Mega win in third stage

There was no time to breath for the eight teams competing in the third stage of the Smeralda 888 championship held in Monaco bay, which participants know well. Having won four of the seven races, Class President and owner of Vamos mi Amor, Charles de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles, dominated the competition to take 1st place, six points ahead of Botta Dritta helmed by Francesco Vauban. In 3rd was Loïc Pompée on Kazimo d’Eau, a regular in the J/70 class making a seamless transfer of skills. As it stands, six teams are now in the running to take the 2021 title and will be in Porto Cervo 23-25 July for the fourth stage.

Yachting energy revolution!

As part of Monaco Ocean Week (22-27 March 2021), Yacht Club de Monaco was responsible for the yachting component during a week organised by the Prince Albert II Foundation and Monaco Government, in partnership with the Monaco Oceanographic Institute and Monaco Scientific Centre, the purpose of which was to progress thinking on how to protect the marine environment.

YCM therefore held its 10th La Belle Classe Superyachts Environmental Symposium on 25th March to bring owners and captains up to date with what is happening on this issue in yachting and unite all those involved in the sector. YCM sees itself as a crossroads for discussions. Due to the global health situation, there was a new format this year with a full day of talks and lively debates held in-person and remotely. Six experts in their field, including explorer Mike Horn and journalist Guillaume Pitron attended to share their experience and expertise on the theme: New energy sources and carbon emissions: looking forward.

Convincing win for G-Spot

37th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse

Sunday 7th March 2021. Competitors enjoyed six races for the 37th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse. Only members present in the Principality could take part due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the latest government guidelines. As every year, thanks to the loyal support of long-time partner SLAM, the first three teams in each class won garments from the technical clothing range of this Italian supplier. Varying conditions spiced up the contests with a 6-7 knot easterly on the Friday blowing up to 25 knots on the Saturday before fading away on Sunday.

Tough battles at the top

A fantastic day for competitors this Saturday with a 15 knot easterly gusting 25 knots on a slight chop, optimal conditions for completing three races back to back.

Tough battles at the top

G-Spot takes lead in the J/70s

Due to the covid-19 pandemic and to comply with the government’s latest guidelines, the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse is going ahead in a format not seen since its launch in 1985. The 37th edition is open only for members of the organisers, Yacht Club de Monaco, and sailors resident in the Principality, as the Club is keen to give local sailors an opportunity to race in Monaco while fully respecting the health measures in force.

A 2021 edition reserved for member sailors in the Principality

Due to the covid-19 pandemic and to comply with the government’s latest guidelines, the 37th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco from 4-7 March 2021 is now only open to member sailors in the Principality and will be contested exclusively in Monegasque territorial waters.

The YCM decided to adapt by maintaining this regatta, which has been held every year since 1985 and kick-starts the one design season in the Mediterranean, with a reduced format which allows local crews to sail in compliance with current health measures. Only two classes, both of which are very active in the Principality, will be competing from Friday 5th March with the first warning signal at 12 noon for the J/70s, united in the Monaco J/70 Class Association, and the Smeralda 888s. As every year, thanks to the support of long-time partner SLAM, the first three boats in each class of the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse will receive garments from the Italian supplier’s technical range.

In the interests of fair-play for the many international teams who usually descend on Monaco for the winter season, the results of the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse, which would normally also be the last act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, will not count towards the final ranking for 2021. Only results from Act 1 in January (14-17) and Act 2 in February (4-7) will count. Prize-giving for the 2019-2020 Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series will take place remotely on Saturday 6th March at 7.00pm.

Three classes set to close winter one design season

Around 60 teams in three classes (J/70, Smeralda 888 and Dragon) are set to compete in Monaco for the traditional Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse from 4-7 March 2021. Launched in 1985 at the instigation of YCM President, HSH Prince Albert II, the regatta which awards garments from Slam Advanced Technology Sportswear is the largest European winter race meeting in the Mediterranean.

Victory for Beda!

The meeting had the air of a scaled-up warm-up in the run up to the 37th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse for the Smeralda 888 teams who kept up the pace this weekend at their Match Racing event. It has been ten years since the fleet competed in this format, similar to that of the America’s Cup. In a game of one-on-one duels, Timofey Sukhotin (Beda), current champion of this class, lifted the cup. Francesco Vauban and his crew on Botta Dritta clinched 2nd, followed by Andréa Startari (Gorilla Gang). A great warm-up before the Primo Cup on 5-7 March.

Two Monaco teams on the podium

Twenty-three teams came together for Act 2 of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series. The Monegasques on G-spot, led by YCM member Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio, lifted the cup followed by another member, Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda-Banca del Sempione), the final day turning the tide in what has been a thrilling regatta.

Monaco shines at home

The 15/25 knot easterly of the first two days gave way to a 12 knot westerly-southwesterly on Sunday, superb conditions that took the total number of races to nine. But doubts remained up to the last race as to who in the top trio would clinch the cup.

In the end, it was Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-spot) who triumphed, three points ahead of Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda-Banca del Sempione). These two Monaco teams were the only ones really able to dislodge the talented Claudia Rossi and her men on Petite Terrible-Adria Ferries, the European Champions who won Act 1 of this Winter Series. All three teams impressed from start to finish by the control they had of their boats, their fluid manoeuvres and ability to mark opponents without ever letting go. YCM excelled this weekend with five teams in the top ten including Cesare Gabasio (Tinnj70) who finished 2nd in the Corinthian (amateur) category, just behind the Swiss on Rhubarbe. At the end of these first two acts, Petite Terrible-Adria Ferries tops the ranking ahead of G-spot then Junda-Banca del Sempione.

Keeping up the pace

The easterly wind kept blowing for the second day of racing, with a steady 18 knots filling in to 25, giving the sailors a real blast in the midst of the swell. Long downwind surfs, fast manoeuvres round the marks with hulls heeled over upwind, there was no rest for the fleet at this mid-point in the second act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series.
Sweet revenge