Sailors from Yacht Club de Monaco’s Sports Section were competing yet again this time in a series of Optimist Team Race events. Before the elite match racing teams meet in Monaco for the Optimist European Team Racing Championship, YCM sailors demonstrated again their mastery of team race rules and a tremendous team spirit.

Ludovica Bonelli, Océane Schroeder, Pietro Carlevaris and Facundo Rubinelli grabbed the chance to further bone-up their skills at the Geneva event that attracted eight teams representing six nations. Organised by Société Nautique de Genève, twinned club with YCM, the contest demanded endurance and concentration from this upcoming generation.

In 8-12 knots of wind seven match races were run on the first day after which teams had to manage “La Bise” (north wind) that swept across Lake Geneva. They had to sit it out ashore on Saturday hence everyone was giving it their all on the final day, Sunday. The Monegasques won four match races which took them into 6th place in the overall ranking.

Yacht Club de Monaco’s Optimist team continues their training programme as they prepare to head to Barcelona this weekend for the second and last Team Race before the European Championship kicks off in Monaco 15 October 2024.