Demanding race attracts worldwide navigators
Over 400 sailors, representing 12 nationalities, on board 93 one-designs in five classes – J/70, Melges 20, Smeralda 888, H22 & Longtze Premier– gathered in Monaco February 7-10, 2019, to compete in the 35th Primo Cup, sponsored by Credit Suisse with the top three teams in every class receiving garments from SLAM.
Launched in 1985, at the initiative of HSH Prince Albert II, just a year after becoming President of the Yacht Club of Monaco, the Primo Cup has established itself as an important competition kicking off the season in the Mediterranean for Europe’s one-design elite.
With eight races completed in the J/70 and Melges 20, and seven for the Longtze Premier, H22 and Smeralda 888, the 35th edition lived up to its reputation as a very demanding quality race attracting sailors from all over the world.
Consistency paid off for the J/70
Nearly 60 teams in the J/70 class turned out for the Primo Cup with their World Championship set for October 2021 in the Principality.
Firmly in the 3rd place from day one, Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda – Banca Sempione) made the top of the podium, without having won a race but thanks to consistency. “I am delighted for two reasons: first because I had the chance to race with fantastic friends, and then what a joy to win at home,” said Ludovico Fassitelli. He beat Irishman and J/70 International Class President Ian Wilson (Soak Sailing), who came 2nd and winner in the Corinthian category. The Swiss Thomas Studer (Jerry) finished 3rd. (Photo: J/70 PrimoCup 2019 Prize Ceremony@Stefano Gattini)
Synergy took it all in the Melges 20
Valentin Zavadnikov’s Synergy swept the board this weekend winning five of the eight races. Against a Russian armada, another Yacht Club de Monaco member Orel Kalomeni (Team Arcora) put in a fine performance, thanks to invaluable coaching from Sébastien Col, to take 2nd ahead of Alexander Mikhaylik (Alex Team).
Having a Monegasque one-two on the podium in this highly competitive class shows that all the hard work put in since 2013, during the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series running from October to March every year and initiated by Valentin Zavadnikov, is paying off.
Smeralda 888 – Nip and tuck
As predicted, a tough battle between seasoned sailors went down to the wire in the Smeralda 888 fleet between three YCM members. Vincenzo Onorato (Mascalzone Latino), a newcomer to this class, where the helm is always taken by the owner, topped the ranking ahead of Class President Prince Charles de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles (Vamos mi amor), with 2018 trophy holder Timofey Sukhotin (Beda) completing the podium.
An extraordinary come back in the H22
Benedetto di Venosa (Adreanalina) was defeated by just one point by his compatriot in the H22 Roberto Iorio (Splinter), despite 3 wins and 4 second places out of 7 races. It is a sure sign of tough battles in this class, making a come back to the Monaco race area for the first time since 2007.
Longtze Premier – Persevere and you will triumph!
Swiss Jarmo Wieland (Shensu), who was 2nd last year in the Primo Cup was determined and took the title this time round, beating the German Thomas Begher (Corvus), with 2018 title holder Steffen Schneider (Outsider) completing the podium.
Registration is open for 36thPrimo Cup in 2020
A date has already been set for the 36thPrimo Cup, February 6-9, 2020 –Credit Suisse Trophy. Registrations for one-design classes are now open!
Today’s Quote
“Thought is the wind and knowledge the sail.”David Hare
Monaco Reporter 