Nine pairs of avid sailors set sail into the wind
The 9 duos engaged in the Monaco Globe Series, organized by the Yacht Club of Monaco, first of six stages constituting the new championship IMOCA 2018-2020, departed on Sunday, June 3, 2018, under breezy weather conditions. This new offshore double-hander competition, unassisted non-stop race, is the chance to conquer the higher number of points to qualify for the celebrated Vendee Globe 2020, the seventh and last race, or the holy grail!
Irish full breakfast & Celtic music
On Sunday morning, Prince Albert, the Yacht Club of Monaco President greeted skippers at a brunch in honor of Irishman Enda O’Coineen, who competed in the last Vendée Globe, and who came to the Principality to support his compatriot Joan Mulloy paired with Thomas Ruyant at the helm of Kilcullen Team Ireland. The event created a wonderful atmosphere of joy and camaraderie among navigators and supporters, the perfect send off for a tough race ahead.
After the full Irish breakfast Prince Albert rejoined his sister HRH Princess Caroline of Hannover, her daughter Charlotte Casiraghi, her daughter in law Beatrice Borromeo Casiraghi, and other members of the family on board M/Y Pacha III, to watch the depart of the boats from the sea. The kick off the race was precisely at 13:00, with Prince Albert at the mike wishing “Fair Winds!” to all participants.
Fastest racing boats with 3 women on board
The IMOCA 60-foot mono-hulls (length 18,28m, draft 4,5m and mast 29m) are among the fastest modern racing boats, built using composite materials, designed to be as light as possible (speed gains), while at the same time being solid enough to withstand the worst weather conditions when racing on open seas.
There are three women among the 18 experienced sailors competing in the Monaco Globe Series: Alexia Barrier on 4MyPlanet2, Joan Mulloy on Kilcullen Team Ireland and Isabelle Joschke on Monin. Go girls!
Introducing the teams
- 4MyPlanet2 – Alexia Barrier/Pierre Quiroga
- Boulogne-Billancourt – Stephane Le Diraison/Stan Maslard
- Bureau Valee 2 – Louis Burton/Arthur Hubert
- Groupe Setin – Manu Cousin/Alan Roura
- Kilcullen Team Ireland – Joan Mulloy/Thomas Ruyant
- Malizia II-YCM – Boris Herrmann/Pierre Casiraghi
- Monin – Isabelle Joschke/Alain Gautier
- Newrest-Art & Fenetres – Fabrice Amedeo/Eric Peron
- SMA – Paul Meilhat/Gwenole Gahinet
Like a chameleon the course will adapt to the weather
(Photo: The IMOCA60’s participating in the Monaco Globe Series 2018 @Studio Borlenghi)
The crews were able to fully unfold their sails under an east-south-easterly breeze, making for a great show at departure time. From Monaco they will be racing along the best corners of the Mediterranean, going down the west coast of Corsica before rushing into the Strait of Bonifacio.
There is a long descent to the Gulf of Mondello in Sicily, passing in front of Circolo della Vela Sicilia. The boats will then set course for South Sardinia and not Mahon in the Balearics. After an ascent toward Cagliari, the sailors will rejoin again the Principality with the finish expected sometime Friday, June 8 in the morning, after covering an approximate total of over 1,000 nautical miles.
In permanent contact with competitors, Guillaume Rottee, Race Director, will adapt the course as required depending on the weather conditions.
The positions of all the boats are tracked every 30 minutes and published on a map of the course. For live tracking CLICK HERE.
Prize-Giving Ceremony
Who will claim the trophy? The winner will be crowned during the Prize-giving Ceremony on Friday, June 8 from 18:00 at the Yacht Club of Monaco.
Today’s Quote
“Thought is the wind, knowledge the sail, and mankind the vessel.”Augustus Hare
Monaco Reporter 