Alexander Ehlen achieves goal
They had been waiting so long for this meeting and were not disappointed. The 55 contestants, representing 14 nations, put on a show in kiteboarding heaven at Playa de Las Burras in the Canaries at the Open Kitefoil European Championship.
Perseverance and consistency rewarded. Tribute paid to Seaexplorer-Yacht Club de Monaco
The traditional Winter Cocktail, which welcomes new members before the YCM Awards – Trophée Credit Suisse are presented, went ahead this year albeit remotely in compliance with the current health situation. Yacht Club de Monaco President, HSH the Sovereign Prince Albert II, rewarded sailors who proudly fly the Principality’s colours and have made a mark on the world’s race areas.
Christmas Regatta: a warm up for the YCM teams
Some 30 boats turned out in Monaco’s bay for the Christmas Regatta that replaced the first act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, postponed due to the health situation, but which served as a warm-up for the Monaco teams. Alongside the J/70 and Smeralda 888 classes were Optimists, Lasers and Nacra 15s, all taking full advantage of the course set by the Race Committee.
Christmas Regatta: rehearsal for locals
Due to the health crisis and to ensure a level playing field for the many international teams who descend on the Principality every year for the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, the organisers have decided to postpone Act 1, initially scheduled for December, and offer a training regatta for local teams. A dress rehearsal, it’s a great opportunity to warm up before the Winter Series starts in earnest next year with the first meeting set for 14-17 January 2021, followed by Act 2 from 4-7 February and culminating in the 37th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse (4-7 March 2021).
Smeralda 888 gear up for next season
The Smeralda 888 crews are already looking ahead to 2021 and have a provisional schedule drawn up. The annual Championship comprises six events, starting with the 37th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse (4-7 March 2021), a big one design meeting. The fleet will then head to Saint-Tropez, Alassio (Italy), Calvi (Corsica) and Porto Cervo (Sardinia) before the grand finale mid-October in Monaco.
Finale Smeralda 888, last stage of Smeralda 888 International Championship 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.
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
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
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.
s 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
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.