Victory for Botta Dritta
Smeralda 888 – Coppa Europa – Porto Cervo 23-25 July 2021
Sunday 25th July 2021. Francesco Vauban Miani (Botta Dritta) was on the top step of the podium at the end of the 18th Coppa Europa Smeralda 888. Six races were completed at an event that ended with brisk 25-knot winds at Porto Cervo. In 2nd place was Timofey Sukhotin (Beda), followed by Paolo Rotelli and Max Stimamiglio on Black Star.
A month and a bit till start gun fires for 16th edition
Palermo-Montecarlo – 21-26 August 2021
Wednesday 21st July 2021. Just over a month to go before the Palermo-Montecarlo. Organised by Circolo della Vela Sicilia, in partnership with Yacht Club de Monaco and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, this has become one of the major classic offshore events on the Mediterranean circuit since it launched in 2005.
Many contenders for the title will be making their way for the start in the Gulf of Mondello to race across the 500 nautical miles that separate it from the Principality of Monaco. Among the favourites is Guido Miani from the Yacht Club de Monaco who alongside his son will be on the 100-ft (30m) Arca SGR, attempting to clinch a fourth title.
An intergenerational passion
For him, the Palermo-Montecarlo is a family affair, as his father Adalberto Miani, long-time head of the Sailing Commission at YCM, supported this event from the start alongside Angelo Randazzo, who initiated the project, working hard to help make it into the popular race it is today. As if passing on the baton, the meeting is now a must-do for his son Guido who has won it three times. In 2007, it was a victory in corrected time, a performance he repeated the following year propelling him into the title role of a race he was beginning to master. In 2013, he took line honours in crossing the finish first in Monaco to add another win to his record.
This year Guido Miani will be with his son as they leave the two cliffs that overlook the Gulf of Mondello behind them. It follows his superb line honours victory in the recent 68th Rolex Giraglia. No need to say more, Guido Miani aboard Arca SGR, a 30m racing machine, has all the cards in hand to make his summer a success.
Monaco celebrates the sea
Fête de la Mer – Saturday 26th June 2021
Saturday 26th June 2021. Fête de la Mer was celebrated again this year with a grand parade in Monaco’s bay. It was organised by Yacht Club de Monaco in collaboration with Monegasque institutions namely: the Pontons de Monaco association, Société Nautique de Monaco (rowing club), City Hall, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Government, SEPM, Oceanographic Institute, the Roca Jet Club of Monaco, sports fishing federation (Fédération Monégasque de Pêches Sportives), CSAM (Centre de Sauvetage Aquatique et de Plongée de Monaco – scuba diving for children) and local scuba diving club, Club d’Exploration Sous-Marine de Monaco.
The 60-strong fleet of participants gathered around the new police launch, the Princesse Gabriella launched last December, for the parade which began with the traditional blessing by Archbishop Dominique-Marie David in homage to all those lost at sea. It was a solemn moment during which a heart-warming tribute was paid to Jean-Marc Giraldi, President of the rowing club (Société Nautique de Monaco) and Vice-President of Union Internationale Motonautique. A colourful and central figure in the Principality, Mr Giraldi dedicated his energy and passion to the sea.
Sailing boats, rowing boats and motorboats were among the many who responded to the invitation, including Tuiga, the 1909 gaff cutter and Yacht Club de Monaco flagship. After setting off from in front of the Oceanographic Museum, the fleet headed towards Larvotto before turning into Port Hercule to be greeted by a cacophony of sound as all the yachts in the harbour blew their horns.
Mega win in third stage
Monaco Cup Smeralda 888 – Monaco
Sunday 6th June 2021. There was no time to breath for the eight teams competing in the third stage of the Smeralda 888 championship held in Monaco bay, which participants know well. Having won four of the seven races, Class President and owner of Vamos mi Amor, Charles de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles, dominated the competition to take 1st place, six points ahead of Botta Dritta helmed by Francesco Vauban. In 3rd was Loïc Pompée on Kazimo d’Eau, a regular in the J/70 class making a seamless transfer of skills. As it stands, six teams are now in the running to take the 2021 title and will be in Porto Cervo 23-25 July for the fourth stage.
Convincing win for G-Spot
37th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse
Sunday 7th March 2021. Competitors enjoyed six races for the 37th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse. Only members present in the Principality could take part due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the latest government guidelines. As every year, thanks to the loyal support of long-time partner SLAM, the first three teams in each class won garments from the technical clothing range of this Italian supplier. Varying conditions spiced up the contests with a 6-7 knot easterly on the Friday blowing up to 25 knots on the Saturday before fading away on Sunday.
