5th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series - Act 3

Some 50 entrants and 150 sailors from nine nationalities were out again in force for Act III of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, organised once a month by the Yacht Club de Monaco from October to March, in collaboration with technical clothing supplier SLAM, an initiative of Valentin Zavadnikov.

All honours to the lady

She's done it again: Valeria Kovalenko (Art Tube) won the event in the J/70s with a consistency worthy of a metronome. The Russian team have put in a faultless performance since the start of the season - impossible to distract this lady from Eastern Europe whose strategy seems to get better and better with every race. However, the efforts made at the back were not in vain with the YCM's Stefano Roberti (Piccinina) taking a superb 2nd place, upsetting the established order of a very international podium, completed by the Swiss W.A.T.C.H. team.

5th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series Act 2 - photo © Mesi / YCM

The YCM member never lost touch with the pack, adapting his tactics to the changeable wind conditions. It was a particularly testing weekend with winds alternating between east, west and south, with everything from 3 to 30 knots.

Very international

Some had come a very long way to compete, like the Brazilians on Manda Chuva, who were 2nd overall last season. Note too the presence of French sailor Jean-Baptiste Bernaz, Laser star at three Olympics, and Elliot Willis, member of the British Sailing Team and a brilliant 470 sailor: "I was here for the previous Act. Every time, it's a real pleasure both in terms of the conditions and organisation. It's great to meet new teams and be able to race here in the middle of winter."

Every year, the YCM's regatta facilities attract newcomers, for example the two Omani teams who arrived in October for the whole season. For the fifth consecutive year Monaco has established itself again as a winter training base where some of the major one-design teams come to do battle.

Equally important is the role this Series plays in the YCM's training strategy. This weekend saw two teams from the Club's Sports Section competing. After a successful first season in the Laser Standard (Olympic class), Jérémy Moutout was again on the start of this Winter Series on Leva finishing 22nd. Rémi Piazza, a young Monegasque, was also at the helm of Levante, coming in 16th in the overall ranking and 2nd in the Corinthian (amateur) category.

Junda – Banca del Sempione keeps up the pressure

5th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series Act 2 - photo © Mesi / YCM

Just a few months since making his debut in the Melges 20s, Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda – Banca del Sempione) continues to gain momentum. Having won the first Act, the YCM member was again on the podium, this time in 2nd place behind the Russians on Rocknrolla. Alexander Mikhaylik leading the crew on Alex Team completed the podium.

A versatile talented sailor, Ludovico Fassitelli had already shown his true colours last season in the J/70s, finishing 3rd. It seems nothing can stop this talented helmsman. "It's great to finish in this place. We sail together regularly which means we keep up the pace and work on our reflexes and coordination." A tactic that clearly pays off.

5th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series Act 2 - photo © Mesi / YCM

As the final Act of 2017 for the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series comes to an end, teams are already preparing for the next event, 19-21 January 2018, before the "Big One": the Primo Cup - Trophée Credit Suisse from 9-11 February 2018.

Act III Results:

J/70
1st: Valeria Kovalenko – RUS (Art Tube) – 4 points
2nd: Stefano Roberti – MON (Piccinina) – 7 points
3rd: Jacques Leveque – SUI (W.A.T.C.H) – 7 points

Melges 20
1st: Dmitry Samokhin – RUS (Rocknrolla) – 5 points
2nd: Ludovico Fassitelli – MON (Junda Banca del Sempione) – 7 points
3rd: Alexander Mikhaylik – RUS (Alex Team) – 10 points

Provisional ranking after three Acts:

J/70
1st: Valeria Kovalenko – RUS (Art Tube) - 18 points
2nd: Stefano Roberti – MON (Piccinina) – 65 points
3rd: Germano Scarpa – ITA (Sport Cube) – 67 points

Melges 20
1st: Alexander Mikhaylik – RUS (Alex Team) – 36 points
2nd: Ludovico Fassitelli – MON (Junda Banca del Sempione) – 38 points
3rd: Maxim Titarenko – RUS (Leviathan) – 47 points

Full Results at www.ycm.org