Countdown begins
Just a couple of weeks left before the start of the 18th Palermo-Montecarlo. Organised by Circolo della Vela Sicilia in partnership with Yacht Club de Monaco and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, this event has become a classic on the Mediterranean circuit since its launch in 2005.
Numerous title contenders will be joining the fleet on the start in the Gulf of Mondello to tackle the 500 nautical miles that separate Sicily from the Principality of Monaco via an obligatory passage gate off Porto Cervo, Sardinia. Registrations continue to flow in, last tally being 44 boats.
A firm fixture in the international summer calendar, the Palermo-Montecarlo is a stage in the Italian Offshore Championship organised by the Italian Sailing Federation and IMA (Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge), also the Class40 Mediterranean Trophy and the 2023 Inshore and Offshore Championship and Trophies in the crewed IRC category.
Since its launch the overall level of the event continues to rise in terms of quality of participants and the international nature of the race which this year again has 12 nations represented. Among the latest to sign up is the Grand Soleil 48 Le Joy, skippered by Thierry Leret from YCM, organising partner which has never failed to participate. Also the Cookson 50 Kuka3 owned by the Italian-Swiss Franco Niggeler, skippered by a great former Olympian, the Australian Mitch Booth.
Headliners
Five Maxi yachts are in the line-up this year including YCM’s Peter Harburg’s Black Jack. Skippered by Marc Bradford, the crew on this 100-footer includes champions like New Zealand tactician Brad Butterworth, Joao Signorini and Alex Nolan. Winner of this year’s 151 Miglia Trofeo Cetilar and the Rolex Giraglia, Black Jack faces a major rival in the form of ARCA SGR, another 100-footer belonging to Furio Benussi. Other headliners are Claudio Demartis’ 90-foot Shockwave 3 Prosecco DOC flying the Circolo della Vela Sicilia flag and Yacht Club Monfalcone plus two VO65s fresh from The Ocean Race, Austrian Ocean Team and I Love Poland.
Palermo-Montecarlo for women
It is also the first time the Palermo-Montecarlo has an all-female crew on a boat Moogli, an 11m Dufour 36. For owner-helmsman Caroline Petit, member of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez for 25 years, this participation is a “dream I’ve had for ages and now we’re making it come true! Some of us took part in the Rolex Giraglia this year and I was in the double-hander Transquadra in 2022. I have full confidence in the boat, the crew and myself”. The Marseille sailor highlights the importance of having an all-female crew as “sailing is still essentially a male sport but boats can be helmed by women as well as men. Women sailors can fulfil all roles on board successfully, including those traditionally reserved for men. I am convinced of this and want to lead by example”.
The crew on Moogli comprises Emilie Bertrand, Hélène Duchassin, Camille Guebels, Sandrine Mournic and Cecilia Rastello.
What they said:
Mauro Pelaschier, an emblematic face on the Italian sailing scene returns to the Palermo-Montecarlo having competed in nearly all editions:
“I am very attached to Palermo and Mondello as that’s where I won my first Italian title in the Finn class. I remember that my opponents included Ubaldo Bruni, Checco, Ganga and Marco’s father. Agostino Randazzo himself, now President of Circolo della Vela Sicilia, was a friend as he raced 470s and we often met at regattas.
I then met his father, Angelo, who was president of the Circolo at the time. He got to know me and wanted to talk to me about the idea of this new race, asking me for ideas on how to make it appealing to sailors and owners.
I remember the first piece of advice I gave him was practical. I told him that in August boats are equipped for cruising and that to prepare to race they have to take off a lot of gear. So if you arrange lorries to collect the gear and take it to Monaco you are offering a useful service and that encourages people to participate. That’s how he organised this service that has been a resounding success and still today makes the Palermo-Montecarlo unique of its kind.
Another suggestion concerned the route which should have included a passage via Strait of Bonifacio as leaving Corsica to the west often means finding yourself downwind of the island without air. For the first edition, we were on the glorious Steinlager II. Agostino was also on board. The boat had fairly old sails and finding a strong wind in the Strait we decided to skirt Corsica to the east. We still won in real time but lost in corrected time. I will be at the Palermo-Montecarlo this year again on the ELO with Yacht Club Italiano”.
Nigh on 40 boats already registered
With the 18th Palermo-Montecarlo, the 500 nautical mile Mediterranean crossing from Sicily to Monaco, fast approaching, expectations are growing as interesting updates keep arriving.
