4th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series - Preview
by Isabelle Andrieux 10 Nov 2016 09:25 GMT
11-13 November 2016
GC32 Racing Tour at Sotogrande © Marian Chytka
Guests of honour for first time in Monaco, the GC32 foiling catamarans set to put on a show
Throughout the winter season the bay of Monaco will be alive with more than 300 sailors from 12 nationalities competing in the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series of international regattas, organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco in collaboration with equipment manufacturer SLAM. After a first Act in October for the Melges 20, two new classes are set to do battle this weekend, the J/70s and for the first time the GC32s.
GC32s set to take off in the Principality
On the initiative of Pierre Casiraghi, four of the latest generation GC32 foiling catamarans, including Malizia will be at the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series for the first time, alternating fleet and match races on the same course layout as those for the America's Cup. The Monegasque team led by Pierre Casiraghi comprises Sébastien Col, Boris Herrmann, Richard Mason and Adam Piggott, competing against Team Engie, Realteam and Armin Strom Sailing Team.
Melges 20 have already got the ball rolling
The Yacht Club de Monaco launched the 2016/2017 Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series season with the Melges 20 class. Held early October it was won by the Russian Alexandr Ezhkov (Pirogovo Sailing), here this weekend to defend his lead at the top of the provisional overall ranking. The best sailors in this class will be on the start, including Valentin Zavadnikov from the YCM, the man behind this series, on board Synergy.
J/70s out in force
With 30-plus registered the J/70s are here on mass. The class has taken off in the Principality which now has 17 boats flying the Monaco flag. Nine are competing in this first meeting of the season, alongside German, Russian, Swiss, Turkish and even a Brazilian team.
A spectacle is guaranteed!
Programme for the weekend:
Friday 11th November
10.00am: 1st warning signal for GC32
12 noon: 1st warning signal for Melges 20 and J/70
Saturday 12th November
10.00am: 1st warning signal for GC32
11.00am: 1st warning signal for Melges 20 and J/70
Sunday 13th November
10.00am: 1st warning signal for GC32
11.00am: 1st warning signal for Melges 20 and J/70
After racing: Prize-giving
Results at www.ycm.org