12th Monaco Optimist Team Race – 13-16 January 2022

Saturday 15th January 2022. For the 60 young sailors in competition these two days of the 12th Monaco Optimist Team Race have followed a similar pattern, with 19 match races held today in a light easterly under sunny skies, conditions conducive to a range of strategies.

Top trio is not an illusion

Is it possible to cut the Americans invincibility down to size a little? Hard to believe the results table at the end of the round robin phase’s second day. The provisional leaders are looking unassailable and with zero defeats they are clearly sailing a notch above the others. “They are really strong and sailing faster than everyone else,” concedes Matteo Asscher from the Yacht Club de Monaco team which is lying 8th this evening.

 

 

 

There’s no question of taking their eyes off the competition for a second, match racing being a format that requires constant observation of and reaction to one’s opponents. Proving strong when it comes to marking and positioning, the Croatians are also looking good and continue to widen the gap with the rest of the fleet to hang on to 2nd place in the provisional ranking, with the Germans in 3rd.

An intimate show

As the sun set after racing had finished, the organisers set up an exhibition fleet race in the YCM Marina. On a windward-leeward course between yachts, contestants enjoyed stringing together tacks at night lit up by the Club’s floodlights.

 

 

 

Each boat sported a luminous baton on its sprit to add to the battle of tacks spectacle that attracted the attention of all those walking along the quays. It was a great opportunity for participants to relax after the intense pressure of match racing competition before the final encounters tomorrow.

 

Programme (subject to change):

Sunday 16th January 2022

10.00am: First race – warning signal

4.00pm: Prize-giving