Italians from Yacht Club Italiano triumph by a whisker

It could not have been closer. The Monaco Optimist Team Race ended Sunday at the end of an intense week on a challenging Monaco race area for the 15 teams from 12 nations competing. Organised by Yacht Club de Monaco, supported by Monaco Marine, FxPro, North Sails, Erplast and Peace and Sport, the 14th edition confirmed this event’s unique role in the development of young international sailors, who were honoured by a visit from the Monegasque Formula 1 driver, Charles Leclerc. The Italians from Yacht Club Italiano emerged the winners after a hard-fought high-level duel with the Danes from Danish Dynamite, who had held on to their lead up to that point. Four boats against four, short races and having to keep a constant eye on the competition, the team race format once again lived up to expectations. For Bernard d’Alessandri, YCM Director and General Secretary, the event goes beyond the rankings: “Young people learn that they must look beyond individual results to get results for the team. They learn to coordinate and interact with young people of their own age. It’s a wonderful training ground for life”.

Italy–Denmark duel at the top

The Danes very quickly made their mark on this edition, occupying top spot in the provisional rankings to the bitter end, thanks to their superior understanding of the game, where the individual takes a back seat to the benefit of the group. But as the Round Robin qualifier days went by, the Italians from Yacht Club Italiano, sailing together for the first time, remained firmly in contention without ever letting up the pressure. Being more incisive and consistent at key moments made the difference in the final races to edge out their Danish rivals at the last minute and claim victory. “We really wanted to win and fought to the end to achieve this victory,” said Gabriele Burlando. “The competition was tough but we did our best to prevail. I must say it was a fantastic regatta,” added Vittorio. Indeed, both teams had a remarkable run, winning all their match races, a demonstration of what team racing is all about at this high level: collective mastery, tactical intelligence and total commitment and focus. The Swiss from the Gstaad Yacht Club never managed to break up the duo but did secure a hard-fought podium finish in 3rd. In their wake, the Yacht Club de Monaco team, comprising Océane Schroeder, Joséphine Dobbelaere, Pietro Carlevaris and Louis Faivre, came 8th having gained invaluable experience against top level international competition.

International Clinic focused on learning before winning

The regatta started with a structured three-day International Clinic that went way beyond a training session. In charge of these preparations, British global team racing expert Chris Atkins, with over 45 years’ experience under his belt, reflects on the purpose: “The goal is for them to try things, make mistakes and learn from them, so they don’t repeat them during the competition”. For the team race format is unique in that, under the watchful eyes of international umpires, it is the sailors who make the decisions. At this age that is significant. “The sailors must apply the rules themselves, which requires honesty and true sportsmanship,” he says. On the pontoons they speak different languages, but on the water they’re all playing the same game. For Lilia from Corsica the experience has been transformative: “Sailing is a way to understand the sea, the wind and the environment. It’s not just about being on a boat,” and the format has required her to make an extra effort: “The hardest part is listening to each other and managing situations together. But it creates bonds”. For in just a few races a team can work well together, sometimes it goes pear-shaped, but then they always get back on track.

Training for life

Since 2010, the Monaco Optimist Team Race has supported generations of young sailors, an adventure that continues next year with the 15th edition scheduled for 13-17 January 2027. Some go on to compete at the highest level, while others treasure the experience as an important milestone. However all will leave with added-value life skills: a strong sense of teamwork, respect for the game, and the ability to make quick decisions as a group. These values are dear to the YCM which continues its events programme with the same intensity as it prepares for the 18th Business Symposium – La Belle Classe Superyachts on 5 February 2026 which brings together international yachting stakeholders.

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