Y.C.M. sailors at the forefront

The first selection event for the French Championship concluded in Antibes during the 51st edition of the Ski Voile, held on 24 and 25 January 2026. The regatta was marked by contrasting conditions, with a demanding Saturday due to strong winds, followed by a lighter Sunday, requiring a high level of adaptability from the sailors. In this technical context, the YCM sailors delivered a solid performance, highlighting both individual progress and strong team cohesion.

Italians from Yacht Club Italiano triumph by a whisker

It could not have been closer. The Monaco Optimist Team Race ended Sunday at the end of an intense week on a challenging Monaco race area for the 15 teams from 12 nations competing. Organised by Yacht Club de Monaco, supported by Monaco Marine, FxPro, North Sails, Erplast and Peace and Sport, the 14th edition confirmed this event’s unique role in the development of young international sailors, who were honoured by a visit from the Monegasque Formula 1 driver, Charles Leclerc. The Italians from Yacht Club Italiano emerged the winners after a hard-fought high-level duel with the Danes from Danish Dynamite, who had held on to their lead up to that point. Four boats against four, short races and having to keep a constant eye on the competition, the team race format once again lived up to expectations. For Bernard d’Alessandri, YCM Director and General Secretary, the event goes beyond the rankings: “Young people learn that they must look beyond individual results to get results for the team. They learn to coordinate and interact with young people of their own age. It’s a wonderful training ground for life”.

Danes hold on to the lead with Italians hot on their heel

On the eve of the final day the Monaco Optimist Team Race is living up to expectations. This evening the Danes maintain their lead in the provisional rankings but the competition is dangerously close. On the Monegasque race area, Day 3 of the Round Robin phase has seen gaps narrowing and suspense ratcheting up. With seven match races held on Saturday in conditions that remained challenging, the contest looks more open than ever.

Danes lead the way

The Round Robin phase continues on the Monegasque race area and, race after race, a hierarchy is beginning to emerge. After two days of competition, the Danes are leading the way in a Monaco Optimist Team Race that this year brings together 15 teams from 12 nations across the globe. Under overcast sky, with a steady easterly breeze and a demanding chop at the foot of the Rock, 10 races were sailed on Friday in technical conditions that left no room for improvisation.

First races on the Monegasque race area

The first races on the Monegasque race area got underway today with the official start of the Monaco Optimist Team Race. After three days of International Clinic focused on preparation, rules and team cohesion, the competition is now well and truly underway. On a demanding race area, with a light easterly breeze, the atmosphere quickly changed. Young sailors are discovering what it really means to sail under pressure and in close contact.

A collective experience for the next generation of sailors

The true meaning of the collective experience of the Monaco Optimist Team Race is set to come into its own after three days of an International Training Clinic, 12-14 January, when young sailors from all over the world get down to business. On the Monegasque race area the atmosphere is charged with emotion and intense as these 12-13-14-year olds discover what it really means to sail as part of a team under pressure in this unique format. Since its launch in 2010, this Yacht Club de Monaco regatta has established itself as a pivotal event in the development of young sailors, as it’s not just about performance, but learning and passing on knowledge.

An international event for young sailors

Fourteen editions, hundreds of match races and always with the same intensity. Launched in 2010, the Monaco Optimist Team Race is established as one of the most high-profile meetings in the Optimist world, a class that has trained thousands of young sailors.

SCORE training at the Yacht Club de Monaco

At the start of 2026, La Belle Classe Academy opened its doors to racing by hosting a training session dedicated to the new scoring software developed by the French Sailing Federation. On Sunday 11 January, race officials, volunteers from the Flotte des Commissaires and event organisers gathered at the Yacht Club de Monaco for a SCORE training session. The initiative reaffirms YCM’s commitment to knowledge transmission and supporting everyone involved in racing, by putting education and rigour at the heart of its sports project.

Leg 3 of Dragon Winter Series – Sanremo

Dragon Winter Series: YCM members were on the podium at Leg 3 of the Dragon Winter Series held in Sanremo 9 to 11 January 2026. After a day of no action due to lack of wind, five races were completed in excellent conditions to ensure a spectacular start to 2026 for the Dragon class. After an intense weekend, the Monegasque crews excelled to stand on the top two steps of the podium.

Podium finish for Marco Viti

Marco Viti was on the podium at the 68th International Star Regatta in Nice, with the Yacht Club de Monaco member putting in a fine performance at this major winter meeting. After eight races completed between 27 and 30 December in an experienced tightly-packed fleet, he came 3rd in the overall ranking, confirming his status in the Star class.