Please select your home edition
Edition
X-Yachts Leaderboard 2024 1

36th Primo Cup - Trophee Credit Suisse at Yacht Club de Monaco - Overall

by Isabelle Andrieux 9 Feb 2020 15:17 PST 6-9 February 2020

The Primo-Cup Trophée Credit Suisse is one of those classic winter events that keep up with tradition while always adding something new.

A breath of fresh air for this 36th edition which delighted Yacht Club de Monaco General Secretary Bernard d'Alessandri: "Alongside loyal regulars we welcomed two classes new to the event, L30 and Onefly. Every year, the Primo kicks off the season in the Mediterranean and we always aim for something new."

It's a successful format that attracted 450 sailors on some 100 boats divided into six classes. With 20 nations represented the regatta lived up to its already solid reputation, with clothing from Slam awarded to the top three in each class. Temperatures of 14oC in 5-15 knots of wind on a flat sea with sunshine ensured all crews will have good memories of this 2020 vintage year.

J/70: a trial run for everyone

From day one, the Russians on Elf were straight out of the starting blocks with three 2nd places and a 6th in the four races completed by the 65-strong fleet, ensuring them victory. It was not a done deal behind them with Cer Aprotec - Ville de Genève finally clinching 2nd and the YCM's Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-Spottino) 3rd. In the Corinthian (amateur) category, the British team on Brutus took 1st equal on points with Cesare Gabasio (Tinnj70) followed by Stefano Roberti (Piccinina), both YCM members.

These results give some indication of what could happen at the J/70 World Championship 2021 that is being held here in Monaco from 18-23 October. "The field at this Primo Cup augurs well for a high level at the Worlds. We are really looking forward to it," says the G-Spottino helmsman who has his heart set on a medal at home.

L30: from offshore to the Primo Cup

As for the L30 fleet, the boat chosen for the first offshore World Championship, they had every reason to be here, with eight boats representing as many nations making their first tacks and gybes on the Monaco race area. Strong from the start, the Belgian Jonas Gerckens fended off Anastasia Kolesnichenko and her crew to win this event, with YCM's Denis Lankin in 3rd.

Developed by Ukrainian Olympic medallist Rodion Luka in collaboration with RC44 designer, Andrej Justin, the 30-footer is a double-hander for those who want to be at the Paris Olympics in 2024 which will host the offshore mixed-doubles class.

No surprises

Longtze Premier: There are not enough superlatives to describe the winning form of the Swiss on Shensu for a faultless performance throughout the regatta in the Longtze Premier class. It proved impossible for the equally impressive team on Qi to dislodge them, so 2nd for them, with Steffen Schneider (Outsider) in 3rd.

Smeralda 888: In the Smeralda 888, Timofey Sukhotin (Beda) won the match ahead of Botta Dritta and Black Star. The Primo Cup marks the start of their Championship for the season, currently led by Timofey Sukhotin who temporarily dethrones 2019 title holder, Charles de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles, class president. The fleet will be racing again in Monaco for the Spring Challenge (20-22 March).

Melges 20: In the Melges 20, two YCM members, Valentin Zavadnikov (Oleg Reps) and Anatoly Karachinsky (Path) took 1st and 3rd, with Russian Alexander Mikhaylik (Alex Team) in 3rd.

Sensational entrance

In Monaco for the first time was a fleet of Onefly dinghies, a winged and foiled one-design that aroused the curiosity of spectators and competitors alike. These marine dragonflies can take off and quickly get up to speeds of 8 knots and up, even in light airs. Although not officially competing in the Primo Cup, the ten boats put on a show at the foot of the Rock, alternating displays and races. Christopher Pratt, skipper of numerous Jacques-Vabre Transats and countless Solitaire du Figaro solo races was one of the headliners who accepted the YCM's invitation: "It's great to be back in the Principality and sailing on such an appealing boat as the Onefly. We are here at the foot of the mountains, between two systems - east and west - it's really exceptional."

Champagne as tradition dictates

As well as the racing, there were two official boat christenings, complete with champagne broken on the hulls to wish them good luck: Nico Poons' J/70 Charisma and Timofey Sukhotin's Smeralda 888 Beda. The ceremony was attended by YCM Board Committee members, including Charles de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles (owner of the Smeralda 888 Vamos mi Amor) and Bernard d'Alessandri.

