Boris Herrmann approaching Cape Horn
After 56 days of racing, Boris Herrmann (Seaexplorer-Yacht Club de Monaco) is set to round Cape Horn for the fifth time in his career, but first time solo. The German skipper should pass this legendary point during Monday to Tuesday night.
Vendée Globe: Boris Herrmann and Jean Le Cam neck and neck
On this Christmas Day, 25th December 2020, Charlie Dalin (Apivia) has regained the advantage early this morning, setting up a royal duel with Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq IV), who has led the Vendée Globe for eight days.
Alexander Ehlen achieves goal
They had been waiting so long for this meeting and were not disappointed. The 55 contestants, representing 14 nations, put on a show in kiteboarding heaven at Playa de Las Burras in the Canaries at the Open Kitefoil European Championship.
Perseverance and consistency rewarded. Tribute paid to Seaexplorer-Yacht Club de Monaco
Yacht Club de Monaco Winter Cocktail I YCM Awards – Trophée Credit Suisse
The traditional Winter Cocktail, which welcomes new members before the YCM Awards – Trophée Credit Suisse are presented, went ahead this year albeit remotely in compliance with the current health situation. Yacht Club de Monaco President, HSH the Sovereign Prince Albert II, rewarded sailors who proudly fly the Principality’s colours and have made a mark on the world’s race areas.
Christmas Regatta: a warm up for the YCM teams
11-13 December 2020.
Sunday 13th December 2020. Some 30 boats turned out in Monaco’s bay for the Christmas Regatta that replaced the first act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, postponed due to the health situation, but which served as a warm-up for the Monaco teams. Alongside the J/70 and Smeralda 888 classes were Optimists, Lasers and Nacra 15s, all taking full advantage of the course set by the Race Committee.
No surprises in the J/70
He looked like the favourite and lived up to that reputation. Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda) clinched first place in the final ranking, with two race wins and leading pack positions for the five races completed over the three days. Behind the Italian YCM member came young Jérémie Moutout and his team (YCM Lokomotiv) in 2nd followed by Guillaume Charon (Kiss and Fly).
End of qualifiers
E-Sailing Autumn Championship
Sunday 6th December 2020. E-Sailing Autumn Championship contestants are on the home straight. Organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco on Virtual Regatta Inshore, the event has attracted 42 sailors who have been meeting on the digital race area every Sunday for the last three weeks. Start procedures, protests and a set of “Racing Rules of E-sailing” drawn up by World Sailing are just some of the criteria that has turned a game into a proper regatta.
A total of nine races have been completed, with the masterly Tangi Le Goff still topping the provisional ranking with eight race wins. Young Mathis Duplomb from the Sports Centre has climbed to 3rd place.
The grand finale is on Sunday 13th December.
Christmas Regatta: rehearsal for locals
Christmas Regatta from 10-13 December
In the run up to the end of year festivities, Yacht Club de Monaco is organising a Christmas Regatta from 10-13 December.
Due to the health crisis and to ensure a level playing field for the many international teams who descend on the Principality every year for the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, the organisers have decided to postpone Act 1, initially scheduled for December, and offer a training regatta for local teams. A dress rehearsal, it’s a great opportunity to warm up before the Winter Series starts in earnest next year with the first meeting set for 14-17 January 2021, followed by Act 2 from 4-7 February and culminating in the 37th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse (4-7 March 2021).
J/70s and Smeralda 888s all set
Two of the most active one design classes will be out on the water for this Christmas Regatta: J/70 and Smeralda 888. Among the dozen J/70s registered, Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda) is the big favourite. This YCM member has not lost his touch as evidenced by his recent victory in the Corinthian (amateur) category of the Italian Championship. In the Smeralda 888 class, Timofey Sukhotin and his crew on Beda, winners of the 2019/2020 season, will undoubtedly be the team to beat in 2021.
For participants it’s a chance to brush up on starts, trimming and tactics under race conditions.
Smeralda 888 gear up for next season
Smeralda 888
The Smeralda 888 crews are already looking ahead to 2021 and have a provisional schedule drawn up. The annual Championship comprises six events, starting with the 37th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse (4-7 March 2021), a big one design meeting. The fleet will then head to Saint-Tropez, Alassio (Italy), Calvi (Corsica) and Porto Cervo (Sardinia) before the grand finale mid-October in Monaco.
Finale Smeralda 888, last stage of Smeralda 888 International Championship 2020
Botta Dritta triumphs Everything is possible! for Beda
Sunday 11th October 2020. A nail-biting final stage of the Smeralda 888 International Championship took place this weekend in the bay of Monaco (8-11 October 2020).
The battle between nine teams, delighted to be out on the water competing in Monaco for the Finale Smeralda, was intense throughout the weekend.
Lying 6th in the provisional ranking on Saturday evening, YCM member Timofey Sukhotin took to heart the motto Everything is possible that adorns his 8.88m one design to pull off an inspired performance on a day of variable weather conditions in a 5 to 15 knot westerly. His determination won three of the four races completed to take 2nd in the final ranking for the weekend just behind Botta Dritta led by the young Francesco Vauban.
“Good blood doesn’t know how to lie!” The equally combative grandson of Adalberto Miani was not discouraged, winning the final race and the Finale, with Valter Pizzoli (Ange Transparent) completing the podium.
But consistency won out for the Championship title, with Timofey Sukhotin (Beda) pipping Francesco Vauban (Botta Dritta) to the post, equal on points but with more race wins thanks to his victory in the Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse last February and then the Coppa Europa (3-5 July 2020). It is the third time he and his loyal crew, sporting the FxPro logo, have won this annual championship since its launch in 2007.
Valter Pizzoli (Ange Transparent) was 3rd, beating by a whisker Charles de Bourbon des Deux Siciles (Vamos Mi Amor), class president and six-time holder of the title.
It has been a very special season which due to the current health crisis could not have been run without the owners and crews ability to adapt and respect guidelines, and the invaluable support of the Yacht Club de Monaco’s Flotte des Commissaires.
Next Smeralda 888 meeting is 4-7 March 2021 for the season opener at the 37th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse.
Time for the Environment
Initiated in 1974 by the United Nations, World Environment Day is celebrated every year on 5th June. The aim is to highlight support for actions taken to protect and improve the environment, a priority to which the Yacht Club de Monaco contributes with various initiatives. Having designed its new Clubhouse in compliance with HQE (Haute Qualité Environnementale) green building standards, YCM has since achieved ISO 14001 and recently the Egeo certificate issued by electricity/gas company, SMEG, confirming that all electricity used in the Club is generated by renewable sources. This gives it access to the e+ label benefits, governed by a “positive energy” Charter that references efficiency contributions by the sun, wind and water. The measure is fully in line with targets set by the Principality’s Energy Climate Plan.