(Monte Carlo, Monaco)- With nearly 1,000 sailors coming from all over
Europe, representing some 15 nationalities, the Primo Cup- Trophee
Credit Suisse organized by the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM), is one of the
most important winter events in Europe, marking the start of the
international sailing season.
The
regatta is sailed over two weekends in the beginning of February Feb
1-3 and Feb 8-10, with a primary focus on one-design sailing and youth
sailing. For the first weekend, included amongst the classes are the
European J/80 and J/24 fleets. Amongst the J/24s will be the Swedish
entry from YCM and Marstrand SS- Marianne Schoke and Stu Jardine from
the UK sailing SWE 330 JULIA! Also sailing are Alessandro Pedone from
YCM sailing ITA 455 BEL COLP JESTER; longtime local sailor Dennis
Frederiksen sailing MON 5452 PAGET for YCM and fellow club member Anne
Rodelato sailing the famous MON 24 JOKER.The second weekend marks the introduction of the new J/70 Class for the Primo Cup, and also the first major J/70 one-design event in Europe. The YCM are thrilled to have the J/70 class sailing and it looks like over a dozen boats will be participating from across Europe- so far, teams are coming from Italy, The Netherlands, France, Germany, Switzerland, Monaco, England and Russia! Amongst the teams will be a top J/22 Worlds team (2nd in 2012 in France), Woulter Kollmann from the Royal Dutch Sailing Association from The Netherlands, they will be sailing HENRI LLOYD. Also participating are Pietro & Giovanni Saccomani from Diporto Velico Veneziano from Venice, Italy!
The
Primo Cup attracts a lot of good sailors from across Europe to sail in
the prestigious venue of Monaco. Not hard to imagine why, since Monte
Carlo is one of the coolest places to sail on the Med, plus Monaco is
tres'chic! The YCM has the support of the famous royal family- the
Grimaldi's- a sailing family for generations. Monaco's Prince Rainier
collected his bride Grace Kelly by yacht from the deck of the USS
Constitution, the ship she had travelled aboard from America. And, it
was on the same yacht, "Deo Juvante II", that he and the new Princess
Grace spent their honeymoon cruising the Mediterranean. In other words,
salt water and sailing were in their blood.
Prince
Rainier founded YCM in 1953 with the aim of promoting yachting within
the principality-- starting with the old Société des Régates. In 1984,
his son Prince Albert became its President (seen here at far
right) and today the harbour is a seasonal focus of the international
super yacht fleet. Although a social venue par excellence, racing will
always occupy a major role in the club’s activities, the Primo Cup in
February being the season’s opener. Youth and one-design sailing are a
vital element of the club social life. Prince Rainier founded the YCM
Sailing School in 1970 for young people- it now uses a fleet of
Optimists, Lasers and Picos. The club also hosts fleets of one-designs,
including the J/24's which saw Prince Albert sailing for nearly two
dozen years! Perhaps the J/70s will be the next fleet for YCM's club
activities!
One
of the great attractions will be YCM's new clubhouse, designed along
the lines of a super yacht! With its magnificent setting overlooking
Port Hercule and the Med, it promises to be a superb showcase for
Monaco, reinforcing its position as the Mediterranean's "capital of
yachting". Designed by the world famous architect Lord Norman Foster,
the new YCM building will contribute to the vitality of life in Monaco
and the prestige of the Principality. It's an ambitious and symbolic
project, check out this YouTube video of the new Yacht Club de Monaco-- pretty amazing-- J/70s can easily sail in the pool! For more YCM Regatta and sailing information For more YCM Primo Cup sailing information
