Racing in sight of the snow

Monaco's one-design Primo Cup kicks off next week

Created in 1985 by the Yacht Club de Monaco, at the instigation of its President HSH Prince Albert II, the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse has become a real institution, an essential rendezvous which traditionally opens the one-design season.

Organised every year during the first two week-ends of February, and sponsored by Slam clothing, this major event will be held from Thursday 31 January to Sunday 3 February and from Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 February 2008. Thousands of amateur and professional sailors, including Sunday racers and high-level competitors, in over 250 boats divided into 13 classes, from 20 nations will descend on Monaco over the two weekends. The 2008 edition will also honour the late Franco Rodino, a sailing photographer and journalist who had covered the Primo since its creation.

With the benefit of particularly clement conditions in the middle of winter, the “Primo” has acquired an excellent reputation amongst sailors, who no longer hesitate to come here from as far away as Russia, Spain, Croatia, the US and even this year from Greece and Japan, to participate in this great classic.

To meet the expectations of this international sailing crowd while ensuring maximum levels of safety on the water, thirteen classes (a minimum of seven competitors to a class) have been set by the Race Committee, chaired by Thierry Leret. They are: Dragon, Laser SB3, Platu 25, J24, Mumm 30, Smeralda 888, First 40.7, Star, Surprise, H22, Melges 24, Swan 42 and Melges 32, with a four-day racing programme being organised for some. The Dragons for example will compete from Thursday 31 January to Sunday 3 February and the Laser SB3 class, which has recently been recognised by the ISAF, from Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 February. The other series will take to the water as usual over three consecutive days.

Once again top level competitors are expected, among them several crew members who had set their sights on the famous silver ewer in the latest America’s Cup. They include the Italian Tommaso Chieffi ( Enfant Terrible, Mumm 30) who helmed the South African challenger Shosholoza, as well as Vincenzo Onorato, head of the Mascalzone Latino syndicate. The Italian businessman has just bought a Smeralda 888 and this will be his first official regatta in this class, whose president is Prince Charles de Bourbon-Siciles.

Also expected are French sailor Dimitri Deruelle ( Marseille, Mumm 30), France’s Match-Racing vice-champion, Lionel Péan, François Brenac, Michael Cotter ( Whisper, Dragon), two times Champion of Ireland and winner of the 2006 and 2007 Primo Cup and two top J24 sailors British Stuart Jardine who is associated with Donald Manasse.

For the boatyards, the Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse also offers an excellent opportunity to celebrate key events, such as the launch of two new classes, Melges 32 and Swan 42, which are coming to race in Monaco waters for the first time.

The Primo Cup also appeals because of the quality of its prize-giving. The top three in each class receive clothing from Slam, while a lucky draw is held for the gold ingot from Credit Suisse (Monaco). “It’s now 20 years that we have been partners for the Primo Cup and we are delighted to have been able to contribute to its development,” comments Alain Ucari, CEO of Credit Suisse (Monaco). “In awarding a gold ingot, our wish was to offer a prize that was accessible to all, and not just reserved for performance. Where did this idea come from to have a draw? It is our way of thanking the competitors for their loyalty to this event.” Also of note is that Hublot, the YCM’s official timekeeper has once again demonstrated its close ties to the world of sailing by awarding two watches.

Pre-programme

1st Weekend - Thursday 31 January to Sunday 3 February
Racing for Dragons, H22, Star, Surprise, Smeralda 888, J/24

2nd Weekend - Thursday 7 February to Sunday 10 February
Racing for Laser SB3s, Melges 24, Platu 25, First 40.7, Mumm 30, Melges 32, Swan 42

For more information see: Yacht Club de Monaco: http://www.ycm.org