Primo Cup comes of age

220 boats in various one design fleets competed over two weekends in Monaco

In total 220 boats representing 20 nations made their way to Monaco over two weekends, demonstrating the increased importance and reputation of the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse. Sailors came from as far afield as the USA, Russia, Ukraine, Spain and Croatia to participate in this regatta.

Unusual sea conditions greeted the participants of this XXIIIrd Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse during the last race. The swell added spice to the occasion providing memorable images. But the conditions did not unsettle the race committee, chaired by Thierry Leret, nor the results established during races over the previous two days, proving just how high the standard was among the competitors taking part in this weekend's series: Mumm 30, Melges 24, Platu 25, H22, First 40.7 and Smeralda 888. The format was identical to the weekend before for the Dragons, Stars, Surprises, Laser SB3s and J/24s.

The high level of competition was only matched by the atmosphere on land, where the famous après-regatta ambiance, so characteristic of the Primo Cup-Credit Suisse, was appreciated by all, some of whom did not miss out on anything. It was thanks to the support of partners Credit Suisse and equipment manufacturer Slam that every evening was made so enjoyable, as was the Pasta Party hosted by Eri Monaco. The Primo Cup - Trophée Credit Suisse also presented an excellent opportunity to celebrate some key events, such as the two baptisms this week-end. We greeted the arrival of the First 40.7 Delliantrice, in the presence of her sponsor Gilles Panizzi, as well as that of the new Smeralda K-zi Mo d'eau, baptised by Princess Camilla de Bourbon-Siciles. For the Primo Cup, this new Monégasque boat was loaned by the Yacht Club de Monaco to one of the teams from the Manhattan Yacht Club, who arrived in force with a delegation of 35 people.

H22 (19 participants)
The yellow spinnakers flying the Warner Bros' 'Titi' lit up the waters of Monaco over the three days of racing. The 19 boats in this series were here for the first time at the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse and battled it out until the very last race before the podium was decided. in the end the winner had no contest with Giovanni Punteno on Bleak totalling 7 points against 27 for his closest rival Nicola Polti ( Mintakino) who squeezed in just one point ahead of Alberto Valli ( Kikkio-next people), giving the Italians total supremacy in this series.

Melges 24 (23 participants)
The last two races did not change the results established the day before. For his first attempt in this series, Lorenzo Bressani at the helm of Spider, together with the Pavesio brothers, regulars of the Primo in the Platu 25 class, was always in the lead, winning four races and retaining eight points ahead of second placed Big Ship-Marseille Quantum skippered by Dimitri Deruelle and Maxime Paul. The Italian Sandro Montepusco at the helm of Airis took third prize. Congratulations are in order to fourth placed Benjamin Cohen, society member of YCM and skipper of Dieppe Seine Maritime, who was sailing for the first time with Philippe Ligot and Gildas Philippe, world champion in the Mumm 30 class. They outstripped the two stars of the series: Riccardo Simoneschi ( Giacomel Audi Team), recent winner of the Key West, who finished 4th, just ahead of former world champion Nicola Celon ( Bete Bossini).

First 40.7 (15 participants)
The French left nothing for the Italians, bagging the first eight places. The top three went to the wire before Thierry Bouchard's Spirit of Ad Hoc finally won the series for the second year in a row. It was a narrow victory nevertheless as only one point separated them from Cyril Baillie's second-place in Sayann2, helmed by Sylvain Chtounder. Celinou led by Hervé Peduzzi, President of the Mediterranean class, took third place.

Mumm 30 (19 participants)
An Italian-Monégasque podium in this series where the top three rankings were closely fought. Thule, led by the Italian Fausto Rubbini, President of the Italian class, proved to be the most consistent in staying out front and won through with 5 points ahead of Enfant Terrible helmed by Gianluigi Serena. Dangerous But Fun of Michele Perris, society member of the YCM, took third place ahead of Nouvelle Calédonie helmed by Bernard Mallaret alongside Vincent Portugal, who made a breathtaking recovery in the last race. It looks good for the 2007 season ahead and the next Tour de France à la Voile.

