Event gets underway

The opening ceremony of the 14th Monaco Optimist Team Race (https://yacht-club-monaco.mc/evenements/monaco-optimist-team-race/) marked the start of this event with a record 72 under-14 sailors divided into 18 teams of four. Organised by Yacht Club de Monaco with support from Monaco Marine, FxPro, sailing gear supplier SLAM, the Erplast boatyard and Peace and Sport, this international meeting tests these young people’s mastery of the team race format. “This event is a wonderful opportunity to highlight excellence, share knowledge and promote sailing to young generations, all Yacht Club de Monaco values which are part of our collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach,” explains YCM General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri.

A highly motivated group

As always there was a great atmosphere in the Yacht Club de Monaco’s Optimist team, out in force at the weekend for the 39th Meeting Internazionale del Mediterraneo with 12 competing. Nearly a hundred contestants turned out for three days of racing. In the older Minime group, Alexandra Santelli pulled off a very good 16th place ahead of Frederik Holst 21st followed by Océane Schroeder 22nd and Roman Lampert 33rd.

Two out of two for G-Spot

Monegasque Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-Spot) is the winner this week of Act II of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series. Now in its 11th season, the programme of monthly regattas from November to March organised by Yacht Club de Monaco continues to offer an exceptional setting for teams from all over Europe who welcome it as part of their preparations for the upcoming season.

Bronze Medal for Vladimir Prosikhin

Vladimir Prosikhin from Yacht Club de Monaco pulled off another fine performance in a major event. This time it was at the Melges 20 World Championship in Miami, a race venue the YCM member knows well, where he stood out from the competition.

Nico Poons holds on to his lead

For the second year in a row, Yacht Club de Monaco’s Nico Poons (Charisma) has won the RC44 season after racking up some outstanding results. Second in Oman, he followed that with victory in Marstrand and at the RC44 Worlds in Cowes. For this final event of the season he came 3rd. “This week we started reasonably well but had a low point due to the weather. The season was perfect: a second win and the World Championship title… What more could we wish for in a class as competitive as the RC44?” said Nico Poons when results were announced.

Sébastien Josse and Armel Le Cléac’h win Ultim prize

The 16th double-hander Transat Jacques Vabre ocean race from Le Havre to Martinique returned its verdict for the Ultim class with victory for Sébastien Josse and Armel Le Cléac’h. It took the Maxi 14 days 10 hours 14 minutes and 50 seconds to swallow up the 7,500 nautical miles.

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.

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.

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.