Junda takes control
Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – Act I 3-6 November 2022
Saturday 5th November 2022. Same race area but different conditions for the second day of this first act of the 10th Monaco Sportsboat Series, with the same south-westerly but more moderate. A great opportunity for the 28 teams to make a mark with four back to back races completed.
Excellence all round
It was a picture postcard day in the Mediterranean with intense blue skies, no troublesome chop and a nice 8-10 knot breeze. Ideal conditions to fine tune clean controlled starts, mark roundings and tacks with everyone relishing a great day of racing.
Monegasque domination
Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – Act I | 3-6 November 2022
Friday 4th November 2022. Just a couple of weeks after the J/70 World Championship, organised for the first time by Yacht Club de Monaco in October, the show continues in Monaco’s bay. The class was back out racing today for Act 1 of the 10th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series which has gathered around 30 teams from six nations. This series of monthly regattas from November to March has become a tradition for many international teams as they prepare for the next season.
Swiss on top of the Worlds
J/70 World Championship | 14-22 October 2022
Saturday 22nd October 2022. Twenty-three nations, 90 boats, 400 sailors and a field worthy of the wildest dreams heralded the J/70 World Championship, organised for the first time by Yacht Club de Monaco in collaboration with the J/70 International Class.
“It was exceptional and an honour to welcome all these champions. All the eyes of the sailing world were riveted on our Principality,” said Yacht Club de Monaco General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri.
As part of the collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, YCM President, came on Friday to greet everyone involved in the organisation including some 50 volunteers who comprise the Flotte des Commissaires, the international Race Committee, the Jury members and all the contestants.
The Championship also benefited from the support of the Monegasque Sailing Federation, FxPro, Xerjoff, Sebago and technical sports clothing brand Slam which supplied garments for all crew on the podium. Tommaso Chieffi, ambassador for the Italian brand, came to watch the events: “We often take the America’s Cup regattas as an example, but today I have witnessed exchanges of such quality both on the water and ashore, such a spirit of sportsmanship. Real class!”.
Unusual exchanges
J/70 World Championship | 14-22 October 2022
Friday 21st October 2022. Shortly after the skippers briefing, excitement mounted on Quai Louis II in front of the Yacht Club de Monaco’s building. For while sailors were going about their business, a special guest arrived to greet competitors of the J/70 World Championship, the first organised by Yacht Club de Monaco. YCM President HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco was very keen to come and greet all those involved.
Celebrating commitment
Wearing the Worlds colours, the Sovereign started his visit by greeting members of the jury and the many volunteers who ensure the level of excellence at the event. There were photos and handshakes all round with a special greeting for Jean Lorenzi, oldest member in the Club’s Flotte des Commissaires.
Men and ambitions
J/70 World Championship | 14-22 October 2022
Thursday 20th October 2022. The date is historic for Yacht Club de Monaco which is organising the J/70 World Championship for the first time. Built in 2012, this Alan Johnstone designed class has shot up the popularity polls of one designs appealing to the biggest names in sailing. Proof if it were needed is in the presence of 90 teams with at least 60 big names among them. The event is also an opportunity to shine the spotlight on the commitment of all those who make it possible to organise such a big regatta.
Behind the scenes
There are nearly a hundred of them, members of YCM staff, the jury and safety, and the Flotte des Commissaires (stewards et al), many of them YCM volunteers, lifeblood of the Club. All highly professional, they make a massive contribution to the organisation, ensuring a quality reception and excellence at the Club’s many regattas, positioning it as a reference in sports events.
Sporting and Environmental Commitment
J/70 World Championship
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Accustomed to hosting the world’s most prestigious one-design sailing events, the Yacht Club de Monaco once again takes the helm of one of the most highly anticipated regattas in the sailing world. By organizing the J/70 World Championship for the first time, the Y.C.M. has drawn a stellar lineup of competitors, all familiar with the podium. The fleet is composed of top-tier helmsmen, tacticians, and sailors from a wide range of renowned backgrounds.
This event stands out not only for attracting the best sailors in the sport but also for its commitment to marine conservation initiatives. Here, excellence is both sporting and environmental.
Elite Competition: The Hallmark of the Monaco Edition
Among the big names competing in the Principality is Chris Larson (Smokeshow), a sailor with an impressive résumé, including ten world championship titles (Farr 40, Melges 24, Melges 32, Swan 45, Mumm 30, J/24, J/22) and multiple campaigns in the America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race.
