J/70: European Match Race Tour
M32 Mediterranean Series: Act 1
(7-9 April 2017)
After an incredibly busy winter of regattas, there’s no let up at the Yacht Club de Monaco which hosts two regattas that have never been organised before in the Principality, starting today: J/70 European Match Race Tour and Act 1 of the M32 Mediterranean Series.
J/70: return of the Match Race format to the Principality
In this year of the America’s Cup, the Match Race format is back at the Yacht Club de Monaco, a format in the form of duels that test the crews’ tactical skills to the limit.
So, for the first time, the YCM is organising a stage of the European Match Race circuit on J/70s made available by the Club. A reminder that with 17 boats flying the flag in the Monaco J/70 Class Association, the Principality has one of the most active and largest fleets in Europe.
Among 8 European teams this weekend, two are representing Monaco: Pierrik Devic associated with Max Bulley and Philippe Buchard alongside François Brenac.
A two-time French Match Racing Champion, the experience of François Brenac will be key but they face stiff competition against an international field, notably the Austrian team led by Max Trippolt, four-time Austrian champion in this discipline.
M32 Mediterranean circuit: countdown to a new season
Adding to the spectacle on the water, a fleet of seven M32s will be competing in Act 1 of their Mediterranean circuit after a busy winter season that included several appearances in the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series. These 9.68m all-carbon one-design catamarans are designed to engage the public in an intense format that is easy to follow with several back-to-back races of 15 minutes each day. The public can watch the show from the main harbour wall (depending on weather conditions).
Among the favourites is the YCM’s own Guido Miani (Team Neverland), sailing on home waters, who finished 2nd in the 2016/2017 Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series season after 25 races. He will be firing on all cylinders to set the pace at this first stage of the M32 Mediterranean Series.
Rendezvous at 11.00am on Friday to watch the kick-off!
Provisional programme (subject to change)
European Match Race Tour
Friday 7 th April Saturday 8 th April Sunday 9 th April After racing: Prize-giving |
M32 Mediterranean Series
Friday 7th April Saturday 8th April Sunday 9th April After racing: Prize-giving |
Source: Yacht Club de Monaco