J/70S AND WOMEN J/80 TEAMS INVITED TO COPA DEL REY MAPFRE!

(Copa del Rey, Spain)- The 39th Copa del Rey MAPFRE, organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP), will be held from 31st July to the 7th of August, 2021. Racing will take place on the Bay of Palma in front of the historic and incredibly picturesque waterfront of the city of Palma on the island of Mallorca. 


For the first time the European J/70 class is invited to participate as well as women's team to sail on supplied J/80s from the local Palma J/80 fleet. Sailing in Palma for most sailors ranks as a "bucket list" event, such is the notoriety of the region for fun in the Mediterranean sun!

Generally, the regatta is nothing short of spectacular. For four straight days, the competitors can expect clear blue skies in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea with the noon-time sea breezes building from the southwest into the 8 to 15 kts range...at least that's what the local chamber of commerce claims on their brochure! No question, that part of the Med is famous for its remarkable weather in August and is a reason why Palma is notoriously famous amongst the world's "glitterati", with numerous famous super yachts often parked inside the marinas.  Treat yourself to an amazing experience. Click here and learn more about the Copa del Rey MAPFRE.Add to Flipboard Magazine.

G-SPOT CROWNED PRIMO CUP- TROPHY CREDIT SUISSE CHAMPION

(Monte Carlo, Monaco)- The 2021 pandemic version of the famous Primo Cup- Trophee Credit Suisse took place on the storied waters of Hercules Bay in front of Monte Carlo, Monaco. Hosted by the eponymous Yacht Club de Monaco, the fleet of twenty local J/70s enjoyed two-straight days of nice sailing. Here are the reports of what happened over the three days of competition.


Day 1- Gorgeous Easterly
A 6-7 knot easterly wind blew in across the Bay all day long. That enabled the J/70 class to complete three races in nearly ideal conditions. At the conclusion of the day's racing, it was Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio's G-SPOT that came out on top ahead of the crew on CER-APROTECT and Loïc Pompée's SAILING RACING TEAM. In the Corinthian (amateur) category, Cesare Gabasio’s TINN J70, Stefano Roberti PICCININA and Thomas Studer's JERRY comprised the podium after this first day.


Day 2- Awesome Big Wave Planing Conditions
It was a fantastic day for competitors with a 15-knot easterly gusting to 25 knots with a slight chop, optimal conditions for completing three races back-to-back.
 
Leading the J/70s after day one, the men on G-SPOT kept up the pace and by evening they maintained their top ranking, just two points ahead of Ludovico Fassitelli's JUNDA-SUMU CAPITAL. Pompée's SAILING RACING TEAM remained in a provisional 3rd place. In the Corinthian category, Gabasio's TINN J70 topped the table ahead of Roberti's PICCININA.

Day 3- Fade Away Sunday
After two great days of racing, the easterly finally blew itself out as the front continued to move off to the eastern part of the Mediterranean. As a result, all races were canceled on Sunday despite an attempt to get the fleet mobilized.  

“This year is very different, but it was important for us to maintain the link with members and keep some of our activities going, particularly as we prepare to host the J/70 World Championship next year,” explained Yacht Club de Monaco General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandro. “I also think it’s important for our young people to have an activity and maintain social ties. That is really essential for our club.”
 
As a result of Sunday's cancellation, the standing from Saturday evening stood. G-SPOT winning, followed by JUNDA-SUMUS CAPITAL and SAILING RACING TEAM. The Corinthians saw TINN J70 take the honors, followed by PICCININA. 

PETITE TERRIBLE- ADRIA FERRIES Wins Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series
In the interests of fair play vis-a-vis the international teams who normally descend on Monaco for this regatta, results of the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse did not count towards the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series. Therefore, the only results that counted overall were from Act 1 (14-17 January) and Act 2 (4-7 February). 

Consequently, after 14 races, the redoubtable Italians on PETITE TERRIBLE- ADRIA FERRIES (skippered by Claudia Rossi) won the series quite handily. Rounding out the podium were two YC Monaco teams; Serena di Lapigio's G-SPOT taking the silver and Fassitelli's JUNDA-BANCA DEL SEMPIONE securing the bronze.
For more YC Monaco Primo Cup- Trophee Credit Suisse sailing informationAdd to Flipboard Magazine.

