting Monaco.
A full programme of meetings on Thursday 24th March is open to all (by prior registration), with a strong emphasis on innovation.
9.00am-3.45pm: 11th La Belle Classe Superyachts Environmental Symposium
9.45am-10.00am: Presentation on 2nd Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous
11.00am: Presentation on the Phase II road map of Monaco Capital of Yachting attended by YCM President HSH Prince Albert II
4.00pm-5.50pm: Monaco Energy Boat Challenge meetings
6.00pm: WISAMO – Innovation harnessing wind – talk by Michel Desjoyeaux
7.30pm: La Belle Classe Superyachts YCM Explorer Awards
11th La Belle Classe Superyachts Environmental Symposium: a long-term commitment
A fixture in the diaries of owners and their captains, this year’s symposium entitled Yachting with sense helps them keep up to date with developments and brings together all those involved in the sector to discuss the way forward in exchanges led by guest speakers invited to share their analyses and experiences.
A first roundtable (9.00am-11.00am) will focus on the Antarctic, followed by an afternoon session (2.00pm-3.45pm), entitled ‘Superyacht Crowdsourced Data Collection’ for scientific purposes.
Presentation of 2nd Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina rendezvous
A superb finale
38th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse & Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – Act IV
Sunday 6th March 2022. The temperature fell as the tension mounted on the last day of the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse, a flagship winter event organised by Yacht Club de Monaco, with technical clothing from Slam for all winners, launched 1985 at the instigation of YCM President, HSH Prince Albert II.
For the 38th edition 14 nations, 400 sailors and four classes (J/70, Smeralda 888, RS 21 & Longtze Premier) were competing. Some big names in sailing had made the trip including John Kostecki, winner of the Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup on USA 17, Michael Illbruck and 470 Olympic medallist Will Ryan.
One design racing in the spotlight
38th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse – Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – Act IV
Friday 4th March 2022. A double event for Yacht Club de Monaco with three days of races ahead. Some 400 sailors have made the trip to line up on the start of the 38th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse that doubles as the fourth and final act of the 9th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series.
Four classes are in competition this weekend: Smeralda 888, Longtze Premier and newcomers RS 21, alongside an impressive fleet of J/70s all with their sights set on the J/70 World Championship in Monaco from 14-22 October 2022.
Top sailors at the rendezvous
Each year many big names honour this classic with their presence, as the biggest winter meeting in the Mediterranean since it launched in 1985. In the 80-strong fleet of J/70s, competitors see it as one of the last test events before the Worlds. Some teams have jaw-dropping track records, like the Americans on Pinta whose crew includes Michael Illbruck, the new commodore at Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and American sailing legend, John Kostecki with ten World Champion titles to his name in different classes and victories in the Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup on USA 17.
After two races today, Découverte-Geo Mod has taken the lead in the provisional J/70 ranking ahead of the Americans on Good to Go followed by G-Spot led by Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio. Winner of the last Act, the YCM member regularly tops the ranking.
In Smeralda 888, there were some fierce tussles between YCM member boats before Beda grabbed 1st place in the provisional ranking ahead of Black Star followed by Botta Dritta. In the Longtze Premier, the Germans on Wetfleet top the leaderboard ahead of the Swiss on Shensu and Outsider.
J/70 Training Clinic
J/70 Training Clinic – 26-27 February
Ten teams turned out for the 4th J/70 Training Clinic of the year. Organised by YCM and supervised by high-level technique gurus it was a great opportunity for the Monegasque fleet to fine tune skills for upcoming regattas, including the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse and of course the J/70 World Championship here in Monaco (14-22 October).