Athena Pathway and Saskia Clark shine in 2nd
The first Puig Women’s America’s Cup saw the two top all-female teams in a nail-biting duel of strategy and skill. The Italian team on Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli narrowly triumphed over Athena Pathway, the British team comprising Hannah Mills, Tash Bryant, Hannah Diamond and Saskia Clark who is a member of Yacht Club de Monaco.
Eighth win in the bag!
Smeralda 888 International Championship finale – 20-22 October 2023
Eighth win in the bag!
Sunday 22nd October 2023. The 2023 season has just ended for this Gentlemen racing fleet. Under its President Charles de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles the Smeralda 888 class has gone from strength to strength to become a must on the calendar. Saint-Tropez, Alassio, Porto Cervo, Calvi, Monaco and now Barcelona comprise the Mediterranean circuit. This year saw 17 teams in competition, a record that shows the class really has the wind in its sails.
Unbeatable
There are always many contenders in the race for first place in the Smeralda 888 International Championship. Some manage to occupy top stops more than others like the men on Vamos mi Amor helmed by Charles de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles. A 4th place in the finale in Monaco this weekend was enough for this gentleman to win the 2023 season, adding to an extraordinary record as it is his eighth championship title of his Smeralda 888 career.
11 days before the big departure
Only 11 days left before the start of the 18th Palermo-Montecarlo 2023, a 500-nautical-mile offshore race between Sicily and the Principality of Monaco, organized by the Circolo della Vela Sicilia in collaboration with the Yacht Club de Monaco and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.
A prestigious lineup
This edition will bring together a substantial fleet, including five Maxis, such as ARCA SGR from the Fast and Furio Sailing Team led by Furio Benussi. For the team, it’s a real race against time to be ready for the start after months of intense construction work. Other top contenders for victory include Black Jack, owned by Australian yachtsman Peter Harburg, Shockwave Prosecco DOC by Claudio Demartis, representing the Circolo della Vela Sicilia along with YC Monfalcone, with Max Maneschi and Orazio Fatta della Fratta on board. Not to forget the two VO65s from The Ocean Race: I Love Poland and SISI.
Five Class 40 boats will also join the competition: ACI 40, helmed by former Croatian Olympic skiing champion Ivica Kostelic; Imagin’Act Socomec, the former Influence of Andrea Fornaro, now owned by sailor Marco Guerra; Made in Midi, skippered by Frenchman Kito de Pavant, now a regular in the event; OPA, a Tyker Evolution 2 designed by Verdier, previously owned by prestigious skippers such as Yannick Bestaven and Louis Burton, now led by Malouine Marie Goulven, who is aiming for the 2024 Jacques Vabre and the 2026 Route du Rhum; and finally, Vaquita, a 2007 Lombard project featuring Alessio Bernabò and Andrea Pendibene, one of the few Italians who participated in select legs of the last edition of The Ocean Race.
Many offshore racing boats will also gather in the Gulf of Mondello for the start, including ICE Yachts 52RS, skippered by Maltese sailor Aaron Gatt Floridia; the HH42 Artie Jeep, Judel Vrolijk, led by Maltese sailor Lee Satariano; and the J121 Spitfire, skippered by Frederic de Visser. The Elo II prototype from the Yacht Club Italiano, with Mauro Pelaschier, returns for this edition with a young crew. Also present are two Neo Yachts: Alemaro, owned by Roman Puchtev, and Afazik Impulse (formerly Neojovaro), helmed by Frenchman Yves Grosjean.
The Ker 46 Tonnerre de Glen, led by French skipper Dominique Tian and the IRC winner of the 2022 edition, will once again defend its title. It will be followed by its smaller counterpart, the Ker 40 Chenapan 4, owned by Gilles Caminade. Also competing are the Farr 40 Comanche Sagola, owned by Battistoni, Sorrentino, and Fornich, racing under the colors of the Circolo Canottieri Roggero di Lauria; Jacanda 3, owned by Marc Rouanne; Kuka 3, a Cookson 50 helmed by Franco Niggeler; the Figaro 3 of Luca Bettiati; the Azuree 33 Nuestro, skippered by Giulia Farnetani; and the legendary Pistrice, a 1992 Vismara 40 belonging to Carlo Levantino.
The Palermo section of the Italian Naval League, participating for the 14th time, will once again try its luck this year with Starfly, the Rimar 44.3 skippered by Andrea Alaimo, whose crew is entirely composed of non-professional members of the LNI.