PRIMO CUP- TROPHY CREDIT SUISSE PREVIEW

 

(Monte Carlo, Monaco)- Launched in 1985 at the instigation of HSH Prince Albert II, the Yacht Club de Monaco’s President, the Primo Cup has established itself as the big meeting that opens the season in the Mediterranean for Europe’s one-design elite. In the past, more than 450 sailors on 100 boats in six classes have descended on Monaco to celebrate this great classic.

Because of the infamous pandemic, the 2021 edition will see fairly radical, substantive changes to the event in order to comply with current guidelines for safety. 

The YC Monaco decided to adapt by maintaining this regatta with a reduced format which allows local crews to sail in compliance with current health measures. Only two classes, both of which are very active in the Principality, will be competing from Friday 5th March with the first warning signal at 12 noon for the J/70s. As every year, thanks to the support of long-time partner SLAM, the first three boats in each class of the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse will receive garments from the Italian supplier’s technical range.
 
In the interests of fair-play for the many international teams who usually descend on Monaco for the winter season, the results of the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse, which would normally also be the last act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, will not count towards the final ranking for 2021. Only results from Act 1 in January (14-17) and Act 2 in February (4-7) will count.

With an eye towards the 2022 J/70 World Championship hosted by YC Monaco, there are many highly experienced crews that are training in the local waters. 

One of the top Italian teams is Claudia Rossi's PETITE TERRIBLE- ADRIA FERRIES, current J/70 European Champions. They face tough competition from local sailors such as YCM’s Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-spot), Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda-Banca del Sempione). Loic Pompee's SAILING RACING TEAM, and Roberto Stefano's PICCINNA. As always with YCM regattas, young sailors from the YCM Club’s Sports Section also have an opportunity to pit their wits against the best on J/70s.  For more YC Monaco Primo Cup- Trophee Credit Suisse sailing information

G-SPOT TOPS MONACO J/70 WINTER SERIES ACT II

(Monte Carlo, Monaco)- The Monaco J/70 Winter Series continued this past weekend, hosted by the Yacht Club de Monaco in Monte Carlo. Twenty-three teams sailed the event with most participating from Monaco, but including enthusiastic teams from Italy, France, Switzerland, Russia, Sweden, and Netherlands. The fleet was greeted by rather mundane conditions for the famous Hercules Bay. For the most part it was grey and overcast with moderate conditions for the weekend. 

Over the three-day series, the YC Monaco PRO managed to run a total of nine races. In the end, it was Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio's G-SPOT that sailed a solid, very consistent series. Other than a black flag blemish on their record in the 7th race, they had four podium finishes including two race wins to take the event with 31 pts. net. 


Ludovic Fassitelli's JUNDA- BANCO DEL SEMPIONE started off the series with a black flag, and after a 2-2-1 in the next three races was looking good for the top of the podium. Thereafter, their team faltered a bit but hung on to take the silver medal with 34 pts. net. Rounding out the podium and taking the bronze medal was Claudia Rossi's PETITE TERRIBLE- ADRIA FERRIES. Starting off with a black flag as well, she amassed a regatta-winning tally of three bullets and 2-3-5, but that was not enough to overcome a second BFD in her 7th race. 


Rounding out the top five was Gianrocco's Catalano's ALICE in 4th place and taking 5th position was Loic Pompee's SAILING RACING TEAM.

In the Corinthians Division, it was Lorenz Kausche's RHUBARBE team from Switzerland that took gold. Second was Cesare Gabasio's TINN J70 from Monaco and third was Thomas Studer's Swiss crew on JERRY. 
For more Monaco J/70 Winter Series sailing informationAdd to Flipboard Magazine.

MONACO J/70 WINTER SERIES ACT II PREVIEW

(Monte Carlo, Monaco)- The Monaco J/70 Winter Series continues this weekend, hosted by the Yacht Club de Monaco in Monte Carlo.  Thirty teams are registered for the event with most participating from Monaco, but including enthusiastic teams from Italy, France, Switzerland, Russia, Sweden, and Netherlands. 

