38th Primo Cup – Credit Suisse Trophy at the Yacht Club of Monaco

38th Primo Cup – Credit Suisse Trophy at the Yacht Club of Monaco – General

by Isabelle Andrieux Mar 7 11:24 UTC

The temperature dropped as tension rose on the final day of the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse, a flagship winter event organized by the Yacht Club de Monaco, with technical Slam clothing for all winners, launched in 1985 at the instigation of of the President of the YCM, HSH Prince Albert II.

For the 38th edition 14 nations, 400 sailors and four classes (J/70, Smeralda 888, RS 21 & Longtze Premier) were in competition. Some big names in sailing made the trip including John Kostecki, winner of the Volvo Ocean Race and the America’s Cup on USA 17, Michael Illbruck and 470 Olympic medalist Will Ryan.

For the J/70s, there were two prizes to aim for as the Primo Cup doubles as the fourth and final act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series of monthly regattas, which this season were a qualifier for Monegasque teams hoping to take part in the next championship of the world. here in Monaco (14-22 October 2022).

cool determination

From start to finish, it was a battle of wills, the Swiss J/70 Découverte-Geo Mod keeping a cool head. The quartet kept up the pressure, unequaled in their reading of the course in a slight 5-10 from West on the last race of the day. Even the combative Americans of Good to Go could not alter the inevitable by finishing 2nd ahead of another Swiss team on the CER Aprotec-Ville de Genève. Among the Monegasque favorites of the J/70, Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-Spot) followed the pace of the leaders to finish in style 4th while another member of the YCM, Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda) arrived 6th.

This weekend also marked the end of the 2021/2022 Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series season won by Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda) ahead of Loïc Pompée (Sailing Racing Team) and Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-Spot). “I’m delighted with this win,” said the Junda helmsman, “it’s been a great season and we’re looking forward to the Worlds.”

In the Corinthian category, the Irish Wildcard won the jackpot of the season, TinnJ/70 by Cesare Gabasio and Piccinina by Stefano Roberti, both Monegasques, completing this podium.

Dominant forces

New to the Primo Cup-Credit Suisse Trophy winter classic, the RS 21s launched in 2018 have delighted those who have seen them in action. Very popular in Italy, the class attracts many outstanding sailors like Branko Brcin on Gioia who finished 2nd.

At the front of the pack, it was all about the domination of Beyond Freedom, there was no need to mortgage the dreams of the men on this Italian RS 21 driven by Gianluca Grisoli who won three of the five races.

Ditto for Smeralda 888 where Black Star won hands down by finishing in the top three in all races. The podium of this class of “Gentlemen Racers” was completed by Botta Dritta then Beda.

It was a much closer final in the Longtze Premier where Wetfleet won by a hair’s breadth although level on points with Shensu in a fascinating contest here in Monaco.

The story continues as a date has been set in the Principality (2-5 March 2023) for the 39th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse. Until then, the J/70s have an appointment for the World Championship where at least 90 teams are expected. Also note how the YCM has organized numerous training clinics, supervised by high-level technical gurus to help the Monegasque fleet prepare for the challenges ahead.

Overall results:

J/70
1st: Kilian Wagen (Discoveries-Geo Mod) – SUI – 10pts
2nd: Douglas Rastello (Good to Go) – United States – 19pts
3rd: Nelson Mettraux (CER Aprotec – City of Geneva) – SUI – 26pts

J/70 – Corinthian
1st: Damian Michelier (Sage Engineers Sailing Team) – FRA – 38pts
2nd: William Twomey (WildCard) – IRL – 42pts
3rd: Charles Thompson (Brutus II) – GBR – 54pts

Emerald 888
1st: Paolo Rotelli (Black Star) – MON – 8pts
2nd: Francesco Vauban (Botta Dritta) – MON – 12pts
3rd: Timofey Sukhotin (Beda) – MY – 13pts

Longtze Premier
1st: Eckhard Kaller (Wetfleet) – GER – 6pts
2nd: Jarmo Wieland (Shensu) – SUI – 6pts
3rd: Torsten Muller (Emile Bleu’s Little Brother) – SUI – 12pts

RS 21
1st: Gianluca Grisoli (Beyond freedom) – ITA – 5pts
2nd: Brenco Carlo (Gioia) – ITA – 7pts
3rd: Jostein Aker (Team Lånekassen) – NOR – 17pts

More information on yacht-club-monaco.mc/evenements/primo-cup-trophee-credit-suisse