Monaco Optimist Team Race 

Event gets underway 

10-14 January 2024 

Wednesday 10th January 2024 – The opening ceremony of the 14th Monaco Optimist Team Race (https://yacht-club-monaco.mc/evenements/monaco-optimist-team-race/) marked the start of this event with a record 72 under-14 sailors divided into 18 teams of four. Organised by Yacht Club de Monaco with support from Monaco Marine, FxPro, sailing gear supplier SLAM, the Erplast boatyard and Peace and Sport, this international meeting tests these young people’s mastery of the team race format. “This event is a wonderful opportunity to highlight excellence, share knowledge and promote sailing to young generations, all Yacht Club de Monaco values which are part of our collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach,” explains YCM General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri.  

Fine-tuned like sheet music  

The Monaco Optimist Team Race requires total concentration, precision, seamless communication and mastery of team match racing rules. Organised in duels between two teams, it is like a ballet on water with well over 150 of these match race duels scheduled over the four days, giving all teams a chance to compete against each other. The programme comprises a round-robin, quarter-finals, semi-finals and then the finals. USA, Sweden, Uruguay, Ireland, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, France, UK and Monaco are all represented. As it does every year, the regatta attracts the best young sailors in the world ensuring a lively, highly competitive environment with all teams keen to showcase their skills, strategy and team spirit. 

Trial run  

To get everyone into the match race rhythm, many are participating in an International Clinic (9-11 January) to help refine skills and get hands-on advice from experts supervised by international referee, Chris Atkins. With 45 years of team racing experience under his belt, this three-time British National Team Race Championship winner also coached Team Great Britain team to a gold medal at the first ISAF Team Race World Championship. President of the selectors for the British Olympic sailing team for Beijing and London, Chris Atkins is also a World Sailing umpire and judge. 

It all kicks off tomorrow Thursday 11th January at 11.00am with the first match races.  

Press contacts – Tel: +377 93 10 64 09 – Email: presse@ycm.org 

Press accreditation: on website  

Copyright-free photos and video footage available on request.