Primo Cup Trophee Credit Suisse – 800 sailors from 15 nations expected
by Yacht Club de Monaco on 2 Feb 2017
Primo Cup Trophee Credit Suisse – 800 sailors from 15 nations expected Luca Butto
Monaco: As part of its proactive sailing policy and bringing life to the harbour, the Yacht Club de Monaco is expecting an armada of one-design elites for the 33rd Primo Cup - Trophee Credit Suisse, 2-5 February. With 800+ sailors from 15 countries expected, the event brings together top European teams and enthusiastic amateurs.
The 33rd Primo Cup - Trophee Credit Suisse sees a major change in format as it will run over one single weekend for the first time since its launch in 1985. Three courses will be set in the bay of Monaco, another first for the Primo to give each class more space and opening up the choice of tactical possibilities compared to previous years where up to six classes were sometimes rounding the marks at a time.
Among the regular one-design classes, of note this year is the presence of the ultra-modern all-carbon M32 multi-hull.
For the Stars, the Primo Cup is the second stage of their winter circuit. Around 20 teams are expected including Austrian Christian Nehammer from the Beijing Olympics and 1991 World Champion, Italian Roberto Benamati, both serious podium contenders. They face American Jack Jennings, making the trip from the USA, teamed up with German Frithjof Kleen, one of the best sailors in this class and 2014 World Champion.
The German Frers-design Smeralda 888 class, held in such affection by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and Yacht Club de Monaco, will be there with the doyen of the fleet, Adalberto Miani, in the role as favourite.
In the Melges 20s and J/70s, who have established their winter base in the Principality since October, many are from Northern and Eastern Europe. They will be battling it out for precious points at this Primo Cup - Trophee Credit Suisse, a key stage for both classes in the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series before the final weekend early March, and generally in the Melges 20 Mediterranean calendar.
Both these very international classes will be out in force with 40-plus J/70s and 20-plus Melges 20s, including experienced teams, such as Italian Vincenzo Onorato (Mascalzone Latino, J/70) and Frenchman Sebastien Col (Arcora, Melges 20).
It all starts on Thursday with a warm-up race at 1.00pm and the first official races on Friday at 11.00am.
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