Palermo-Montecarlo celebrates 20th anniversary with prestigious international line-up
The Palermo-Montecarlo race was launched on Tuesday 19 August © Circolo Della Vela Sicilia l Studio Borlenghi
The legendary Mediterranean regatta is celebrating its twentieth anniversary as 45 yachts of seven different nationalities set off from the Gulf of Mondello on Tuesday.
Two decades after its creation, the Palermo-Montecarlo, organised by the Circolo della Vela Sicilia in collaboration with the Yacht Club de Monaco and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, is still one of Mediterranean yachting’s most popular events. Forty-five crews cast off from Palermo at midday on Tuesday 19 August, headed for the Principality in a 500 nautical mile race, under the watchful eye of the Palinuro, the Italian Navy’s training ship.
An exciting Palermo-Montecarlo with Black Jack 100 in the spotlight
Remon Vos’ Maxi Black Jack 100, a Monaco Yacht Club member, is the clear favourite. Helmed by Tristan Le Brun, the giant of the seas will be attempting to defend its record of 44 hours, 34 and 14 seconds, set last year. The windy forecast suggests that the event could be a fast one.
Monaco has four other representatives: Eugene Van Koppen’s Bavaria 44 Shooting Star, Andrea Statari’s Comet 48′ Gorilla Gang XL, Éric Müller’s J99 K’Mena and Thierry Leret’s Grand Soleil 48 Joy, with four youngsters from the Sports Section on board.
The Italian fleet hot on their helms
The Monegasques face stiff competition. Vincent Beuvry’s Mini Maxi Intuition, Oliver Kobale’s VO65 Sisi and Bernard Arkas’s TP52 Blue Moon Arkas promise to make a strong showing. The Italian delegation is counting on Matteo Uliassi’s Falcon hydrofoil catamaran and several other experienced boats to thwart Monegasque ambitions in their territorial waters.
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A digital dimension to make regattas more accessible
The anniversary edition is also breaking new ground by going online. At the same time as the real race, 2,700 virtual skippers are competing on the Virtual Regatta platform, transforming the maritime adventure into a major participative event. In addition to the overall podium, an Interclub Challenge will pit members of the Yacht Club de Monaco against the Circolo della Vela Sicilia, while Under 18 sailors will also have their own ranking.