(Monte Carlo, Monaco)- It took one small point to clinch victory, as Act 3 of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series went down to the wire. The event was organized by the Yacht Club de Monaco, in collaboration with clothing supplier SLAM.
The 45 teams of 13 nationalities who had made the trip were not disappointed, with five races completed in optimal conditions ranging from a 5-12 knot westerly, ending on a 10-14 knot easterly. For the 180 sailors it was another opportunity to experience the race area that is set to host the J/70 World Championship in October 2021. A dress rehearsal which drew international competitors like the Corinthian team from Seattle Yacht Club, as well as 11 Nordic teams including four from Sweden, one from Finland and one from Denmark.
The Russians on ARTTUBE, led by the talented Valeriya Kovalenko, pulled out all the stops in an attempt to snatch victory, but their record of an 8-1-1-9-2 for 12 pts net was not enough to dethrone Charles Thompson’s British team on BRUTUS. They may be in the Corinthian (amateur) category, but the BRUTUS boys proved they have what it takes to win at the highest level. Impeccable from start to finish, the British Royal Southern Yacht Club team kept up the pressure throughout the three days, showing remarkable consistency in their record with a 2-2-4-3-5 for 11 pts net total.
It was the Bo Pedersen's Danish crew on UPUPUP that grabbed third to complete the podium with an 11-23-2-12-3 tally for 28 pts net. In fact, they were equal on points and won the tie-breaker over Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio's G-SPOTTINO from the Yacht Club de Monaco, their record was a commendable 6-UFD-7-8-7.
Rounding out the top five was another top Russian team, Sergey Sobolev's ELF team posted another consistent record that was punctuated by a last race win- a 13-11-10-10-1 tally for 32 pts net.
Corinthians Division
Winning the Corinthians was Thompson's BRUTUS, with a significant lead. Taking second was the Swiss team of QUARTER2ELEVEN, skippered by Nick Zeltner, and following them in third was the Netherland's JELLOW helmed by Maarten Jamin.
Winter Series Provisional Rankings
This weekend’s win was enough to propel BRUTUS to the top of the provisional ranking for the Winter Series with 43 points under their belts after 15 races. Ludovico Fassitelli's JUNDA- BANCA DEL SEMPIONE, who had led the fleet after the first two Acts, now sits in 2nd place. Winners in 2017 and 2018, Kovalenko's ARTTUBE have their sights set on a three-peat, and their 2nd place this weekend takes them onto the third step of the provisional podium after three Acts.
All eyes are now on the 36th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse which is racing in two weeks from February 6th to 9th in Monaco. For more Yacht Club Monaco J/70 Winter Series sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.
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