Coupe Internationale d’Eté – Perros Guirec

Friday 21^st July 2023. The biggest Optimist celebration in France, the ‘International Summer Cup’ is not only a qualifier for the World Championship but also one of the biggest meetings in Europe with contestants coming from all over the world. More than 400 young competitors made the trip including 12 from Yacht Club de Monaco. Between 10 and 13 races according to category were completed in variable 4 to 12 knot conditions with a noticeable current.

Once again, the Principality’s sailors put on a great show, particularly in the Minime (13-15yrs) with an excellent 10^th place for Riccardo Hai Gessa out of 250. He even won against those born in 2011. Still in the Minime category, Alexandra Santelli finished 77^th in the gold group while Ludovica Bonelli, Océane Schroeder and Frederik Holst ranked 109^th, 119^th  and 159^th respectively. In the younger Benjamin group, Joséphine Dobbelaere was 29^th with an 8^th place in one race and 5^th in another.

In the youngest category (Poussin), Pietro Carlevaris defended his achievements tooth and nail to come 4^th overall and 3^rd boy after 13 races, including four wins, and came 3^rd in the Raid Côtier coastal race. As for Louis Pompée he came 9^th out of 110, winning one race to boot. Jules Huon, Louis Faivre, Victor Holst and Sacha Mousny came 28^th, 33^rd, 39^th and 84^th respectively.

As well as shining individually, Monaco also won as a team, coming a superb 3^rd in the Team Race. These budding young racers from the Sports Section have a few days off before heading to Italy on 2^nd August for the Ora Cup in Arco then the Trofeo Lombardie in Malcesine.