There are 30 days left before the start on Tuesday 22nd August from the Gulf of Mondello and nearly 40 yachts have already registered, a high-quality international fleet with many French teams signed up. Five Maxis have entered: Peter Harburg’s 100-foot Black Jack from YCM, winner this year of two prestigious line honours at the 151 Miglia Trofeo Cetilar and the Rolex Giraglia; the other 100-footer ARCA SGR, owned by Furio Benussi’s Fast and Furio Sailing Team; two VO65s returning from the Grand Finale of The Ocean Race in Genoa namely the Austrian Ocean Team (Team Genova) skippered by Gerwin Jansen, and Gregor Baranowski’s I Love Poland; and Claudio Demartis’s 90-footer Shockwave 3 Prosecco Doc representing the Palermo-Montecarlo event organisers, Circolo della Vela Sicilia.
High level and international
Two thirds of the boats registered so far have international flags, most of them French. In addition to the five Maxis, all eyes will be on the many highly competitive in corrected time offshore French race boats such as Dominique Tian’s Tonnerre del Glen, winner of the last Palermo-Montecarlo in IRC, as well as Chenapan 4, the Maltese Artie Jeep, HH42 already seen at the Rolex Middle Sea Race, Colombre of Massimo Juris (who races in the X2 category in pairs) and Marc Rouanne’s Jacanda 3. Also competing are three Class40s, led by high profile French sailor Kito de Pavant (Made in Midi), now a regular at the Palermo-Montecarlo, ACI 40 skippered by Ivica Kostelic, the Croatian former Olympic gold medalist in skiing, and French Marie Goulven’s OPA.
The 18th Palermo-Montecarlo also sees the first 100% female crewed entry on the Dufour 36 performance Moogli led by French skipper Caroline Petit.
It looks set to be a scintillating Palermo-Montecarlo 2023, speaking in many languages and above all that of sailing! In Mondello and at the Marina di Villa Igiea where the boats will be moored, they are preparing the pre-regatta programme: welcome cocktail, press conference and skippers meeting. The same is happening for the prestigious finish line of the race at Yacht Club de Monaco, and not forgetting the partnership with Yacht Club Costa Smeralda where the obligatory passage gate will be set in front of the marina.
International one design elite dominate 39th edition
39th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse – Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – Act IV | 2-5 March 2023
Sunday 3rd March 2023. The curtain fell on the 39th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse in partnership with Sebago, Monaco City Hall and clothing supplier SLAM who every year awards the top three teams with sailing gear. Twelve nations, 300-plus sailors and three classes gathered for this one design regatta that has become a classic since its launch by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco in 1985. In all 15 Smeralda 888s, a dozen Longtze Premiers and over 50 J/70s raced in this event which also doubles as the fourth and final Act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series.
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J/70: unexpected twist at the top
Idyllic conditions continued to the final day with a steady 8 knots more than enough for teams to get the maximum potential from their boats. In the J/70, YCM’s Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio’s G-Spot appeared all but unbeatable in the first four races before conceding final victory to the Italians on Alice. “The level was high, first given the presence of so many boats in the Monaco J/70 Class Association, but also top Italian and Swiss teams,” noted the G-Spot helmsman. Alessandro Molla’s Viva completed the podium. In the Corinthian (amateur) category, the Swiss on Aiola snatched top step of the podium ahead of the Brits on Brutus and the Swiss on Rhubarbe-3Nuits.com.
Idyllic conditions!
39th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse – Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – Act IV | 2-5 March 2023
Saturday 4th March 2023. Four races were completed in a lovely southwesterly breeze on the second day of the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse. Organised under the aegis of the collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach, in partnership with Sebago, Monaco City Hall and clothing supplier SLAM who rewards the top three teams with sailing gear, once again Yacht Club de Monaco pulled out all the stops for the 300 sailors competing in three classes.
Congratulations!
There are days when all conditions are met from start to finish, with a flat azure blue sea, a steady 8-10 knot southwesterly and unchanging course. In the J/70 class, competing here for the fourth and final Act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, it was impossible to ignore talents such as those on G-Spot. With an XXL career and finest track record of the event, YCM’s Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-Spot) led with a masterful hand, his crew working in perfect harmony to take the lead in the provisional ranking, a comfortable nine points ahead of two Italian teams on Alice and Viva. In the Corinthian (amateur) category the Swiss on Rhubarbe-3Nuits.com top the leaderboard ahead of the French on Sage Engineers and the Swiss on Quarter2Eleven.
A level playing field required all teams to be at the top of their game, and after a few general recalls the fleet settled down to concentrate on the race and impeccable procedures.
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.