38th Primo Cup – Credit Suisse Trophy at the Yacht Club de Monaco – Day 1
by Isabelle Andrieux Mar 5 06:54 UTC
38th Primo Cup – Credit Suisse Trophy © Stefano Gattini
Double event for the Yacht Club de Monaco with three days of regattas in prospect. Some 400 sailors made the trip to take the start of the 38th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse which doubles as the fourth and final act of the 9th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series.
Four classes are in competition this weekend: Smeralda 888, Longtze Premier and the newcomers RS 21, alongside an impressive fleet of J/70s all in view of the J/70 World Championship in Monaco from October 14 to 22 2022.
The best sailors at the rendezvous
Each year, many big names honor this classic with their presence, as the biggest winter meeting in the Mediterranean since its launch in 1985. In the fleet of 80 J/70, the competitors see it as one of the last test events before the Worlds. . Some teams have breathtaking records, such as the Americans of Pinta whose crew includes Michael Illbruck, the new commodore of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and the American sailing legend, John Kostecki with ten world championship titles to his credit. name in different classes and victories in the Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup on USA 17.
After two races today, Découverte-Geo Mod takes the lead in the provisional J/70 classification ahead of the Americans Good to Go followed by G-Spot led by Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio. Winner of the last Act, the YCM member regularly tops the rankings.
At Smeralda 888, heated fights took place between the YCM member boats before Beda took 1st place in the provisional classification ahead of Black Star followed by Botta Dritta. In the Longtze Premier, the Germans of Wetfleet lead the ranking ahead of the Swiss of Shensu and Outsider.
Beyond Freedom sets the tone
New this year is a fleet of RS 21s, a sleek 21-foot keelboat that is lightweight, extremely manoeuvrable and requiring skilled sailors to maneuver them. Confident in their tactical choices, masters of maneuvers and inflexible under pressure, the Italians of Beyond Freedom led by Gianluca Grisoli held on to win both races. RS France then Gioia, on which we find Branko Brcin, a well-known figure in the Melges world, rose to 2nd and 3rd.
See you tomorrow at 11 a.m. for the first warning signal.
Provisional program : (subject to change)
Friday March 4
12:00 p.m.: first warning signal
Saturday March 5
11 a.m.: first warning signal
Sunday March 6
11 a.m.: first warning signal
One hour after the closing of the finish line: prize giving
More information on yacht-club-monaco.mc/evenements/primo-cup-trophee-credit-suisse