The Palermo-Montecarlo is part of the Italian Offshore Championship, organized by the Italian Sailing Federation and the IMA (Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge), as well as the Class40 Mediterranean Trophy. It is also included in the 2023 Mediterranean IRC Inshore and Offshore Championship. The event has become a key fixture on the offshore sailing calendar. The Circolo della Vela Sicilia, the organizing club, is also involved in the 37th America’s Cup, set to take place in Barcelona in 2024, with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli.
Art takes center stage with Monegasque artist Jean Boghossian
On the occasion of the Palermo-Monte Carlo 2023, and thanks to the twinning agreements between the Circolo della Vela Sicilia and the Yacht Club de Monaco, the Sicilian club will host three artworks by Monegasque artist Jean Boghossian. Entitled “The Language of Fire / Flaming Imaginary. Shapes and Rhythms of Universal Instability,” this exhibition will take place in collaboration with the Sebastiano Tusa Foundation and the Sicilia Foundation.
Countdown begins
Just a couple of weeks left before the start of the 18th Palermo-Montecarlo. Organised by Circolo della Vela Sicilia in partnership with Yacht Club de Monaco and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, this event has become a classic on the Mediterranean circuit since its launch in 2005.
Numerous title contenders will be joining the fleet on the start in the Gulf of Mondello to tackle the 500 nautical miles that separate Sicily from the Principality of Monaco via an obligatory passage gate off Porto Cervo, Sardinia. Registrations continue to flow in, last tally being 44 boats.
A firm fixture in the international summer calendar, the Palermo-Montecarlo is a stage in the Italian Offshore Championship organised by the Italian Sailing Federation and IMA (Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge), also the Class40 Mediterranean Trophy and the 2023 Inshore and Offshore Championship and Trophies in the crewed IRC category.
Since its launch the overall level of the event continues to rise in terms of quality of participants and the international nature of the race which this year again has 12 nations represented. Among the latest to sign up is the Grand Soleil 48 Le Joy, skippered by Thierry Leret from YCM, organising partner which has never failed to participate. Also the Cookson 50 Kuka3 owned by the Italian-Swiss Franco Niggeler, skippered by a great former Olympian, the Australian Mitch Booth.
Headliners
Five Maxi yachts are in the line-up this year including YCM’s Peter Harburg’s Black Jack. Skippered by Marc Bradford, the crew on this 100-footer includes champions like New Zealand tactician Brad Butterworth, Joao Signorini and Alex Nolan. Winner of this year’s 151 Miglia Trofeo Cetilar and the Rolex Giraglia, Black Jack faces a major rival in the form of ARCA SGR, another 100-footer belonging to Furio Benussi. Other headliners are Claudio Demartis’ 90-foot Shockwave 3 Prosecco DOC flying the Circolo della Vela Sicilia flag and Yacht Club Monfalcone plus two VO65s fresh from The Ocean Race, Austrian Ocean Team and I Love Poland.
Palermo-Montecarlo for women
It is also the first time the Palermo-Montecarlo has an all-female crew on a boat Moogli, an 11m Dufour 36. For owner-helmsman Caroline Petit, member of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez for 25 years, this participation is a “dream I’ve had for ages and now we’re making it come true! Some of us took part in the Rolex Giraglia this year and I was in the double-hander Transquadra in 2022. I have full confidence in the boat, the crew and myself”. The Marseille sailor highlights the importance of having an all-female crew as “sailing is still essentially a male sport but boats can be helmed by women as well as men. Women sailors can fulfil all roles on board successfully, including those traditionally reserved for men. I am convinced of this and want to lead by example”.
The crew on Moogli comprises Emilie Bertrand, Hélène Duchassin, Camille Guebels, Sandrine Mournic and Cecilia Rastello.
What they said:
Mauro Pelaschier, an emblematic face on the Italian sailing scene returns to the Palermo-Montecarlo having competed in nearly all editions:
“I am very attached to Palermo and Mondello as that’s where I won my first Italian title in the Finn class. I remember that my opponents included Ubaldo Bruni, Checco, Ganga and Marco’s father. Agostino Randazzo himself, now President of Circolo della Vela Sicilia, was a friend as he raced 470s and we often met at regattas.
I then met his father, Angelo, who was president of the Circolo at the time. He got to know me and wanted to talk to me about the idea of this new race, asking me for ideas on how to make it appealing to sailors and owners.
I remember the first piece of advice I gave him was practical. I told him that in August boats are equipped for cruising and that to prepare to race they have to take off a lot of gear. So if you arrange lorries to collect the gear and take it to Monaco you are offering a useful service and that encourages people to participate. That’s how he organised this service that has been a resounding success and still today makes the Palermo-Montecarlo unique of its kind.