Look for the following teams to be in the hunt at the top of the leaderboard; Claudia Rossi's PETITE TERRIBLE- ADRIA FERRIES, Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio's G-SPOT, Roberti Stefano's PICCININA, Cesare Gabasio's TINN J70, Ludovic Fassitelli's JUNDA- BANCO DEL SEMPIONE, and Tom Studer's JERRY. The event is a schedule for three days, starting Friday and ending Sunday in Neptune's Bay. 
For more Monaco J/70 Winter Series sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

PETITE TERRIBLE- ADRIA FERRIES WINS J/70 MONACO WINTER SERIES ACT I

(Monte Carlo, Monaco)- For the start of its eighth season, the Monaco J/70 Winter Series had twenty-one teams participating from Monaco, Switzerland, Italy, and France! As usual, the Yacht Club de Monaco rolled out the red carpet for the happy and enthusiastic J/70 teams, hosting a wonderful event despite all of the precautions put in place for Covid virus mitigation. 

Like their compatriots in the USA, the Mediterranean Sea also delivered relatively light weather for the duration of the three-day series. In the end, the YC Monaco PRO managed complete a five-race series.


The fleet was deeply talented, including the past three-time European J/70 Champion- Italian Claudia Rossi's famous PETITE TERRIBLE- ADRIA FERRIES. Hopping aboard her boat with her familiar crew must have sent chills down the spines of the other top tacticians and skippers. Not surprisingly, it was pretty clear after the first day that Claudia had not lost her form, taking a 1-2 to easily lead the fleet. Thereafter, she posted a 1-7-5 to win the regatta with just 9 pts.  

Swiss sailor, Thomas Studer, started off slowly on the first day, then quickly made the necessary adjustments with his crew to sail smarter and faster the rest of the regatta. Studer's JERRY posted a 6-8-2-2-1 tally for a total of 11 net pts, nearly catching Rossi's PETITE TERRIBLE in the end. Sailing consistently from start to finish with all top 6 finishes was Giangiacomo Serena Di Lapigio's G-SPOT, posting a 4-6-4-5-3 tally for 16 pts net. 

Winning the Corinthians Division was Thomas Studer's JERRY. The balance of the podium was determined by a tie-breaker at 23 pts each. Taking the silver based on the countback was Ludovico Fassitelli's JUNDA- BANCO DEL SEMPIONE from Monaco. As a result, Cesare Gabasio's TINN J70 took the bronze medal. 

The next regatta will take place in Monte Carlo on February 4th to 7th, 2021. For more YC Monaco J/70 Winter Series sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

LA SUPERBA Five-peats J/24 COPPA ITALIA!

(Nettuno, Rome, Italy)- With a trio of victories and a second place for the series, the Italian Navy's Ignazio Bonnano sailed their famous ITA 416 LA SUPERBA to victory in the COPPA ITALIA J/24 off Nettuno, south of Rome along the Mediterranean coastline. Bonanno’s crew included Simone Scontrino, Francesco Linares and Vincenzo Vano. Hosting the event was the Nettuno Yacht Club and the Circolo of Vela Anzio Tirrena, with the technical and logistic collaboration of the Marina di Nettuno, the Circolo Canottieri Nettuno and the Italian Class J/24 and the sponsor support of Margutta Che Frutta!, Life Soup, Bontà Verde Agroama and Mille Gomme.

Taking the silver medal was Luca Silvestri and his ITA 458 team on ENJOY TWO. Then, sitting in third, just one point from the second, was Massimo Mariotti's ITA 502 AVOLTORE.

After the first four National Regattas (Marina di Carrara, Mandello del Lario, Cervia, & Nettuno), Bonanno’s LA SUPERBA is leading with Pietro Diamanti's JAMAICA team in second.  Eleven J/24s have competed so far in the four-event series. 


"Maximum attention was paid to the provisions on containing the spread of Covid-19, thanks also to the active collaboration of the Port Authority and the naval sector of the Guardia di Finanza, who were present and available for every need," explained Valerio Taveri of Nettuno Yacht Club. The President of the Marina di Nettuno- Ugo Lori, the NYC President- Mariano Manenti, and the CVAT President- Andrea Sanzone, strongly wanted to host this edition of the Coppa Italia. The Race Committee was composed of Costanzo Villa, Livia Serafini, Emanuela Proietti, Enrico Ragno, very willing to participate in the event, despite the period we are going through. We also wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Anzio Maritime District Office and the brilliant assistance of the Maritime Finance."

