Trophee Virginie Heriot

 

The stage is set at Yacht Club de Monaco ready to host nine nations taking part in the Virginie Hériot Trophy, an all-female J/70 regatta with 20+ teams registered. Held under the aegis of the French and Monegasque Sailing Federations, with the invaluable support of FxPro, it is part of the collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach, symbolising yachting excellence in Monaco and inclusion. A driving force behind this event is Pink Wave, a group of 55 ladies from the YCM who are passionate about sailing and regularly compete in international regattas.

Another tribute to Virginie Hériot

After two years under the name Women Leading & Sailing, the event has evolved to become the Virginie Hériot Trophy, a tribute to that legendary French sailor, the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal, in Amsterdam in 1928, and fondly referred to as ‘Madame de la Mer’. The name change is in keeping with the regatta’s ambitions to celebrate women’s sailing.

High level international competition

This year teams from all over the world are descending on Monaco for the Virginie Hériot Trophy including three American teams from the Manhattan Yacht Club and Indian Harbor Yacht Club, and representatives from the Royal Thames Yacht Club and Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez.

The programme kicks off with a qualifier stage with the fleet divided into two groups. The best teams go on to compete in the Gold fleet and the others in the Silver. Every morning lots will be drawn to determine how the boats are allocated to ensure a fair contest.

The quays are already busy with preparations as contestants prepare for an intense weekend of racing starting Friday 14 March at 12 noon with the first warning signal.

Provisional programme (subject to weather conditions)

Friday 14 March:

12:00: 1st warning signal

Saturday 15 March:

11:00: 1st warning signal

Sunday 16 March:

11:00: 1st warning signal

15:30: Last warning signal possible – After the races: prize-giving