End of Round Robin stage
The Round Robin stage of the Louis Vuitton Cup has just concluded in thrilling style at the end of nine days of races during which the teams met each other twice.
The White Pirate calls into YCM
Opération Les Voiles Blanches
For the 5th Les Voiles Blanches, the legendary White Pirate set sail 24 August 2024 on a three-week adventure with a very special purpose aboard the 9.15m monohull, YKA. For the aim of this trip with 18 ports of call is to collect new gifts, in their original packaging, to distribute to children in hospital under the care of the Lenval Foundation in Nice. After Antibes, Cassis, Porquerolles and Sainte-Maxime, it was Yacht Club de Monaco’s turn to welcome him on Monday 9th September 2024.
A win for Vamos mi Amor
The penultimate meeting of the season saw the Smeralda 888 fleet competing in Barcelona for the second year in a row. It was an opportunity for these gentlemen racers to see how they stand up against the competition before the grand finale in Monaco 11-13 October.
Ehlen on target
Kitesurfers were to be found on the magnificent Lake Traunsee in Austria from 4-8 September for the Upper Austria Kitefoil Grand Prix.
This major competition marked the start of a new Olympic cycle in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles games. For contestants it was a highly anticipated event with the introduction of new equipment approved for Formula Kite racing on the Olympic circuit. Sail size limits also now apply, the maximum size for men is now 21sqm and for women 19sqm. The Monegasque Alexander Ehlen more than held his own in this competition finishing 6th after 12 races, seven of which he was in the top five.
Robbie Williams thrills the ninth Ferretti Group “Private Preview” at the Yacht Club de Monaco
The British pop star’s incredible live performance was the highlights of the preview that showcased Ferretti Group’s 37-strong fleet with 7 world premieres.
A night to remember and a feast for the eyes with a spectacular performance by Robbie Williams and the most beautiful boats in the world, all set in the magical atmosphere of Yacht Club de Monaco. The Ferretti Group “Private Preview” held on Saturday September 7 and organised with the Yacht Club de Monaco has a tradition of combining yachting, music, gourmet food and glamour.
A meeting synonymous with results
Barcelona was transformed into a beautiful floating museum for the 17th Puig Vela Clàssica that gathered 77 iconic boats from the 19th and 20th centuries. More than 800 sailors representing 17 countries were competing in the event which for the first time brought together the most prestigious historic categories. A loyal participant at classic yacht regattas, Yacht Club de Monaco’s gaff cutter Tuiga was there in the Big Boat category. YCM’s flagship crewed by enthusiastic members came 4th after three races in mostly tough conditions. Joining the throng of fabulous classic yachts was YCM’s Kostia Belkin’s Viola. After three exemplary races, the William Fife design came 2nd in the final overall ranking of the Vintage Gaff group, tied on equal points with the winner.
Consistency at all costs
TF 35 – Les Voiles de Choisi – Geneva
Another event, another superb result for Esteban Garcia from Yacht Club de Monaco. His TF35 Realteam Sailing, led by Jérôme Clerc with Sébastien Col on tactics, won Les Voiles de Choisi with a comfortable five-point lead over Sails of Change 8 to put the crew on the podium’s top step. This was an important win for the Realteam Sailing formation to stay in contention for this contest. Next stage is again in Geneva for the Realstone Cup when two teams face off in a finale that promises to be spectacular.
Penultimate stage of the season
With the Louis Vuitton Cup fast approaching in Barcelona, the TP52s were already set for the fourth regatta of their season. For this event there were two new entrants to the fleet bringing the number to 13 teams in competition for the Puerto Portals 52 Super Series Sailing Week. After winning one of two warm-up races, Alegre led by Yacht Club de Monaco’s Andres Soriano finished 7th overall at the end of nine races, having come in the top five in three races. It was a repeat of the boat’s 5th place at the TP52 World Championship late July. The fleet will be back out on the water for the last event of the season in Valencia in a few weeks’ time.
4th place for Tuiga
At the Copa del Rey de Barcos de Época, Yacht Club de Monaco’s gaff cutter Tuiga flew the flag high to finish 4th in the Big Boat category. The event drew 45 classic sailing yachts in five categories representing 10 nations.
Organised by Club Marítimo de Mahón the event was celebrating its 20th anniversary and despite difficult weather conditions, that tested the skills of crews on all boats, Tuiga demonstrated her potential during the three races. Thanks to clean committed starts and controlled mark roundings YCM’s flagship held her own against the competition.
Louis Vuitton Cup kicks off this Thursday
The Louis Vuitton Cup starts Thursday in Catalan waters off Barcelona and marks the true beginning of the 37th America’s Cup. As it is this phase when five Challengers compete for the right to challenge the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand for the Silver Ewer, led by Matteo de Nora, member of Yacht Club de Monaco’s Management Committee.