Finale Smeralda 888 International Championship

 The 2024 Smeralda 888 International Championship season reached its peak this weekend in Monaco with the grand finale, an event that is always eagerly awaited by those competing on the circuit. Renowned for being an intense circuit that often goes to the wire, this edition finally delivered its verdict after several stages contested at the Mediterranean’s most prestigious sailing destinations. Charles de Bourbon des Deux Siciles (Vamos mi Amor) won the Championship for the ninth time in his racing career. Bernard d’Alessandri, Yacht Club de Monaco General Secretary, said: “This is a fantastic championship as it brings young and old together to race and every edition is a new championship that is as much about passion, sportsmanship and friendship as it is about results”.

 

 

A thrilling season and nailbiter to the end

All year, the fleet is to be found at a string of regattas. The teams in the Smeralda 888 class, designed by naval architect German Frers, religiously turn out for as many as they can to have a chance for a podium finish at this final meeting at the foot of the Rocher. Since the nineties, the class has become a favourite in one design racing thanks to the inspired leadership of Adalberto Miani and Class President Charles de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles. The 2024 season kicked off in February in Monaco with the 40th Primo Cup-Trophée UBS. The year continued at legendary venues including Alassio, Saint-Tropez, Porto Cervo and Barcelona, each regatta ramping up the suspense.

 

 

Monaco a stage for the grand finale

The biggest names in the class were there for the finale held 11-13 October in Monaco. With six races completed in relatively calm conditions, ranging from 5 to 10 knots, it put teams’ strategies and endurance to the test. Vamos mi Amor, helmed by Charles de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles, arrived in Monaco as favourite after a resounding victory at the Barcelona Cup in September. Yet other competitors, notably Timofey Sukhotin with Beda did not make life easy.

 

Total control

With 14 points on the clock, Vamos mi Amor emerged the winner after three days of racing having demonstrated an undisputed mastery of his boat over the competition. Django (15 points) and Capocaccia (19 points) both proved redoubtable adversaries and completed the podium. Charles de Bourbon des Deux Siciles managed to widen the gap with every race to clinch the 2024 title, his ninth Smeralda 888 International Championship win.

 

This year the Smeralda 888 class reached a whole new level with a more competitive, closely matched contest than previous seasons. It was extremely tight to the end, with a different winner for each of five of the six races in the finale. Speaking afterwards, Charles de Bourbon des Deux Siciles said: “This was a wonderful championship but incredibly intense, it has been the most difficult one to win”. Now at full strength, class motivation is unwavering for next season which looks set to be even more interesting with another stage added to the calendar at Bonifacio, Corsica. With its capricious winds and spectacular setting, Bonifacio promises a great spectacle for those watching and a challenge for those taking part.

 

YCM a nerve centre of international regattas

This nail-biting finale concludes an outstanding season, establishing the Smeralda 888 class as one of the most prestigious on the Mediterranean circuit. There’s no let up for Yacht Club de Monaco as it prepares for the next big one design meeting, the Optimist Team Racing European Championship (October 15-19), followed by Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series with Act 1 set for 7-10 November 2024.