Another suggestion concerned the route which should have included a passage via Strait of Bonifacio as leaving Corsica to the west often means finding yourself downwind of the island without air. For the first edition, we were on the glorious Steinlager II. Agostino was also on board. The boat had fairly old sails and finding a strong wind in the Strait we decided to skirt Corsica to the east. We still won in real time but lost in corrected time. I will be at the Palermo-Montecarlo this year again on the ELO with Yacht Club Italiano”.
Nigh on 40 boats already registered
With the 18th Palermo-Montecarlo, the 500 nautical mile Mediterranean crossing from Sicily to Monaco, fast approaching, expectations are growing as interesting updates keep arriving.
There are 30 days left before the start on Tuesday 22nd August from the Gulf of Mondello and nearly 40 yachts have already registered, a high-quality international fleet with many French teams signed up. Five Maxis have entered: Peter Harburg’s 100-foot Black Jack from YCM, winner this year of two prestigious line honours at the 151 Miglia Trofeo Cetilar and the Rolex Giraglia; the other 100-footer ARCA SGR, owned by Furio Benussi’s Fast and Furio Sailing Team; two VO65s returning from the Grand Finale of The Ocean Race in Genoa namely the Austrian Ocean Team (Team Genova) skippered by Gerwin Jansen, and Gregor Baranowski’s I Love Poland; and Claudio Demartis’s 90-footer Shockwave 3 Prosecco Doc representing the Palermo-Montecarlo event organisers, Circolo della Vela Sicilia.
High level and international
Two thirds of the boats registered so far have international flags, most of them French. In addition to the five Maxis, all eyes will be on the many highly competitive in corrected time offshore French race boats such as Dominique Tian’s Tonnerre del Glen, winner of the last Palermo-Montecarlo in IRC, as well as Chenapan 4, the Maltese Artie Jeep, HH42 already seen at the Rolex Middle Sea Race, Colombre of Massimo Juris (who races in the X2 category in pairs) and Marc Rouanne’s Jacanda 3. Also competing are three Class40s, led by high profile French sailor Kito de Pavant (Made in Midi), now a regular at the Palermo-Montecarlo, ACI 40 skippered by Ivica Kostelic, the Croatian former Olympic gold medalist in skiing, and French Marie Goulven’s OPA.
The 18th Palermo-Montecarlo also sees the first 100% female crewed entry on the Dufour 36 performance Moogli led by French skipper Caroline Petit.
It looks set to be a scintillating Palermo-Montecarlo 2023, speaking in many languages and above all that of sailing! In Mondello and at the Marina di Villa Igiea where the boats will be moored, they are preparing the pre-regatta programme: welcome cocktail, press conference and skippers meeting. The same is happening for the prestigious finish line of the race at Yacht Club de Monaco, and not forgetting the partnership with Yacht Club Costa Smeralda where the obligatory passage gate will be set in front of the marina.
International one design elite dominate 39th edition
39th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse – Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – Act IV | 2-5 March 2023
Sunday 3rd March 2023. The curtain fell on the 39th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse in partnership with Sebago, Monaco City Hall and clothing supplier SLAM who every year awards the top three teams with sailing gear. Twelve nations, 300-plus sailors and three classes gathered for this one design regatta that has become a classic since its launch by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco in 1985. In all 15 Smeralda 888s, a dozen Longtze Premiers and over 50 J/70s raced in this event which also doubles as the fourth and final Act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series.
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J/70: unexpected twist at the top
Idyllic conditions continued to the final day with a steady 8 knots more than enough for teams to get the maximum potential from their boats. In the J/70, YCM’s Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio’s G-Spot appeared all but unbeatable in the first four races before conceding final victory to the Italians on Alice. “The level was high, first given the presence of so many boats in the Monaco J/70 Class Association, but also top Italian and Swiss teams,” noted the G-Spot helmsman. Alessandro Molla’s Viva completed the podium. In the Corinthian (amateur) category, the Swiss on Aiola snatched top step of the podium ahead of the Brits on Brutus and the Swiss on Rhubarbe-3Nuits.com.
Idyllic conditions!
39th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse – Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – Act IV | 2-5 March 2023
Saturday 4th March 2023. Four races were completed in a lovely southwesterly breeze on the second day of the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse. Organised under the aegis of the collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach, in partnership with Sebago, Monaco City Hall and clothing supplier SLAM who rewards the top three teams with sailing gear, once again Yacht Club de Monaco pulled out all the stops for the 300 sailors competing in three classes.
Congratulations!
