One designs in Monaco

Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse took place this weekend for the Dragons, J/24s, Surprises, Melges 20s and Esse 850

A steady southwesterly breeze meant the Race Committee were able to run four races today, much to the delight of competitors on the final day of racing at the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse.

After the first round last weekend for the Dragons, J/24s, Surprises, Melges 20s and Esse 850, Monaco this weekend did provide enough wind for this weekend's four one-designs - the Longtze Premier, Platu 25 and Smeralda 888 and the X-35s, taking part for the first time in the Monaco event.

At this year's event, the Yacht Club de Monaco hosted the first ever round table on the health and safety of sailors at sea. A panel of 11 speakers took to the floor, including solo round the world sailor, Bertrand de Broc. “The ocean is a school for Man, an apprenticeship where he learns how to cope by himself vis-a-vis nature. Nature is powerful and one has to respect and fear it at the same time,” said the French sailor.

A Chinese delegation, on a trip to the Principality to learn more about Monaco's expertise in naval architecture and construction, also enjoyed the spectacle put on by competitors, particularly the Longtze Premiers which are built in Qingdao.

At the prizegiving the Primo Cup’s partner, equipment and clothing manufacturer Slam, presented the first three teams in each series with clothing from their Advanced Technology Sportswear range. The winner of the X-35 received a Hublot watch, as had the first in the Dragon class last weekend, it having been the most international class. The always highly anticipated draw for the gold ingot presented by Credit Suisse was won by the young Myst team, lead by the Stimamiglio brothers, competing in the Smeralda 888 class.

X35: the most powerful and fiercely fought

This was the most competitive of the four series, both on the passages between the marks and at the finish line, as the majority of teams arrived within two minutes of each other throughout the weekend. The level was the most consistent and the highest, including the likes of Tommaso Chieffi (Mag Jackpot Sailing Team) or Matteo Savelli (Lelagain).

The stable conditions of the last day of racing made for an even closer contest, as crews fought hard to get round the buoys. In a tense final race an element of luck separated the three leaders. In the end it was Mag Jackpot Sailing Team which snatched victory by one single point ahead of Spirit of Nerina and Lelagain, helmed by Alessandro Solerio, manager of the European class.

Longzte Premier: Happy Birthday to the winner!

In this class, first introduced here in Monaco three years ago, everyone expected Nicolas Berenger on Un maillot pour la vie to shine as he fought to make it three victories in a row in Monaco, but it was not to be. On this occasion he ceded victory the German Eckard Kaller on Wet Feet - “just because it’s his birthday” he joked, “but also because I made too many mistakes.” These two teams dominated the event with three race victories each; Switzerland's Frank Beat (QI) was third, eight points behind the Frenchmen.

Platu 25: strong German presence but an Italian leader

With only one outright victory in a race, the Italians on Nanuk still the overall, following a consistent performance which saw them among the frontrunners in every race. Throughout the weekend they held off attacks by Falkone and Farr Bar, last year’s winner -these two German boats each winning three races, totalling six of the eight that were sailed.

Smeralda 888: Botta Dritta beats the favourites to win

“It was a fantastic week-end with at least five or six of us on the same level which produced a real battle on the water; the standard was outstanding,” commented the winner Adalberto Miani (Botta Dritta). The Racing Officer of the YCM’s Sports Section put in a fine tactical performance to outwit and hold off his two closest rivals, Money Time and Vamos mi Amor. These two teams had on board very experienced sailors like Vasco Vascotto (Money Time) and François Brenac (Vamos mi Amor), but it was Botta Dritta which won the overall ranking with Lorenzo Bressani on tactics.

Money Time (second in the final rankings) lost his first place on the podium in the last race on the final approach to the buoy, finishing behind Vamos mi Amor. “It’s a pity as we were in the lead from the start to the last mark before the finish line. That’s racing for you but it was a lovely weekend, the Smeralda 888 is a great one-design series as all the contestants are on an equal footing. It’s the quality of the crews that make the difference and the standard continues to rise which makes racing all the more interesting,” observed Vasco Vascotto.

Final results

PLATU 25 after 8 races (7 counted) (15 registered)
1 – Luigi Ravioli, Nanuk, 34 pts, Italy
2 – Falko Knabe, Falkone, 38 pts, Germany
3 – Jens Ahlgrimm, Farr Bar, 39 pts, Germany

LONGTZE after 8 races (7 counted) (12 registered)
1 – Eckhard Kaller, Wet Feet, 29 pts, Germany
2 – Nicolas Bérenger, Un Maillot pour la vie, 27 pts, France
3 – Frank Beat, QI, 35 pts, Switzerland
SMERALDA 888 after 8 races (7 counted) (11 registered)
1 – Adalberto Miani, Botta Dritta, 24 pts, Monaco
2 – Alderico Paganini, Money Time, 24 pts, Monaco
3 – Charles de Bourbon Siciles, Vamos, 25 pts, Monaco

X35 after 8 races (7 counted) (9 registered)
1 – Roberto Mazzucato, Mag Jackpot Sailing Team, 26 pts, Italy
2 – Gianluca Vigano, Spirit of Nerina, 27 pts, Italy
3 – Franco Solerio, Lelagain, 29 pts, Italy