#Monaco Sportboat Winter Series

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High winds during first regattas of 2017

The Yacht Club of Monaco organized two events during this past very cold and windy weekend, with the participation of 280 sailors from 18 countries who wisely set up their base in sunny Monaco.

“At a time when weather conditions are difficult all over Europe, it’s good to be able to race at the highest level in a steady breeze beneath sunny skies in Monaco,” commented Nino Schmueli, World Sailing Instructor and PRO for the Olympic Games.

Germans dethroned the Swiss

For the eighth year in a row, 64 young competitors gathered in the Principality to compete in the Monaco Optimist Team Race, for an intensive program over four days with no less than 150 races.

Race Day 2

Race Day 2

Race Day 4

Prizegiving ceremony

Alfredo Ricci, PRO, Team Race specialist said: “Every year the level increases. These youngsters are very competitive and enthusiastic, given that for some from the north it’s impossible to sail in winter. Bring on the next edition

It was a full house for the Nordics with newcomers, the Bodensee Yacht Club Ueberlingen in Germany, dethroning Swiss title-holders, Société Nautique de Genève. “It’s the first time we’ve come and it has been a great regatta. It wasn’t easy every day, we had to fight hard but it was worth it,” beamed one of the German team’s members after the awards ceremony. The sailors from the Royal Swedish Yacht Club, also new to the event, were closely followed by the Finnish from Helsingfors Segelklubb.

The Monegasque team, the new kids on the block, made up of Andrea Tortella, Logan Viciana, Luca Frederiksen and Mathieu Choquet, finished 11th, just behind three-time winners of this event, the Gstaad Yacht Club.

Monegasques shinned in the Sportsboat Winter Series

For the three one-design classes competing in the first Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series regatta of 2017, the Monegasques rubbed shoulders with the best.

Melges 20 @Marina Semanova 2017

Melges 20 @Marina Semanova

Melges 20 @Marina Semanova

Race Day 3 – M32 @Francesco Ferri

Race Day 3 – M32 @Francesco Ferri

In the ultra-dynamic all-carbon M32 catamarans, the YCM’s Guido Miani (Team Neverland) won the event for the second time, one point ahead of the specialist and driving force behind this class, Riccardo Simoneschi (Italia Sailing Team).

In the J/70s the 40+ participants from 11 countries relished the steady northerly with slight choppy conditions. For many top sailors, Monaco’s winter circuit, with monthly regattas from October to March, is not to be missed as preparation for the big June-August European and World Championships. YCM teams clinched the top two spots: Stefano Roberti, European Vice-Champion with two race wins proved how at ease he is in this class, but it was Ludovico Fassitelli’s (Junda) consistency in the front that piped his rival to the post. Swiss Alain Stettler (Enjoy) completed the podium in 3rd.

In the Melges 20, Youry Morozov’s Pirogovo Sailing totally dominated ahead of countryman Vladimir Prozikhin (Nika), more comfortable onboard the Melges 32 and RC44.

Mark your calendars

Next will be the 33rd Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse from February 2-5, for the Melges 20, J/70 and M32, plus three other one-design classes: Star, Smeralda 888 and the official Tour de France à la Voile boat, the Diam 24od. A highly anticipated show with 100 boats expected on the Monegasque race area.

Final ranking for the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series:

J/70 (4 races)

Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda-Banca del Sempione), MON, 17 points

Stefano Roberti (Piccinina), MON, 21 points

Alain Stettler (Enjoy), SWI, 22 points

Melges 20 (5 races)

Youry Morozov (Pirogovo Sailing), RUS, 10 points

Vladimir Prozikhin (Nika), RUS, 12 points

Alexander Novoselov (Victor), RUS, 23 points

M32 (7 races)

Guido Miano (Team Neverland), MON, 13 points

Riccardo Simoneschi (Italia Sailing Team), ITA, 14 points

Lovisa Karlson (Cape Crown Viking), SWE, 18 points

Today’s Quote

“Sailing a boat calls for quick action, a blending of feeling with the wind and water as well as with the very heart and soul of the boat itself. Sailing teaches alertness and courage, and gives in return a joyousness and peace that but few sports afford.” George Matthew Adams

Germany claimed Optimist Team victory with Monegasques leading the pack in Sportsboats High winds during first regattas of 2017 The Yacht Club of Monaco organized two events during this past very cold and windy weekend, with the participation of 280 sailors from 18 countries who wisely set up their base in sunny Monaco.