The final regatta of the Italian National J/24 series will be held on November 14th and 15th. Thanks for this contribution from Italian J/24 Class secretary Paola Zanoni.  For more Italian J/24 Class sailing informationAdd to Flipboard Magazine.

J/Crews Garner Silver @ Rolex Middle Sea Race

 

J/109 CRUSHES IRC DOUBLEHANDED CLASS!

(Gzira, Malta)- The 41st edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race that started on October 17th will go down in history as one of the longest on record and replete with stories of "stop & go" driving. The Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) was grateful they could host a fleet of fifty boats and have them race the famously spectacular 606nm course around the volcanic island of Sicily in the Mediterranean.

 
Principal Race Officer Peter Dimech basically summed up the race experience in his pre-race commentary, “the north west breeze will get them to Capo Passero on the southeast corner of Sicily on Saturday evening or night. Then, they may have a problem as the wind is set to die overnight.” No truer words could have described what basically happened in the entire race. The Straits of Messina turned into a giant wind hole. And just about every island mark the fleet went around produced even more wind holes.


Sailing in IRC 4 Class, Russian Alexey Moskvin's J/122E BURAN sailed an amazing race despite the anxiety-prone sailing conditions.  This experienced Russian offshore sailing team took the silver in their class, missing the gold by a mere one hour after five days of sailing!


Winning ORC 6 Class was the J/109 JARHEAD entered by the Jarhead Youth Foundation and skippered by Lloyd Hamilton. It was a stunning win for this youth team, taking their class by a huge margin and winning by 3+ hours corrected time. 

In the IRC 6 Class, the J/109 class reigned supreme, taking three of the top six spots. Italian Leonardo Petti on his J/109 CHESTRESS took the silver, while their colleagues JUBILEE (the French duo of Boess & Bordas) and JARHEAD youth team took 5th and 6th in class, respectively. 


In the IRC Doublehanded Class, Gerald Boess and Jonathan Bordas’ J/109 JUBILEE took home the John Illingworth Trophy for first on corrected time. Gerald from Austria & Jonathan from France met on the 2013-14 Clipper Round the World Race. 

Jonathan said: “The leg from Messina to Stromboli went very well for us and was a key component in our performance, we went to the right and got the lift. Racing with other boats fully crewed was also an advantage, especially the great sailors on Hakuna Matata.” 


Gerald commented: “Preparation is very important, especially sailing double handed. Everything from stowing the provisions on the boat to organizing a watch system. You also need to be thinking ahead about what is coming. Trust in one another is also very important, as you can have proper sleep during the race.”  For more Rolex Middle Sea Race sailing informationAdd to Flipboard Magazine.

J/99 KING OF BLUE Victorious at Les Voiles de St Tropez Regatta!

 

J/133 JIVARO SILVER & J/122E BURAN BRONZE IN IRC D CLASS!

(Les Voiles de St. Tropez, France)- Traditionally, the mixture of classic yachts with ultra-modern boats is the main characteristic of the world-famous Les Voiles de St Tropez Regatta. Organized over a week, from September 30th to October 8th, this event offers spectacular, beautiful sailing in an exceptional environment. 


From the cozy confines of St Tropez Harbor, the sailors depart each day to explore the widely varying race courses offered by the regatta PRO in the Bay of St Tropez, truly one of the most picturesque coastlines in the world.

In this amazing challenging year, a few J/owners have managed to excel and have fun with their family and friends.


After a four-day, four race event in rather changeable weather, between beautiful weather with a light wind and more difficult weather with strong winds, the J/99 KING OF BLUE finished 1st in the IRC E Class of twenty-boats with a remarkably consistent record of 1-1-2-1 for 5 points total! With all podium finishes, no other boat in their class even came close to challenging them! As the winner, they were also awarded the Marines de Cogolin Trophy.


We had a chance to catch up with owner Pascal Fan, owner of KING OF BLUE:

“We are very happy with our races at Les Voiles. This year has been very special for us. We bought the J/99 at the beginning of the year, before the Covid-19 crisis. We were only able to sail on board in regattas in the spring.  In fact, during the Sémac Trophy, we were fortunate to have finished 3rd overall!

