For the last 11 years, the team racing elite have descended on the Principality for the Monaco Optimist Team Race. All aged under-14, 18 teams of four compete on a level playing field. The round robin phase when all teams meet each other is followed by the quarter- then semi- then finals which are the highlight of the event. For all contestants the over-riding goal is to help their team win as many matches as possible to stay at the top of the leader board. Organised by Yacht Club de Monaco, the Monaco Optimist Team Race has become the benchmark for young teams from all over the world.

Inspired by the America’s Cup, match racing is a sport in its own right and it is this format that the Monaco Optimist Team Race has embraced. Teams of four from each nation go head to head with all the other teams in the round robin heats, at the end of which the best go through to the quarters and then semi-finals, before the grand finale on Sunday.