There are days when all conditions are met from start to finish, with a flat azure blue sea, a steady 8-10 knot southwesterly and unchanging course. In the J/70 class, competing here for the fourth and final Act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, it was impossible to ignore talents such as those on G-Spot. With an XXL career and finest track record of the event, YCM’s Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-Spot) led with a masterful hand, his crew working in perfect harmony to take the lead in the provisional ranking, a comfortable nine points ahead of two Italian teams on Alice and Viva. In the Corinthian (amateur) category the Swiss on Rhubarbe-3Nuits.com top the leaderboard ahead of the French on Sage Engineers and the Swiss on Quarter2Eleven.
A level playing field required all teams to be at the top of their game, and after a few general recalls the fleet settled down to concentrate on the race and impeccable procedures.
300+ sailors and 12 nations in competition
39th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse – Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – Act IV | 2-5 March 2023
Thursday 2nd March 2023. One of the great Mediterranean classics, since its launch in 1985 by HSH Prince Albert II, President of the Yacht Club de Monaco, in partnership with Sebago and Monaco’s City Hall, the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse has hosted the cream of one design racing. This year again over 300 sailors have chosen to kick off their season in Monaco.
With a record 15 Smeralda 888s, a dozen Longtze Premiers and nigh-on 60 J/70s competing the regatta maintains its reputation as a major event. All crew members on the winning teams receive sailing garments from technical clothing supplier SLAM at this regatta which also serves as the fourth and final Act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series.
10th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series: who will claim final victory?
With 55 teams in the J/70 class the jury is out on who will be the overall winner of this 10th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series. Currently led by YCM’s Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda), World Vice-Champion in the class (One Pro category), this series of monthly regattas from November to March gathers top international teams. He is followed in the ranking by Pierrik Devic (Leonteq), World Vice-Champion in the Open category, and Louis Samuel Poons (Charisma V) on the third step of this provisional podium. The top trio will have to keep a close eye on the talented crew on G-Sport led by Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio who won the previous two Acts.
All set for 18th edition
After an exciting edition last year, the Palermo-Montecarlo 2023 offshore race in August is all set to go with publication of the Notice of Race and arrival of the first registrations.
Organised by Circolo della Vela Sicilia, in partnership with Yacht Club de Monaco and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the race has been a must on the calendar since it launched in 2005. It quickly established itself as a major offshore classic in the Mediterranean thanks to finely tuned organisation and attendance by some of the world’s fastest and most beautiful boats.
As tradition dictates, the start is scheduled for 12 noon, Tuesday 22nd August, from the Gulf of Mondello in Sicily to the Principality of Monaco. On the programme, a circa 500 nautical mile course with a tactically crucial gate before the Strait of Bonifacio. The 18th Palermo-Montecarlo is again one of the stages in the Italian Offshore Championship organised by the Italian Sailing Federation, as well as of the International Maxi Association’s Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge and the Class40 Mediterranean Trophy.
“We can now speak of the Palermo-Montecarlo as a “classic”, as we approach the 20th anniversary and given the ever higher standard of boats and crews who participate each year. For this edition, we hope to see lots of owners taking part and anyone who loves sailing,” says Agostino Randazzo, President of Circolo della Vela Sicilia, the club supporting Team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli in the 37th America’s Cup.
Last year’s Palermo-Montecarlo proved triumphant for French sailing, with two boats from the Société Nautique de Marseille winning both major trophies: Jean-Pierre Dreau’s Mylius 60 Lady First III which won the Giuseppe Tasca d’Almerita Trophy, while Dominique Tian’s Ker 46 Tonnerre de Glen clinched the Angelo Randazzo Perpetual Challenge Trophy.
G-Spot unbeatable
Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – Act III | 02-05 février 2023
Saturday 4th February 2023. The nigh on 40 international boats competing in Act 3 of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series enjoyed another beautiful day on this second day of racing. It goes without saying that these monthly regattas organised by Yacht Club de Monaco are enjoying superb weather conditions. With a 10-knot southwesterly, sun shining and another two races under the belts it confirms Monaco’s reputation as a must-do destination for one designs.
Serena di Lapigio in his element
Raw talent comes to the fore again on this highly technical and demanding race area. No question of turning backs on the slightest wind shift on this course, total concentration is key. The second day again called on all the skills and consistency of sailors, a game mastered by YCM’s Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G–Spot) as evidenced by his 2nd and 3rd places.
Heir to a great talent
Only one change of tempo noted in the rankings after a sensational performance by the crew on Charisma led by Louis Samuel Poons, son of YCM’s brilliant helmsman, Nico Poons. Clearly, that master touch on the helm has been handed down from father to son.
With a name like Louis Samuel Poons he carries high hopes for the future and his entry into the J/70 class confirms it. This evening, he’s in 2nd place in the provisional overall ranking.