It is with great pleasure that we’ve participated in this 2020 edition of Les Voiles in St Tropez.  We are so happy and so grateful to participate as a family and friends.  During the various coastal races, we were around 3rd or 4th on the downwind tracks and 1st on the upwind tacks. Our J/99 KING OF BLUE is the real bomb! We were all delighted to sail on board! You really have to try it to enjoy!"


Meanwhile, two other J/Crews had remarkable performances as well in huge, twenty-boat IRC D Class. Winning the silver medal was a familiar French crew, Yves Grosjean's J/133 JIVARO with a 2-3-2-3 tally for 10 pts. Taking the bronze in his first major offshore regatta was a Russian team; Alexey Moskvir's J/122E BURAN had a 3-4-3-4 record for 14 pts.  Learn more about the J/99 shorthanded offshore speedster here:

Rolex Middle Sea Race Preview

 

(Gzira, Malta)- The 41st edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race is scheduled to start at 11:00 local time on Saturday, October 17th. The Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) confirmed that everything is in place. The relief is palpable for the organizers and crews. Despite the club’s conviction that race could and should go ahead, if at all possible, it has been a long and uncertain wait. The fifty boats registered to set off on the 606nm course are proof that the conviction was well-reasoned.
 
Principal Race Officer Peter Dimech is probably the most relieved individual in Malta. “It’s an achievement, in the present circumstances, to have a fleet of 50 boats starting from Grand Harbour tomorrow,” he commented. Dimech is quick to give some context, “we are probably the last truly international race of 2020, a year of cancellations, so pulling this off is quite something.”


The race start looks fairly straight-forward, with a force 4 to 5 north-westerly to power the fleet off the line. “The north west breeze will get them to Capo Passero on the southeast corner of Sicily on Saturday evening or night,” continues Dimech. “Then, they may have a problem as the wind is set to die overnight.”

The fleet will be divided into seven start groups with the smallest yachts scheduled to cross the line first. Sailing in IRC 4 Class will be Russian Alexey Moskvin's J/122E BURAN, a recent podium finisher at Les Voiles de Saint Tropez in France. 

In IRC 6 Class will be Italian Leonardo Petti on his J/109 CHESTRESS. Joining them will be the J/109 JARHEAD that will be sailed by a youth team from the Jarhead Youth Sailors Foundation of Malta. Furthermore, sailing in IRC Doublehanded and IRC 6 Class will be the French duo of Boess & Bordas on their J/109 JUBILEE.  For more Rolex Middle Sea Race sailing informationAdd to Flipboard Magazine.

Gorgeous J/160 For Sale- Mediterranean!

* J/Net Brokerage Specials! Check out our exciting new site for lovingly-owned J/Boats from around the world.


J/160 #8 of the iconic J/160 Offshore Performance Cruiser has benefited from a major refit in 2014/2019, overseen by her captain of the past 8+ years, and is now available for sale. US owner under USA flag (USCG Certificate of Documentation).

In 2019, TRUE LOVE's hull was Awlgripped in Kingston Gray and the deck, including non-skid, was Awlgripped in white. The cockpit sole was done in teak in 2014 and her toerail, portlights & hatches were replaced in 2016.

Her cockpit was re-done in teak in 2014 and features a carbon-fiber wheel, new Raytheon navigation gear including helm plotter, and a custom retractable teak swim platform.

She has a spectacular cherry interior with teak & holly sole and dark blue interior cushions. Teak & holly sole replaced in 2014; cherry trim refinished in 2014.

Sleeps 9: Pullman berth forward with en-suite head/shower; dinette with seating for 8, pilot berth outboard to port; U-shaped galley; nav station with plotter, instrument display and electrical panel; 2 aft staterooms w/double berths; aft head w/telephone shower

Air conditioning in all cabins & salon (Dometic, 2014/2019). Virtually perfect, your dream around the world cruiser.   To learn more about this elegant and beautifully-equipped J/160 performance cruiser

Cruising the J/24 JUNGLE in the Med

* J/24 JUNGLE owner- Guus van den Akker- Maastricht, The Netherlands
Like the Stellin's cruising their J/42 on the Mediterranean, Dutchman Guus van den Akker has a great story to tell about sailing and cruising his beloved J/24 JUNGLE on the Ionian Sea around the gorgeous island archipelago off Greece. In short, he was reliving the voyage of Odysseus and, according to Guus it was a "fantastic experience".

