Seven races, a 22-strong fleet of J/70s and a win decided on a tie-break. Act I of the 2026–2027 Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series concluded on Sunday in Monaco’s bay after three days of racing that attracted contestants from six nations. In the mainly light wind conditions, patience and precision were the order of the day in a battle for victory that went down to the wire.
After winning two races and finishing in the top four for the rest, Moonlight II representing Yacht Club de Monaco, helmed by 2016 Olympic 470 champion Saskia Clark, proved that consistency pays off. Alongside the British sailor, Adrien De Belloy, Mario Trindade and Mattis Naud secured the win in this opening Act on a net total of 16 points. They were tied on points with the French team Euro Voiles, led by Denis Infante, whose impressive performance included winning the first race.
In 3rd place, G-Spot skippered by Matteo Marenghi-Vaselli from YCM completed the podium with 20 points. The Monegasque crew won the fifth and sixth races, but it was not enough to close the gap on the leaders. In the end, just four points separated the top three boats.
In the Corinthian division, Euro Voiles capped off an excellent regatta by coming first in this category in addition to their 2nd place overall. The Swiss teams, Jerry led by Thomas Studer and Max Haenssler’s Rhubarbe-3Nuits.com, completed the amateur podium.
Since 2013, the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series have allowed J/70 teams to continue competing throughout the winter. Organised by Yacht Club de Monaco in partnership with North Sails, this championship brings together crews from Monaco and abroad for a series of short-course racing regattas.
Act I has set the tone, but the season is far from over. There are still three more events, starting with Act II (10-13 December) and Act III (11-14 February 2027), before the championship concludes at the 43rd Primo Cup-UBS Trophy (10-14 March 2027), an event established in 1985 on the initiative of YCM President, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Before all those regattas, Yacht Club de Monaco puts the spotlight on inclusive sailing with the 4th Navicap Challenge-Elena Sivoldaeva Trophy (4-6 December 2026) that enables experienced racers, amateur enthusiasts, and sailors, with or without a disability, to compete on equal terms on the same courses on Hansa 303s.
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