12th season on the blocks
Since 2013, the best J/70 teams have been descending on Monaco to line up on the start of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series of monthly regattas organised by Yacht Club de Monaco. A winter tradition, these gatherings are an ideal opportunity for teams to continue racing at the highest level to prepare for next season.
The Vendée as if we were there!
To give members an opportunity to experience the adventures of Boris Herrmann, its skipper competing in the Vendée Globe aboard Malizia-Seaexplorer, Yacht Club de Monaco is organising regular discussions during the event. Race facts, weather conditions, ranking, strategic choices, a virtual regatta update, etc. are all on the agenda for these gatherings.
On Wednesday it was the turn of Will Harris, substitute skipper of the Monegasque IMOCA, to front the first meeting four days before the start. Speaking from Les Sables d’Olonne, he was more than happy to answer questions from around hundred Club members and young sailors from the Sports Section.
As part of the collective ‘Monaco Capital of Advanced Yachting’ initiative to promote innovation in yachting and inspire young people to consider vocations in this field, the round the world race will be followed with passion by YCM sailors and Monegasque supporters of Team Malizia.
New blood for new generation
The ILCA competition team in the Yacht Club de Monaco’s Sports Section did very well at the National Autumn Cup in Hyères, a major meeting for young sailors. Six races were completed for the 128-strong ILCA 6 fleet by contestants from France, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Germany, India, Guatemala, Ukraine and Monaco.
ClubSwan 28: new star on the circuit
The Swan Sardinia Challenge concluded in Villasimius, Sardinia. This international event hosted the final leg of the Nations League 2024 of the ClubSwan Racing One Design circuit that showcased the brand new ClubSwan 28. Ideal weather conditions saw eight races completed, with a 10-14 knot easterly on the last day.
Yacht Club de Monaco was well represented in this stage by the crew on Oocz, that included Federico Michetti, clinching 5th place in the overall ranking.
Malizia-Seaexplorer competing in Vendée Globe under Monaco flag
40 sailors will set out from Les Sables-d’Olonne on the 10th Vendée Globe. Among them will be the German Boris Herrmann, member of Yacht Club de Monaco. He is participating in this epic 24,300 nautical mile (45,000km) solo, non-stop round-the-world without assistance race, aboard the Monaco-flagged IMOCA Malizia-Seaexplorer.
Two podiums for YCM
The Swan One Design Worlds ended in spectacular fashion in Palma de Mallorca with World Champions crowned in three ClubSwan Racing classes. Right to the end, the outcome of this Nations League remained uncertain. Yacht Club de Monaco members did themselves proud, particularly in the ClubSwan 50 where one small point separated YCM’s Graeme and Raquel Peterson (Moonlight) from victory. In the event they took the silver medal after six races. Last year’s winner Leonardo Ferragamo’s Cuordileone was 3rd.
Argynne III takes YCM to top of podium
With winds nudging 30 knots, autumnal conditions were the order of the first day of the 41st Trophée Grimaldi which did not dampen the enthusiasm of the 50 contesting boats that managed to complete two of the event’s races, those between Sanremo and Ventimiglia.
Great result for YCM’s Olivier Campana and Nicolas Milanesio
Congratulations to Olivier Campana and Nicolas Milanesio for a hard-won 2nd place in the Monte-Carlo E-Rally at the wheel of a BMW i4, official YCM partner.
Trophée Grimaldi: promising weekend on the horizon
As weather forecasts shape up for the weekend, crews competing in the 41st Trophée Grimaldi are busy with final preparations for this coastal event. Jointly organised by Yacht Club de Monaco and the Sanremo Yacht Club, this race takes place over three days with three stages, starting from Sanremo with the first stage to Cala del Forte in Ventimiglia then a stopover in Monaco. This year sees some 50 boats from the most prestigious yacht clubs on the Riviera gather in Sanremo.
Black Jack 2nd in real time
After an epic duel, the Black Jack 100 skippered by Tristan Le Brun from Yacht Club de Monaco clinched a superb 2nd in real time at the 45th Rolex Middle Sea Race. A mere 18 minutes separated them from the winner, Seng Huang Lee’s Scallywag, who covered the 606 nautical mile course in 2 days 21 hours 33 minutes 29 seconds.