NEWS FROM THE TWINNED CLUBS (N°29)

Yacht Class n°29 (june-july-august 2022)

In each issue, discover the latest news of all the yacht clubs around the world twinned with the Monegasque club.

YACHT CLUB COSTA SMERALDA (YCCS)

A new race towards Monaco

This new event is well on its way to becoming a permanent fixture on the agenda of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM). These two institutions, in partnership with the International Maxi Association, are launching this year a brand-new event: the Porto Cervo – Monaco IMA 24h Challenge. This competition, open to all participants in the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup that will take place at the YCCS from September 4th to 10th, will allow boat owners and their crews to return their boats back to the European mainland during a unique challenge that expect them to reach Monaco in less than 24 hours. After a departure from Porto Cervo at 11am on Sunday 11th September, the competitors, free to choose their own route and strategy, will have to opt for either the Straits of Bonifacio and sailing up the western side of Corsica, for a distance of around 200 miles, or a longer route along the eastern side of the island. For those Maxis finishing before 11am on Monday 12 September, their time will be recorded as usual, while those who will not reach the Principality within the time limit will have their have their distance to the finish calculated. IRC TCCs will then be applied to determine a winner using time on distance scoring. There will be a prize-giving ceremony at the YCM on Monday September 12th at 19:00, before some of the boats set sail again for the Voiles de Saint-Tropez (September 25th to October 8th).

The sporting calendar presented in Milan

This is the big event of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. Every year in spring, during a major event, the Sardinian club presents its calendar for the coming season in front of an audience of members, partners, journalists and friends. And this year again, the calendar promises to be full of beautiful encounters, sporting events and on land gatherings with, as a central theme, the Charta Smeralda, the code of ethics of the One Ocean Foundation for the safeguard of the sea. After the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta, which kicked off the sporting season at the end of May, and the Southern Wind Trophy early June, the club will host a brand-new shipyard regatta, with the first edition of the Italia Yachts Sailing Week (June 15-18). The focus will then turn to a key international event from 22 to 30 June, as the ORC World Championship (Offshore Racing Congress) comes to Porto Cervo for the first time. More than 70 boats have already registered and the fleet will be divided into three classes, based on the size and performance characteristics of the boats, with the winner of each class awarded the title of ORC World Champion. The summer will be just as busy with the Coppa Europa Smeralda (8-10 July), YCCS Members’ Championship (6-7 August), Trofeo Formenton (20 August) and the Palermo-Porto Cervo-Monte Carlo (19-24 August). In September, the YCCS most iconic regatta, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, will be back from 4-10 September. This 32nd edition is expected to feature, as always, internationally acclaimed sailors and an impressive fleet showcasing the cutting edge of yacht design and nautical architecture. This prestigious competition will be followed by the first IMA 24-Hour Challenge Porto Cervo-Monaco (see p.161), and then the Rolex Swan Cup, organised in collaboration with Nautor’s Swan. Back after a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic, this event will welcome for the first time, alongside six other classes from the famous Italian shipyard, the Clubswan 36. Closing the YCCS sporting season is the traditional Vela & Golf event, where teams face each other first on the green of the Pevero Golf Club, and then on the waters of Porto Cervo aboard the Club’s J/70 fleet. Note that, this year, the YCCS will be celebrating some of the most important anniversaries in its history, including the 60th anniversary of its creation and the 40th anniversary of the launch of the 12-metre Azzura for the America’s Cup challenge in 1983. The press conference was also an opportunity to present the next phase of the Young Azzurra project. Its scope has been expanded and the YCCS now undertakes to support up to a maximum of four young sailing talents, for the 2021/2024 Olympic period, with a particular focus on Sardinian athletes who aim to participate in national, European and World Championships, and in the Olympic Games.

YACHT CLUB PUNTA DEL ESTE (YCPE)

Clipper Race: Punta del Este arrives third to Seattle

After being interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the biennial Clipper Round the World Race got back on track in March. And among the eleven teams taking part in this round-the-world amateur race, Yacht Club Punta del Este made a successful return to the sea, finishing third in the 6th leg between the Philippines and North America, after a real marathon – physical, mental and emotional – of 6 100 nautical miles across the North Pacific. With two YCPE members on board, Fernando Antía (Additionally Qualified Person) and Jerónimo Lestido (crew), Sv. Punta del Este faced 35 complicated days at sea, with immensely challenging conditions. The teams first faced the intense, windless heat of the tropics. This was followed by a brutal upwind battle, where the yachts beat into strong headwinds, and then downwind, with exciting and huge conditions… Finally, after battling a wind hole in the final stretch, the Uruguayan boat crossed the finish line in third place, consolidating its third place overall! Enough to be full of confidence before the 7th leg – Seattle-Panama-Bermuda – that started on April 30th.via le Panama. 

REAL CLUB NAUTICO BARCELONA (RCNB)

“Tenaz” wins the second act of Barcelona J70 Spring Regatta 2022

Late April, the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona organised the second act of its Barcelona J70 Spring Regatta. A great three-day event during which five races were completed: three on Friday, with a 15-knot south-southwest wind, two on Sunday, in very different conditions, with light winds while the Saturday regattas had to be cancelled due to bad weather conditions. At the end of this hard-fought competition, three RCNB members shared the podium:  “Tenaz”, followed by “Autolica Tropicfeel” and “Noticia”. Before the final act of the Barcelona J70 Spring Regatta that was held from May 13th to 15th, “Bodega Can Marlès” (CN Vilanova) was leading the provisional general ranking with 29 points. She was followed by “Tenaz” (31 points) and “Autolica Tropicfeel” (35 points). It is worth noting that this final act coincided with the J70 Championship of Catalonia and was a prelude to the 49th Conde de Godó Sailing Trophy, which took place at the end of May. Due to the dates of our publication, we were not able to report on these competitions, but we will do so in our next issue.

SOCIÉTÉ NAUTIQUE DE GENÈVE (SNG)

The Psaros 33 in Monaco

In October 2022, the Yacht Club de Monaco will host the Société Nautique de Genève’s annual sea regattas of the Psaros 33, one of the jewels of the family shipyard Psaros located in Geneva. Since its creation in 1976 by Jean Psarofaghis, nearly 200 racing boats have left the Swiss workshops:  classic sailboats such as 5m5JI, 6mJI, Toucans… A fine navigator, Jean Psarofaghis has also used his engineering and shipbuilding skills to develop high-tech racing yachts, such as the Psaros 40, a swing keel 40-foot weighing less than 3 tons that can welcome up to eight crew members, the flying multihull Syz Foiler (35 feet) or more recently the LP820. In 2011, Jean Psarofaghis decided to launch a 33-feet racing boat, whose major qualities, in addition to its swing keel, for performance, is to be easily maneuverable, hence to remain accessible to amateur sailors as well as to small crews. That’s how the Psaros 33 was born. This ten-metre-long powerful carbon sailboat, with modern and racy lines, is propelled by an upwind sail area of 87.1 m2, and a 188.6m2 one downwind. She was quickly successful. The members of the SNG made it their Gentleman Class, and a championship is organized every year on Lake Geneva. A unit to discover in October on the Monegasque waterbody.

KIELER YACHT CLUB (KYC)

Dr. Hauke Berndt, a new chairman for the club

The Kieler Yacht Club has a new chairman! Last March, Dr. Hauke Berndt succeeded to Dr. Carsten Krage (on the right), who did not run again after seven years at the helm of the German club. “Volunteering thrives on change and it’s a good time to pass on the responsibility for the fate of the KYC”, he explained before adding, “It brought me a lot of joy to lead the KYC as chairman for seven years. They were eventful and challenging years, filled with many great events and very nice experiences. In a big team we have achieved a lot for the KYC and the sport of sailing.” His successor is no stranger to the club. He started sailing as a youngster at the Kiel-based club, on the Baltic Sea, which is one of the oldest institutions in Germany. “I feel very connected to the Kieler Yacht Club. When I was a few months old, my parents took me sailing. My youth in the yacht school shaped me. I owe this time not only unique childhood memories, but also friendships that last to this day”, revealed the new chairman, who represented the youth department on the board between 1994 and 2000. Hauke Berndt, who is currently a managing partner of an international software company and has a degree in climate modelling from the Institute of Oceanography in Kiel, has never left the club. He has belonged to the advisory board for many years and he still sails with two former yachting students in a community of owners a First 40.7, which has its berth in Düsternbrook, in visibility of the clubhouse. And it is with great honor that this sailing enthusiast has accepted his new role: “The office of chairman of this unique club fills me with great humility and respect. At the same time, I am very grateful for all the voluntary members and employees, whose commitment makes the wide range of our club primarily possible. I am looking forward to working on the board and the tasks ahead of me!”

ROYAL CORK YACHT CLUB (RCYC)

The Volvo Cork Week and its Beaufort Cup are back

The Royal Cork Yacht Club should have celebrated its tercentenary in style in 2020, during the Cork Week. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic had decided otherwise. So, this year, for the return of this biennial event, created in 1978, the Irish club will put on a great spread. From July 10th to 15th, this sailing festival will offer a unique programme to the 300 boats and thousands of sailors expected from the all over the world, with numerous onshore events and exceptional regattas for the many classes present: SB20 Grand Slam, 1720 Europeans, Dragon South Coasts, IRC, ICRA and for the very first-time classic boats. Note that, since 2016, this event also welcomes the Beaufort Cup. Open to amateur sailors, this competition pitches teams that have at least half the crew from Service or Voluntary Organisations. Its programme starts with a 24-hour race around the famous Fastnet Lighthouse, which starts and finishes in Cork Harbour. The inshore race series, set on stunning coastal courses, will be held from 13th to 15th July in conjunction with Volvo Cork Week. Beaufort Cup teams will race under the IRC time correction rule, providing a level playing field to boats of different sizes and speeds. The overall winner will be presented with the Beaufort Cup at the Grand Prize Giving and will also be in contention to be named Volvo Cork Week 2020 ‘Boat Of The Week’. In addition, €10,000 will be donated to the chosen charity of the winning team.

CLUBE NAVAL DE CASCAIS (CNC)

A busy programme for the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy

In its two years of existence, the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy has grown in size, with more than 100 boats expected this year. And for its third edition, which will take place from July 2nd to 10th in the Cascais Bay, sailing enthusiasts and sports lovers will enjoy many new features and the most complete programme ever, always with a focus on sustainability. This 2022 edition will have three main strands to set the pace: sport, respect for the environment and sustainability, and business and social, also known as corporate. In the sports chapter, this will be a true sailing festival, which will offer from nautical baptisms for beginners to ocean racing for the most experienced sailors in the world. Like the Atlantic Challenge, an offshore endurance regatta of no less than 1 000 nautical miles, on a course that will start from Cascais on Sunday, July 3rd, pass by the island of Porto Santo, and return to Cascais. Open to the IMOCA 60, Multihull, IRC, ORC and VO65 classes, this race will reward its winner with the perpetual Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy. This event will also host the Youth Challenge, trophy dedicated to the youngest, which consists in a set of several inshore Optimist regattas, and the Cascais Bay Challenge, which will offer inshore and coastal races for classes 6m Classic, 6m Open, APIC, NHC, ORC A, ORC B and SB20. Finally, there will also be the Discovery Challenge, the most emblematic race of the program, in which the largest sailboats in the world will be challenged from Cascais to discover the Portuguese sea through several coastal races. The Mirpuri Foundation’s Sailing Trophy also aims to convey the message that “the future of the oceans is in our hands”. This plastic-free event, with careful management of all waste generated, will also include initiatives such as the Ocean Award (recognises and values excellence in the scientific community, rewarding monetarily the most innovative projects with a positive impact on ocean health) and The Good Bottle (the first bottle 100% compostable and of fast degradation).

CNC sailors excel at the 33th Junior and Absolute Portuguese Championship

Early April, the CNC hosted the XXXIIIrd Junior and Absolute Portuguese Championship. On the menu, four days of competition attended by 158 participants, representing 28 Portuguese Clubs, and distributed in 133 boats and five Classes: Hansa 303, 420, Ilca 6, Ilca 4 and IQFoil. In terms of results, for the club members, let’s note Pedro Reis’s 2nd place (Hansa 303), the first place of Francisco Uva Sancho / José Vozone & Katharina Leite / Mafalda Cruz (Female) in the 420 Junior Portuguese Championship. Finally, Boudie Van Dishoeck won the Ilca 4 category.

Xcellent wins the 3rd SB20 WINTER SERIES

CNC’s 3rd SB20 Winter Series ended with success at the end of March with the fifth and final event of the championship. After a fourth round that allowed three races to be held despite the cancellation of one day due to rough conditions, this time a light wind awaited the twenty-three boats. Fortunately, this did not prevent the competitors from taking part in five great races. Already the overall leader before the fifth race, John Pollard’s “Xcellent”, with Jack Wetherell and Henry Wetherell, won the 3rd Winter Series, ahead of two CNC boats: “AP Hotels”, owned by José Paulo Ramada, and “Solyd Sailling Team”, owned by Vasco Serpa.

IATE CLUB DE RIO DE JANEIRO (ICRJ)

The ICRJ celebrates its 102nd anniversary

The Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro recently celebrated its 102nd anniversary. After months marked by the pandemic, time had come to celebrate at this open-air event that brought together over 600 people, with musical attractions and fireworks. At the end of the party, a surprise fireworks display followed the speech by Commodore Vicente Arruda, who took the opportunity to introduce the newly elected board to the public.

A new “comodoria” in charge for 2022/24

There has been a change at the head of the ICRJ. José Roberto Braile, “Pre Braile” (Commodore), Roberto Rapoport (vice-commodore) and Washington Bianchi (counter-commodore) have been, since April 1st, in charge of the institution for the period 2022/2024. Before handing over the helm to Pre Braile (right of the opposite picture), his predecessor Vicente Arruda (left), said goodbye to the position he held for 4 years: “Managing the ICRJ has certainly been one of the biggest, if not the biggest, challenge of my life. It is not easy to compose with people, material resources, planning, everything that is relevant for a huge century-old institution like ICRJ, without neglecting the well-being of the associates, their dependants and their guests”. Pre Braile shares with the ICRJ sixty-four years of history and titles in sailing, fishing and has held several positions of trust in the governing bodies of the club, in addition to achieve relevant achievements for the Brazilian nautical sector

Written by Aurore Teodoro