Top sea-rowers competed in successful race this weekend
Another successful edition of the Challenge Prince Albert II, perfectly organized by the Société Nautique de Monaco (SNM) culminated this past Sunday, with 300 participants, with top sea-rowers among them, representing forty clubs from nine countries, descended in the Principality. (Photo insert: The competitors outside the Yacht Club of Monaco, site of the Societe Nautique de Monaco @Olivier-Vincent Marechal)
The brave competitors faced a gray sky, rain and cold on Saturday, but luckily the sun returned in force on Sunday offering Spring-like conditions. At the departure of the competition the Mediterranean waters were calm, but that was not the case on the 3,000-distance with waves, and the boats being rocked by the swell, in summary all the ingredients for a successful course and a true sea-rowing show! The Monegasque rowers won four Gold, one Silver and two Bronze medals, plus a Special Mention for the Elite seniors. All the results for both Saturday and Sunday can be found by visiting the site: http://www.avironmonaco.com
(In the Podium photo: Henri Doria (President of Monaco Rowing Federation), Gilbert Vivaldi (President of Challenge Prince Albert II), Eduardo Lanteri / Renato Alberti (San Remo ASD) S.E. Jacques Boisson and Jean-Marc Giraldi (President SNM) @Olivier-Vincent Marechal)
The course was laid at the foot of the Rock down below the imposing Oceanographic Museum, over two days of competition and two formats: the 6,000m race on Saturday and the 3,000m one on Sunday; with very different techniques and tactics and efforts to be made to pass the arriving line first.
Celebrated home victories in the Men’s section
In the masters’ category (CM2X S), the Elite seniors, the SNM got by relatively unscathed in the men’s section. Consequently, in the double, Quentin Antognelli and Mathieu Monfort retained their supremacy in that category, both on Saturday and Sunday.
In the Men’s Coxed Quadruple Sculls (CM4X), the SNM with William Ader, Gaetan Delhon, Maxime Maillet, Giuseppe Alberti and their coxswain Clara Stefanelli took their revenge over the Italian 2017 world champions of CC Saturnia on Saturday, but the winners of Thonon last year returned to the top of the line Sunday morning on the 3,000m, with the Monegasques finishing however second far ahead of the Italians from Amalfi. At home victories that provide reassurance and are a good omen for the season that has been just inaugurated.
In the Male’s Solo (CM1X), Pierrick Ledard claimed victory on Saturday, followed by a rookie of the sea but a seasoned river competitor, Mathieu Moinaux from Verdun. The two French rowers were ahead of the 2017 Italian World Champion Simone Martini. But on Sunday Martini reversed the trend, recovering the leadership place.
The ladies put a good show on the sea
In the Women’s Solo (CW1X), the 2017 World Champion Diana Dymchenko flew over the course on Saturday, but it was the Monegasque Magali Albin who, thanks to a penalty suffered by her competitors Sunday morning, finally won the course.
We counted same trio at the top between Saturday and Sunday, but in different order, for the Women’s Double (CW2X), If Saturday the CC Saturnia came in front of the Hungarian of the Danubius NHE, the situation was inverted on Sunday morning, the SNM came third on both days.
In the Women’s Quadruple (CW4X), the Monegasques finished second in the 6,000m behind the Italians of San Remo, and the same scenario for the Doubles, as they got the first place on Sunday over the 3,000m, in front of the Italian adversaries victorious the day before.
The Juniors assure the relay!
In the Juniors’ section, the work of the SNM and its trainer Daniel Fauché was evident with well deserved victories registered both on Saturday and Sunday.
The SNM is proud to have welcomed once again crews from prestigious schools such as the Polytechnique, HEC, ESC Paris or even the school of Sciences Politiques of Menton. It proves that rowing, and particularly sea-rowing, attracts more students year after year, uniting them among this sport common values.
Today’s Quote
“A boat doesn’t go forward if each one is rowing their own way.” Swahili Proverb
Monaco Reporter 