2016 Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse - An event beyond borders

by Yacht Club Monaco on 15 Feb 2016 2016 Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse - With 14 nationalities, 800 sailors and more than 150 boats divided into nine classes the Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse’s reputation has gone beyond borders to establish itself as a classic on the international calendar for more than 30 years. The six days of racing organised over two consecutive weekends once again attracted a strong fleet.

Monaco’s Minister of State, HE Serge Telle, attended the final prize-giving of this 32nd edition. As always for this event, loyal partner SLAM presented all crew members in the top three of each class with garments from its Advanced Technology range.

After a very successful weekend for the nine Smeralda 888s, 16 Surprises, 15 SB20s, 14 Stars and 22 IRCs one to four, it was the turn of three other classes to put on a show, with a record number of J/70s (45) plus 24 Melges 20s and, competing for the first time, four Diam 24ods, a one-design multi-hull and official boat of the Tour de France à la Voile since 2015.

At the same time, the Yacht Club de Monaco hosted a meeting of the Comité International de la Méditerranée (CIM), which manages classic yacht activities in the Mediterranean, and an umpires course run by Nino Shmueli, member of World Sailing’s international race committee.

Diam 24od: they were flying

An impressive and extremely physical multi-hull which YCM Vice-President Pierre Casiraghi was sailing on for the first time: “It’s great fun, very fast and in the conditions (20 knots) very physical. I really look forward to trying it again. Thank you to Gwen and all the team on Terrillon Avocats for being so welcoming.” Third overall, Gwen Riou (Terrillon Avocats) were pipped to the post by Aymeric Arthaud (Reel/PGO Automobiles) then Vianney Bergot (Guyader) who came first.

J/70: a Monegasque tops the ranking

A thriving class, the J/70s are on a wave with 45 boats lined up on the start for this 32nd edition. For the first time, a Monegasque and J/70 Monaco Class Association President to boot, Jacopo Carrain (Carpe Diem) topped the ranking: “I am very happy with this result, particularly given the outstanding turnout.”

In second the Russian Mark Kaganskiy (Yanis) was the big surprise of the event, having left the lakes around Moscow for the first time to try his luck on the sea, with Yacht Club de Monaco member, Stefano Roberti (Piccinina) completing the podium in third.

Melges 20: Russian revolution

There were 13 teams flying the Russian flag of the 24 entrants, with victory going to Russian Sailing Federation President, Vladimir Silkin (Anna) followed by Italian Manfredi Vianini Tolomei (Maolca), then Igor Rytov (Russian Bogatyrs).

Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series: count-down to Act V

The Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse was also Act 4 of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series for the J/70s and Melges 20s. Organised once a month from October to March, these regattas give experienced professional and amateur teams a chance to train for the season’s big meetings. Initiated by Valentin Zavadnikov in 2013, the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series offers high level competition to one-designs. Currently leading the field in this, the third edition, is the British sailor Sam Carter (Brutus) in the J/70 class and Alexandr Ezhkov (Pirogovo) in the Melges 20. The fifth and final Act is on 4th to 6th March for the J/70s and 18th to 20th March for the Melges 20s.

Next year’s Primo Cup:

Benefiting from a new building with superb facilities for hosting competitors, the Yacht Club de Monaco has decided to change the Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse formula, by bringing all classes together for one weekend, starting 2017. The 33rd edition will be from second to 5th February 2017: a spectacle guaranteed with 150+ boats on one race area!

Results for the 32nd Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse:

J/70:

1. MON – Jacopo Carrain (Carpe Diem)
2. RUS – Mark Kaganskiy (Yanis)
3. MON – Stefano Roberti (Piccinina)

Melges 20:

1. RUS – Vladimir Silkin (Anna)
2. ITA – Manfredi Vianini Tolomei (Maolca)
3. RUS – Igor Rytov (Russian Bogatyrs)

Diam 24od:

1. FRA – Vianney Bergot (Guyader)
2. FRA – Aymeric Arthaud (Reel/PGO Automobiles)
3. FRA – Gwen Riou (Terrillon Avocats)