"Cruising with a J/24 is a very nice thing to do. I am so lucky to have sailed my J/24 JUNGLE in Greece, especially the Ionian Sea, which is west from the mainland.

When I saw JUNGLE for the first time, for sale on a trailer at Lefkes Marine, her lines immediately struck my sense of beauty. Hmmm, Nefertiti’s nose. Aha, the hips of Brigitte Bardot, the behind of Naomi Campbell... In total, she was swift, elegant, fine for cutting waves. Small enough to touch the water delicately. Finally, my dream came true to buy this boat and start sailing in the waters where Odysseus had been splashing around a few millennia earlier.


The 2016-plan was to sail down to Kalamata and meet some family in Pylos on my way back. Remembering last year's experience, I was aware that it's difficult to plan for any distances while sailing. The lack of wind can make anyone annoyed, and even if you have a nice, steady wind, you can lose it in five minutes... such is the fickleness of cruising in the Mediterranean! Any rock, island, mountain can change the wind's strength or direction. And, of course, the incessant burning rays of the sun on the Med. With some luck, the wind begins in the afternoon and holds on until after sunset. The only average is change. Panta Rhei it will be.

JUNGLE is equipped with two anchors and some lines. Because her draft is only four feet, it's easy to anchor very close to the shore. That gives a surplus of possibilities and keeps her close to other people and beaches. JUNGLE makes friends. Everybody seems to know it's a J/24!

The interior became messy, but well-organized. I slept almost three months in her broad belly without complaint. Good waking up, in waves of small fishing boats, or by bells of nearby goats....


Sailing my J/24 JUNGLE as a cruiser, and singlehanded, was a constant joy. Responsive, agile, light, smooth. Easy to handle on the water. Enough deck for walking around. I did put some elastic cord around the helm for self-steering. My favorite weather is light to moderate wind, that's good for me. I like to fiddle around a bit and JUNGLE is fast. My only problem is lack of weight on the windward rail, when the wind is increasing above Beaufort four!

I am a cautious sailor, and start early in the morning, when my next harbour is a bit further along.

On some days, I really made some good distance, especially when helped on windless days by "Mr. Tohatsu" (my 4 HP outboard). But, when this dear friend refused to serve, it was possible to tack JUNGLE into creeks and harbours and moor the J/24 to the quay.

Sailing with friends makes friends happy. They steered and enjoyed that a lot, they did not want to leave the tiller! Their good fortune joining me enabled them to enjoy the fantastic surroundings. Greece is such a nice area for sailing, hiking, lazy afternoons at a cafe... Actually, just being there put you in a good mood...a peace of mind found nowhere else.

The food is fresh, the geography is astonishing, the variety is extraordinary, the delicious wine lifts your spirit, people are polite, freedom is the rule.


Once, while laying at anchor near Lygia, a yawl with three elderly man motored straight towards JUNGLE, I was a bit worried at their intent. However, just a few meters away from her, the yawl encircled my tiny JUNGLE, and one of the guys shouted with passion “J/24, the love of my life!” After this human serenade, the yawl vanished towards the blue horizon.

My J/24 JUNGLE had lots of compliments, and from all these remarks, you notice that experienced sailors still keep her dear in their heart. It seems that one view of a "J" is the trigger for good memories!


At the end of my fantastic trip, JUNGLE joined some regattas and we won a few prizes for being one of the fastest under 35 feet. That illustrates the abilities of this small cruiser/racer and even augments the esprit'd'corps and pleasure of being a "J" owner. The versatility of the design ensures you of even more friends and acquaintances, both in sport and on an adventurous cruise!

We ended safe and sound in Nidri. Now, I am working again as an interior designer and builder in The Netherlands and dream of this experience, wishing and hoping that I can do it again. Time is elastic, too. Someday soon....

For more perspectives on my experiences, watch a few of my videos on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tQNeI82Mfg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HAsBLQ-cyU 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__P58Hl6CeE

Greetings, Guus van den Akker"

Russian J/70 Wins Primo Cup- Trophee Credit Suisse!!

