Finale Smeralda 888, last stage of Smeralda 888 International Championship 2020
Botta Dritta triumphs Everything is possible! for Beda
Sunday 11th October 2020. A nail-biting final stage of the Smeralda 888 International Championship took place this weekend in the bay of Monaco (8-11 October 2020).
The battle between nine teams, delighted to be out on the water competing in Monaco for the Finale Smeralda, was intense throughout the weekend.
Lying 6th in the provisional ranking on Saturday evening, YCM member Timofey Sukhotin took to heart the motto Everything is possible that adorns his 8.88m one design to pull off an inspired performance on a day of variable weather conditions in a 5 to 15 knot westerly. His determination won three of the four races completed to take 2nd in the final ranking for the weekend just behind Botta Dritta led by the young Francesco Vauban.
“Good blood doesn’t know how to lie!” The equally combative grandson of Adalberto Miani was not discouraged, winning the final race and the Finale, with Valter Pizzoli (Ange Transparent) completing the podium.
But consistency won out for the Championship title, with Timofey Sukhotin (Beda) pipping Francesco Vauban (Botta Dritta) to the post, equal on points but with more race wins thanks to his victory in the Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse last February and then the Coppa Europa (3-5 July 2020). It is the third time he and his loyal crew, sporting the FxPro logo, have won this annual championship since its launch in 2007.
Valter Pizzoli (Ange Transparent) was 3rd, beating by a whisker Charles de Bourbon des Deux Siciles (Vamos Mi Amor), class president and six-time holder of the title.
It has been a very special season which due to the current health crisis could not have been run without the owners and crews ability to adapt and respect guidelines, and the invaluable support of the Yacht Club de Monaco’s Flotte des Commissaires.
Next Smeralda 888 meeting is 4-7 March 2021 for the season opener at the 37th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse.
Time for the Environment
Initiated in 1974 by the United Nations, World Environment Day is celebrated every year on 5th June. The aim is to highlight support for actions taken to protect and improve the environment, a priority to which the Yacht Club de Monaco contributes with various initiatives. Having designed its new Clubhouse in compliance with HQE (Haute Qualité Environnementale) green building standards, YCM has since achieved ISO 14001 and recently the Egeo certificate issued by electricity/gas company, SMEG, confirming that all electricity used in the Club is generated by renewable sources. This gives it access to the e+ label benefits, governed by a “positive energy” Charter that references efficiency contributions by the sun, wind and water. The measure is fully in line with targets set by the Principality’s Energy Climate Plan.
A 7th edition reinvented
It may have been forced to change format for the first time since its launch in 2014, but this summer’s Monaco Solar & Energy Boat Challenge will go ahead – online – as exchanges on Open Source between participants is one of the building blocks on which this event focused on innovative propulsion systems has been built.
Yacht Life Cycle Analysis
An annual gathering for the yachting industry, the ‘La Belle Classe Superyachts’ Business Symposium, organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco as a dinner-debate, is an opportunity to analyse developments, challenges and problems in the sector but also for professionals and owners to meet at an evening that is unique. “It is always a pleasure to welcome those involved in the yachting chain for this event which celebrates its 12th edition this evening,” said Bernard d’Alessandri, YCM General Secretary.
Leaders domination at season opener
The Primo-Cup Trophée Credit Suisse is one of those classic winter events that keep up with tradition while always adding something new. A breath of fresh air for this 36th edition which delighted Yacht Club de Monaco General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri: “Alongside loyal regulars we welcomed two classes new to the event, L30 and Onefly. Every year, the Primo kicks off the season in the Mediterranean and we always aim for something new.”
War of nerves
36e Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse
J/70, Smeralda 888, Longtze Premier, Melges 20 and L30 competing, Plus exhibition fleet of the flying dinghy – Onefly
Monaco 8th February 2020 – Finesse at the helm and total control of manoeuvres were the order of the day for this Saturday of the Primo-Cup Trophée Credit Suisse, with one race completed in a 5-knot easterly that required concentration and patience from the 450 sailors.
Changes in the top threes
While some lost valuable points, others managed to go up the provisional ranking.
In the J/70s, the Russians on Elf held their nerve to consolidate their lead, 14 points clear of the team on Cer Aprotec – Ville de Genève. The Americans on CYC Seattle paid the price for their 26th place to drop down the ranking, while the YCM’s Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-Spottino) pulled off a well-earned 2nd to slip into the top three.
High flying spectacle
36th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse
J/70, Smeralda 888, Longtze Premier, Melges 20 and L30 competing, plus exhibition fleet of the flying dinghy – Onefly
Monaco 7th February 2020 – This will be a day to remember for the 450 sailors competing in the 36th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse. “It’s exceptional to have a hundred boats in February,” says a delighted Bernard d’Alessandri, the Yacht Club de Monaco’s General Secretary. “Coming to the Primo Cup has become a reflex for crews from all over the world.” And indeed, there are nearly 20 nations out there on the race area.
At sea it was like a postcard, with beautiful conditions: a steady 10-15 knot south-westerly on a flat sea in brilliant sunshine which saw three fiercely fought races completed for the whole fleet.
Six classes set for 36th edition
36th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse
J/70, Smeralda 888, Longtze Premier, Melges 20 and L30 competing, plus exhibition fleet of the flying dinghy – Onefly
Monaco, 29th January 2020 – The tradition continues in the Principality as the clock ticks down to the 36th Primo Cup, for the Credit Suisse Trophy and Slam garments, organised by the Yacht
Club de Monaco. A meeting par excellence for one-designs, the regatta has been held every February since 1985, the month it was launched at the instigation of YCM President HSH Prince
Albert II.
Brutus pips Arttube to the post
It took one small point to clinch victory, as Act 3 of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series went down to the wire. Organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco, in collaboration with clothing supplier SLAM, at the instigation of Valentin Zavadnikov, these monthly regattas have for the last seven years put on a fine show in Monaco’s bay.
Brutus takes the lead with Arttube in hot pursuit
7th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series
Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, with 45 teams from 13 nationalities making the trip to compete on the Monegasque race area. This is the stage for an exceptional meeting in October 2021 with the class World Championship, but meanwhile, teams from all over the world rigged up in the Principality.
An unstable 5-12 knot westerly meant the two races completed were incredibly tense, with wind shifts proving unsettling for many. It was enough to shake up the ranking established after the first two Acts in November and December.