(Monte Carlo, Monaco)- YC Monaco’s Sportsboat Winter Series continues to
attract a growing international contingent of teams from all across
Europe, a record thirty-four J/70s are participating in this winter/s
2015/ 2016 series that ends in March. Seven countries are represented,
including Monaco, Italy, United Kingdom, Russia, Sweden, Germany, and
Switzerland.The first weekend of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series got off to a good start in a 6-8 knot easterly breeze. The Race Committee completed two races before a forecasted strong westerly coupled with a big swell caught up with the fleet and all returned safely to harbor to moor up in the YCM Marina at the foot of the Yacht Club de Monaco.
Leading the 70s after the first day was Monaco Class President Jacopo Carrain (CARPE DIEM) and the German skipper Micki Liebl on MYC 1 led the pack tied on points. Congratulations also for a fine performance by Timofey Sukhotin skippering JALAPENO, a regular on the Smeralda 888 circuit who is just discovering the J/70 and won the first race.
For
the second day of racing, a ferocious north-north-westerly breeze
greeted the contestants and challenged them to demonstrate their best
skills at navigating the enormous 3-5 metre breaking waves. The YCM’s
PRO knew how to manage the fleet and managed to set a course for the
massive wind shifts and gusts coming off the mountains. However, with
increasingly stronger gusts up to 30 knots, a second race could not be
held safely and ensure a level playing field for all competitors.Having already won the first race yesterday, Sukhotin’s JALAPENO won their second race and led the provisional overall ranking. Of note, was the penalty handed out to Francesco de Angelis (B2) by the Umpires, costing him any hope of a podium finish in the first regatta.
After a very lively start to the weekend, Sunday was much calmer, but tactically more difficult. Sailors had to be on their toes at all times to anticipate and react swiftly to wind shifts on the course and pressure zones across the race area. Five races were completed for a total of eight races, a fantastic start for the J/70 2015-2016 winter series! Having been black flagged (BFD) at the start of the second race, the German team on UNITED DOMAINS skippered by Jan Numberger lost their chance to win the event, despite finishing the top three in every race over the weekend. In the end, the Swiss team on APROTEC led by skipper Mathieu Cadei were the most consistent, always being in the top ten, and won with 24 points ahead of the German Micki Liebl (MYC 1). Congratulations to a fine performance by Monegasque skipper Cesare Gabasio sailing TINN 70 who completed the podium.
For
the next weekend of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, the J/70 fleet
again turned out in force but “old man Neptune” was notably absent- the
lack of wind permitted just three races to be sailed for the weekend.
December on the Côte d’Azur lived up to its reputation for mild
conditions, with a 7 to 10 knot south-westerly enabling the Race
Committee to launch three races on the first day of racing.As a result, the winners were determined on a tie-breaker sitting on 17 pts each. Taking that tie-breaker with a 3-3-11 scoreline was Sweden’s Ingemar Sundstedt on ROCAD RACING, settling for second place was Monaco’s Irina Travadel sailing with her crew on LIBECCIO- a great performance for her, with a 10-4-3 record. Third for the weekend was the German BREZE team led by Oliver Oczycz. Rounding out the top five were Italy’s Mario Beraha on SASHA GREY in 4th and the German crew on UNITED DOMAINS skippered by Julian Autenrieth.
The next events hosted by YC Monaco include:
- Jan 15-17- Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series- Act 3
- Feb 12-14- Primo Cup Trophee Credit Suisse
- Mar 4-6- Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series- Act 4
- Mar 18-20- Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series- Act 5
- Jul 2-3 Challenge Inter-Banques Trophee ERI
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