ELF Dominates J/70 Primo Cup- Credit Suisse Regatta
(Monte Carlo, Monaco)- Yacht Club Monaco's 36th Primo Cup– Trophée Credit Suisse took place last weekend off Monte Carlo, Monaco in what could only be described as "champagne" sailing conditions. For the first time in recent memory, the enormous sixty-five-boat J/70 fleet was treated to brilliant sunshine, relatively flat waters, and southerly breezes in the 8 to 15 knots range for all three days.


The regatta was the first "dress rehearsal" for the 2021 J/70 World Championship that will be sailed in the same waters and hosted by YC Monaco from 18th to 23rd October, 2021. Last year's winner, Ludovico Fassitelli on JUNDA, commented that, “you have to be constantly on the alert, always on the lookout without ever lowering your guard. Obviously, we want to win, but at the same time we are trialing new sails to decide which to use for the Worlds”.


From day one, the Russians on ELF flew into the lead, never to relinquish the top of the podium.  On the first day, they were fast out the starting blocks with three 2nd places. By Sunday afternoon, they had won their first-ever YCM Primo Cup Trophee Credit Suisse regatta; their skipper Mikhail Sheremetev and crew (Sergey Sobolev, Maksim Sheremetev, Pavel Sysoev, and Mikhail Chegurov) were overjoyed with their amazing performance. The Swiss team on CER APROTEC- VILLE DE GENEVE, skippered by Nelson Mettraux, took back to Geneva the silver medal. Finally, taking the bronze was YC Monaco's own Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio, skippering G-SPOTTINO. The balance of the top five included the "hard-luck" American team on FURIO in fourth place, they were in second place overall going into the last day, but a disastrous last race 26th dropped them off the podium. Taking fifth position was the Cyprus/ Russian team on AMAIZ, skippered by Viacheslav Martynov.


The Corinthians Division saw extremely tight racing with the winners determined on a tie-breaker at 60 points each.  Winning that tie-break on count-back was United Kingdom crew on BRUTUS- skipper Charles Thompson with crew of Tony Hanlon, Ian Southworth, and Craig Burlton. Taking the silver was Cesar Gabasio's Monaco team on TINNJ70 that included Paolo Canale, Pietro Corbucci, and Gianluca Caboni.  Third went to a well-known YC Monaco crew- Stefano Roberti's PICCININA with crew of Axelle Foucaud, Yves Drappier, and Ludovic Broquaire.   Sailing video highlights of first day   For more YC Monaco Primo Cup- Trophee Credit Suisse sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Primo Cup– Trophée Credit Suisse Preview

(Monte Carlo, Monaco)– The tradition continues in the Royal Principality of Monaco as the clock ticks down to the 36th Primo Cup, for the Credit Suisse Trophy and Slam garments, organized by the Yacht Club de Monaco. A meeting par excellence for one-designs, the regatta has been held every February since 1985, the month it was launched at the instigation of YC Monaco President HSH Prince Albert II.

This year again the profile of classes and competitors points to this being a regatta of a level that will live up to expectations with some 450 sailors expected. Primo Cup regulars now include a big fleet of J/70s with several Nordic teams who have based themselves in the Principality for the winter for the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series of monthly regattas from October to March.

The J/70s have a much larger fleet due to the fact Monaco is hosting the J/70 World Championship from 18-23 October 2021, a deadline attracting international teams like the Americans on Team Newport Harbor and the British on REDSHIFT. The latter will have Hannah Diamond onboard who recently cut her teeth on the Volvo Ocean Race after years in dinghy classes.


Bernard d’Alessandro, YC Monaco's Regatta Director, commented that "Monaco is an amazing destination resort and facility for international sailors. Between the sea and the mountains (we’re just an hour and a half from the ski slopes), it is an exceptional setting with conditions that vary hugely and challenge all the qualities of a good sailor. That’s not to forget the facilities we have in the Clubhouse, inaugurated in 2014, which is ideal for hosting crews and organizing high-level regattas. All these advantages attract many international teams who decide to come to Monaco to sail, as evidenced by the success of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, now in its seventh season from October to March and also organized by us.  For more Primo Cup- Trophee Credit Suisse Regatta sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.