As the curtain fell on this 36th Primo Cup - Trophée Credit Suisse, many boats left this evening except for many of the J/70s and Melges 20s who will be back on the water for the fifth and final Act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series - 5-8 March 2020.

www.yacht-club-monaco.mc/en/regattas-events/20-19/primo-cup-trophee-credit-suisse

J/70:

1st: Mikhail Sheremetev (Elf) - RUS: 12 points
2nd: Nelson Mettraux (CER APROTEC-Ville de Genève) - SUI: 26 points
3rd: Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-Spottino) - MON: 32 points

J/70 Corinthian:

1st: Charles Thompson (Brutus- GBR: 60 points
2nd: Cesare Gabasio (Tinnj70) - MON: 60 points
3rd: Stefano Roberti (Piccinina) - MON: 67 points

Smeralda 888:

1st: Timofey Sukhotin (Beda) - MON: 8 points
2nd: Francesco Vauban (Botta Dritta) - MON: 10 points
3rd: Paolo Rotelli (Black Star) - MON: 14 points

Longtze Premier:

1st: Jarmo Wieland (Shensu) - SUI: 5 points
2nd: Franck Beat (Qi) - SUI: 7 points
3rd: Steffen Schneider (Outsider) - SUI: 13 points

L30:

1st: Jonas Gerckens (Jonas Gerckens) - BEL: 9 points
2nd: Anastasia Kolesnichenko (Humphreys Conrad) - GBR: 10 points
3rd: Denis Lankin (Maria Naboka) - MON: 11 points

Melges 20:

1st: Valentin Zavadnikov (Oleg Reps) - MON: 12 points
2nd: Alexander Mikhaylik (Alex Team) - RUS: 13 points
3rd: Anatoly Karachinsky (Path) - MON: 14 points

Onefly:

1st: Matisse Pacaud - FRA: 8 points
2nd: Nicolas Berenger - FRA: 15 points
3rd: Eliot Bourgeois - FRA: 15 points

Related Articles

20th Palermo-Montecarlo Regatta overall
The grand finale with presentation of challenge trophies and recognitions to the best crews The twentieth anniversary Palermo-Montecarlo concluded as usual, against the backdrop of the Yacht Club de Monaco, overlooking the Principality's skyline, with the crowded and festive awards ceremony. Posted on 25 Aug
20th Palermo-Montecarlo Regatta day 5
After Friday's record number of finishes, Saturday saw only four boats finish the race The 20th anniversary of the Palermo-Montecarlo is preparing for its grand finale: after Friday's record number of finishes, this Saturday, August 23rd, saw only four boats finish the race. Posted on 23 Aug
20th Palermo-Montecarlo Regatta day 4
14 boats crossed the finish line overnight The 20th Palermo-Montecarlo lived its traditional peak day with 14 boats crossing the finish line after 500 challenging and exciting miles of racing. Posted on 22 Aug
20th Palermo-Montecarlo Regatta day 3
An intense day with the first seven boats finishing Thursday, August 21, will be long remembered in the history of the Palermo-Montecarlo: it began shortly before 3:00 AM in the middle of the night with the arrival of the Monegasque maxi Black Jack. Posted on 21 Aug
20th Palermo-Montecarlo Regatta day 2
Black Jack takes line honours and super record Black Jack crossed the line between the outer breakwater of Port Hercules and the YCM strobe buoy at 2:53:13, even earlier than expected, briefly burning the club's dinghies and those of the media who had come out to capture the moment. Posted on 21 Aug
Black Jack 100 claims line honours
20th Palermo–Montecarlo Regatta The 100-foot maxi Black Jack 100 has once again proven her dominance in offshore racing, securing Line Honours at the 20th edition of the Palermo-Montecarlo Regatta. Posted on 21 Aug
20th Palermo-Montecarlo Regatta day 1
Spectacular start and perfect weather in the Gulf of Mondello The 20th Palermo-Montecarlo it got under way in perfect schedule at 12 am from the Gulf of Mondello, in perfect weather conditions: sunshine and east-northeasterly winds at about 10 knots. Posted on 19 Aug
20th Palermo-Montecarlo Regatta Preview
Updates on the entrants, the competing nations, the protagonists, and the programme The days of the Palermo-Montecarlo are back, the offshore sailing regatta that unites Sicily and the Monaco Principality and represents an ever-changing challenge for all sailors, from renowned navigators to amateur crews. Posted on 18 Aug
A Crown for the Principality
Yacht Club de Monaco wins the 2025 Admiral's Cup The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) is delighted to announce the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) as the winner of the 2025 Admiral's Cup. Posted on 30 Jul
One month to the 20th Palermo-Montecarlo Regatta
A major international edition is under way for the regatta's twentieth anniversary The Palermo-Montecarlo regatta is approaching its twentieth anniversary, a prestigious milestone that seems to have arrived in a flash, since that distant August 2005, the year with the debut victory of a legendary yacht, the Steinlager II oceanic ketch. Posted on 20 Jul
Zhik 2024 DecemberVaikobi Custom TeamwearDoyle_SailWorld_728X90px_cruise BOTTOM