Smeralda 888 (13 participants)
This class is developing well and saw 13 competitors including one Australian - proof of the recognition for this new boat. The gap between the podium placers was always extremely tight and in the end just one point separated the first Giada of Alderico Paganini from the second Smeralda V, helmed by Agostino Randazzo, who came specially from Palermo to discover more about this class. Out of Reach belonging to Guido Miani, society member of the YCM, took third position for one point; president of the series, Prince Charles de Bourbon-Siciles finished first, with a victory in the last race. The Smeralda 888s now head off to Valencia (Spain) to take part in a series of regattas from 12 to 15 April, as a prelude to the Louis Vuitton Cup.

Bénéteau Platu 25 (9 participants)
There may have been only nine boats racing but suspense over who would take first and second place was maintained right to the end by the German Joachim Hellmich at the helm of La Revoltosa who beat his rival Savino Formentini on board Bitipi. Christophe Chaffardon at the helm of Black flag finished fourth in front of the Spanish Bribon.

The first three of each series received tokens to buy clothing from Slam's Advanced Technology Sportswear line, presented by Beppe Casalini, President of Slam. The gold ingot thrown into the hat by Credit Suisse (Monaco), represented by Alain Ucari, Director of Credit Suisse (Monaco), was won by Alberto Valli ( Kikkio-Next People), in the draw.

More photos on page 2...

Final results

Platu 25 (9 participants) – 7 legs – 6 counted to final result
1          La Revoltosa (Joachim Hellmich)         8 pts                GER
2          Bitipi (Savino Formentini)                    9 pts                ITA
3          Black Flag (Christophe Chaffardon)     20 pts              FRA               

First 40.7 (15 participants) - 7 legs – 6 counted
1          Spirit of Ad Hoc (Thierry Bouchard)    14 pts              FRA
2          Sayann 2 (Cyril Baillie)            18 pts              GBR
3          Celinou (Hervé Peduzzi)                      22 pts              FRA

H22 (19 participants) - 7 legs – 6 counted
1          Bleak (Giovanni Punteno)                    7 pts                ITA
2          Mintakino (Nicola Polti)                      27 pts              ITA
3          Kikkio –Next People (Alberto Valli)28 pts                  ITA

Melges 24 (23 participants) - 7 legs – 6 counted
1          Spider (Lorenzo Bressani)                   12 pts              ITA
2          Big Ship Marseille (Maxime Paul)        20 pts              FRA
3          Airis (Sandro Montepusco)                 24 pts              ITA

Mumm 30 (19 participants) - 7 legs – 6 counted
1          Thule (Fausto Rubbini)             10 pts              ITA
2          Enfant Terrible (Gianluigi Serena)         15 pts              ITA
3          Dangerous But Fun (Gianluca Perris)25 pts                 MON

Smeralda 888 (13 participants) - 7 legs – 6 counted
1          Giada (Alderico Paganini)                    16 pts              ITA
2          Smeralda V (Agostino Randazzo)        17 pts              ITA
3          Out of Reach (Guido Miani)                21 pts              MON
* * *
Dragon (26 particpants) – 10 legs – 8 counted to final result
1          Whisper (Michael Cotter)                    26 pts              IRL
2          Gaudium (Ulli Libor)                            27 pts              SUI
3          Justine (Jesper Bendix)            34 pts              DEN               

Laser SB3 (26 participants) - 10 legs – 8 counted
1          Flash (Colin Galavan)              33 pts              IRL
2          Risk Premium (Mark Rushall)  38 pts              GBR
3          Marçon Yachting (Xavier Leclair)        43 pts              FRA (Martigues)

Surprise (37 participants) - 8 legs – 6 counted
1          Sky Sweeper (Olivier Legeret) 19 pts              SUI
2          Fou du Vent (Philippe Durr)                27 pts              SUI
3          St Jacques (Alain Marchand)               29 pts              SUI

J24 (18 participants) - 8 legs – 6 counted
1          Topo Too (Blandine Medecin) 8 pts                MON
2          J Di Quadri (Claudio Buiatti)                12 pts              ITA
3          Quick Step (Rydlöf Hahan)                 16 pts              USA

Star (15 participants - 8 legs – 6 counted
1          Arctur (Vasil Gureyev)             8 pts                UKR
2          Etoile de Mai II (Régis Bérenguier)      14 pts              FRA (Hyères)
3          Dr Evil (Graham Bailey)                       17 pts              GBR

Full results: