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YACHT CLASS n°37 (june-july-august 2024)
Created in 1985, the Primo Cup-Trophée Ubs celebrated its 40th edition this year and is now one of the oldest races in the Mediterranean for one-design yachts.
Written by : Aurore Teodoro – Photos : Studio Borlenghi / YCM
Some stages have greater significance than others. At the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM), the 40th edition of the PrimoCup – UBS Trophy at the YCM was a symbolic one. “It’s always special to turn the pages of a decade”, said Fanny Brochoud, the event’s project manager. “It was also a chance for our team to make a review (see box). We realised that the Primo Cup has attracted over 20 500 sailors over its history.” A track record worthy of this competition, born in 1985, shortly after Prince Albert II became president of the YCM. At that time the “Primo” was known as the “Voiles en Février”. It received its definitive name two years later. Since then, the race has become the season’s kick-off for many one-design sailors, who come to refine their preparation for the forthcoming championships and compete with the elite of their discipline, always present in the Principality. “We are extremely proud. We can count on one hand, no more, the events that have been held in France for more than 40 years”, said Thierry Leret, YCM Race Director and one of the privileged witnesses to this long history. “This event has always highlighted the sport and the crews, but also the new innovations with the creation of new courses, the use of new dynamic buoys… Everyone is also on board at the club and it is a great pride to be part of this family spirit to perpetuate this old lady that is the Primo Cup”.
A loyal group of competitors
This year gathered nearly 90 crews totalling 400 sailors, divided into four classes (J/70, Smeralda 888, Longtze Premier and Cape 31). The boats and sailors listed seemed familiar. The competition has its fair share of loyal followers. Fanny Brouchoud listed a few, such as Roberto Spata, Alain Marchand, Philippe Bouchard and François Brenac, who participated dozens of times. “It really is the reference event for one-design in the Mediterranean”, recalled the project manager. With 23 editions under his belt, Alain Marchand can attest to that. His first participation dates back to the former Quai Antoine I club. “We liked it so much that we decided to come back as often as possible. It’s always been an important place for us to start the season, with quality sailors. We also appreciate the difficult but very interesting water body. And the welcome has always been fantastic”, listed the Swiss sailor, who has long raced in Surprise and sailed on a Smeralda 888 last year. In his home country, Loic Pompée, who was competing for the 20th time, has also seen the competition evolve. “We are all acquainted. But the fun part is that now we’re seeing the kids. My nine-year-old son is competing in J/70 this year”, confirmed the Monegasque sailor, who was sailing a Cape 31 for the first time. Already popular in Anglo-Saxon countries, these 9.80 metre boats are the newcomers for this 40th edition. “There are five of them. Normally, eight is the minimum, but we made an exception because it’s a new class. From next year, it’s up to them to be there”, explained Fanny Brouchoud, noting that the Primo Cup has always been a laboratory for innovations. Etchells, Melges 32, Farr 30, J24, Platu 25, Esse 850… Each year features different series. Some even sailed at sea for the first time at this event. And the future looks bright for the young South African rookie. “The boat is technically challenging for both helmsman and crew. She requires a little expertise, but is well built. I think she has a future”, confirmed Loïc Pompée, seduced by the boat’s performance and characteristics.
A challenging 40th edition
This Primo Cup 2024 proved to be challenging as it coincided with a Mediterranean meteorological episode. “These are winter regattas, that’s part of the game”, reminded the race director. “We had some awful weather on the first day, with relatively significant waves. We tried but the conditions were too bad. It was better to go back to port for safety reasons. On Sunday, there was an orange alert. We waited for the stormy front to pass. Unfortunately, there was a second front right behind and we were unable to race again. But the most important thing to remember are the four regattas on Saturday, including three in somewhat tough conditions.” All the more so because, as the race director recalled, logic was respected: “The winners are always the best”. These four great races saw the victories of Monegasques Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-Spot) in J/70, and of Achille Onorato (Canard à l’Orange) in Smeralda 888. Swiss Thomas Studer (Jerry) won the J/70 Corinthian. In Cape 31, Robin Follin took victory aboard Give me Five, while the Swiss crew of Shensu won for the second time in a row.
At the forefront of innovation
This 40th edition was also the occasion for the world preview of a new one-design, Junda KII, developed at the initiative of YCM member Ludovico Fassitelli, and designed by naval architect Umberto Felci. This new series, designed with durability in mind and for a two-person crew to limit the need for crew and costs, should make her debut at the end of the year during the next Monaco Sportsboat Winter series.