“Our goal is to perform at sea, to stay consistent and focused. We are all here to deliver our best,” admits Larson, one of the many top American sailors present. “We’ve been preparing for this event for eight months with our crew. We have the right training, the right sailors, and the right boat… We’re here for one thing only,” he concludes, rediscovering Monaco’s waters after competing there years ago in the J/24 class.
The atmosphere on the docks reflects a spirit of sportsmanship and mutual respect. For Pietro Sibello (Notaro), a 49er class veteran and mainsail trimmer for Luna Rossa, now a coach and consultant for Alinghi, this world championship promises to be intense:
“This event will be challenging, given the level of competition. We will need patience. The objective remains the same every time we race: to win. We know it won’t be easy, but we’ll give everything we’ve got.”
Sailing world’s eyes riveted on Monaco
J/70 World Championship | 14-22 October 2022
Tuesday 11th October 2022. Official start today of the first J/70 World Championship to be organised by Yacht Club de Monaco, in partnership with the Monegasque Sailing Federation, FxPro, Xerjoff, Sebago and technical sports clothing brand Slam which is supplying garments for all crew members on the podium.
For the 2022 edition, more than 400 sailors from 23 nations and 90 boats will be on the race area. “All eyes are riveted on Monaco. I don’t think you can bring so many talented sailors together in the same place and at the same time. We are very proud to organise this meeting,” said YCM General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri. It’s been 46 years since the last Worlds in Monaco, that being in 1976 with the Vaurien class.
Cream of the crop
Sailors who have descended on the Principality have a track record as thick and solid as Monaco’s Rocher. Nearly half the competitors have already seen their names on trophies be it at the Olympics, America’s Cup or other one design circuits. Luis Bugallo, Marshall King, Ian Wilson, Peter Duncan, Jud Smith and Paul Ward, who’ve been crowned J/70 World Champions in recent years roam the quays. Luca Domenici, José María Torcida Seghers and Jonathan Calascione complete the class line-up with their European results.
Olympic stars are shining like Will Ryan, silver in Rio and gold in Tokyo in the 470, Saskia Clark, Olympic 470 Vice-Champion in London and gold in Rio, and Brazilian legend Torben Grael who has five Olympic medals to his name. There are around 20 sailors here who’ve had the honour of representing their country at the Olympics, testifying to the level of the event.
First toe in the water for 90 teams
J/70 World Championship
14-22 October 2022
Some 400 sailors, 90 teams, 23 nations and as many promises of results are on the menu for the J/70 World Championship organised by Yacht Club de Monaco in partnership with the Monegasque Sailing Federation, FxPro, Sebago and technical sports clothing brand Slam which is supplying garments for all crew members on the podium. After what was a first glimpse of the race area for some during a warm-up race this afternoon, sailors opened the World Championship in style at the Opening Ceremony.
90 teams and 23 nations set for the meeting
J/70 World Championship | 14-22 October 2022
Monday 10th October 2022.In a few days, 90 international teams from 23 nations will be descending on the Principality for the J/70 World Championship being organised for the first time by Yacht Club de Monaco. Designed by Alan Johnstone and built in 2012, the J/70 is one of the most popular one design classes among sailors.
The event is being held in partnership with the Monegasque Sailing Federation, FxPro, Xerjoff and technical sports clothing brand Slam which is supplying garments for all crew members on the podium, as it has been doing for the Primo Cup for over 30 years.
Dress rehearsal before the Worlds
J/70 – European Championship – Hyères – 10-17 September 2022
Saturday 17th September 2022. With less than a month to go before the J/70 World Championship, being held in Monaco for the first time (14-22 October 2022), Monaco J/70 teams were to be found in Hyères for a full-scale dress rehearsal at the European Championship. A total of 88 teams from 19 nationalities took the start at this venue in the Var which lived up to its reputation, forcing crews to adapt quickly between the brisk breezes and light airs that were on the programme.
Like at home
Convincing and formidable in Monaco, Junda led by Ludovico Fassitelli claimed a bronze medal in the Corinthian (amateur) category. A result that bodes well for the rest of the season and the Worlds in October. In the same category, Ferdinando Matteo Scandolera (Irruenza) finished 22nd. In the overall ranking, Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda) was the first Monaco crew, ranked 17th ahead of Nico Poons (Charisma V) 31st, Loïc Pompée (Sailing Racing Team) 32nd, Pierrik Devic (Leonteq) 39th, Ferdinando Matteo Scandolera (Irruenza) 58th and Stefano Roberti (Piccinina) 79th.