Tough battles at the top
37th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse (5-7 March 2021)
Saturday 6th March 2021. A fantastic day for competitors this Saturday with a 15 knot easterly gusting 25 knots on a slight chop, optimal conditions for completing three races back to back.
Tough battles at the top
Leading the fleet, Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio and his men on G-Spot kept up the pace and this evening top the ranking two points ahead of Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda-Sumus Capital). Loïc Pompée (Sailing Racing Team) remains in a provisional 3rd place. In the Corinthian category, Cesare Gabasio (Tinnj70) tops the table ahead of Stefano Roberti (Piccinina).
In the Smeralda 888, Class President Charles de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles (Vamos mi Amor) snatched the lead from Timofey Sukhotin (Beda) and Francesco Vauban (Botta Dritta), with one day to go.
G-Spot takes lead in the J/70s
G-Spot takes lead in the J/70s
Due to the covid-19 pandemic and to comply with the government’s latest guidelines, the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse is going ahead in a format not seen since its launch in 1985. The 37th edition is open only for members of the organisers, Yacht Club de Monaco, and sailors resident in the Principality, as the Club is keen to give local sailors an opportunity to race in Monaco while fully respecting the health measures in force.
Beautiful conditions for first day
A 6-7 knot easterly blew for the two classes in competition who completed three races in ideal conditions. In the Smeralda 888, Francesco Vauban on Botta Dritta leads the fleet at the end of day one, just two points ahead of Timofey Sukhotin (Beda). Niccolo Stimamiglio (Black Star) completes this provisional podium.
A 2021 edition reserved for member sailors in the Principality
37th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse (4-7 March 2021)
Friday 26th February 2021. Due to the covid-19 pandemic and to comply with the government’s latest guidelines, the 37th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco from 4-7 March 2021 is now only open to member sailors in the Principality and will be contested exclusively in Monegasque territorial waters.
The YCM decided to adapt by maintaining this regatta, which has been held every year since 1985 and kick-starts the one design season in the Mediterranean, with a reduced format which allows local crews to sail in compliance with current health measures. Only two classes, both of which are very active in the Principality, will be competing from Friday 5th March with the first warning signal at 12 noon for the J/70s, united in the Monaco J/70 Class Association, and the Smeralda 888s. As every year, thanks to the support of long-time partner SLAM, the first three boats in each class of the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse will receive garments from the Italian supplier’s technical range.
In the interests of fair-play for the many international teams who usually descend on Monaco for the winter season, the results of the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse, which would normally also be the last act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, will not count towards the final ranking for 2021. Only results from Act 1 in January (14-17) and Act 2 in February (4-7) will count. Prize-giving for the 2019-2020 Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series will take place remotely on Saturday 6th March at 7.00pm.
Three classes set to close winter one design season
37th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse (J/70, Smeralda 888 and Dragon)
Monaco, 19th February 2021 – Around 60 teams in three classes (J/70, Smeralda 888 and Dragon) are set to compete in Monaco for the traditional Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse from 4-7 March 2021. Launched in 1985 at the instigation of YCM President, HSH Prince Albert II, the regatta which awards garments from Slam Advanced Technology Sportswear is the largest European winter race meeting in the Mediterranean.
A passion for racing
Be they keen amateur or seasoned sailors or professionals, all enjoy getting out on the water for this international regatta at the start of the season which for the J/70s counts as the final stage (Act 3) of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series. This is a very active class in the Principality which is hosting the World Championship in 2022.
Many highly experienced crews like the Italians on Petite Terrible-Adria Ferries, current J/70 European Champions, have their sights set on mastering the Monaco race area. They face tough competition from local sailors such as YCM’s Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-spot) and Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda-Banca del Sempione). As always with YCM regattas, young sailors from the Club’s Sports Section who normally compete in Nacra 14, Optimist and Laser also have an opportunity to pit their wits against the best on J/70s.
Victory for Beda!
Smeralda 888 – Match Racing – Monaco
Sunday 21st February 2021. The meeting had the air of a scaled-up warm-up in the run up to the 37th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse for the Smeralda 888 teams who kept up the pace this weekend at their Match Racing event. It has been ten years since the fleet competed in this format, similar to that of the America’s Cup. In a game of one-on-one duels, Timofey Sukhotin (Beda), current champion of this class, lifted the cup. Francesco Vauban and his crew on Botta Dritta clinched 2nd, followed by Andréa Startari (Gorilla Gang). A great warm-up before the Primo Cup on 5-7 March.