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10:00 PM Thu 12 Feb 2009 GMT
Following a first part dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of the Dragon class, it is a very high level of competitors that are expected on the second weekend of the 25th Primo Cup - Troph?e Credit Suisse, which opens the international monohull regatta.
Today, in 4 gale south westerly winds around thirty boats amongst seven new series - Laser SB3s, J/24s, Mumm30s, Melges30s, Platu25s, Longtze Premiers and a display from the GP42s - have taken part to two training races to finalise details as some of them were at sea for the first time yet this season and for others a first hands-on experience of their boats.
The official start will be given tomorrow, Friday 13 February at 10.00am and the races will end on Sunday 15th February with prize giving where the first three crews of each series will be awarded individual Slam clothing of the Advanced Technology Sportswear line.
The prize diversity, notably with a Hublot Chronograph, the Yacht Club de France boom cap as well as a gold bar, estimated at more than 2,000 Euros, will be put at stake, by the Credit Suisse (Monaco), in the traditional draw that constitutes this major Monegasque event.
The Mumm 30s: a serious contender!
One of the most professional series at the Primo. 'Olympic is here to win!' said Etienne David this morning, skipper of Ville de Gen?ve and winner of the Surprise class in the first weekend. Indeed, Eri, leader the banking software package leader has chosen the experienced and talented Fabien Henri to helm its boat Olympic. Winner at this same race two years ago, under the COYCH colours, the Hyeres born navigator took the second position last year.
Nevertheless, he will have some strong contenders racing against Courrier Dunkerque, the winner of the sailing Tour de France, which is not here to be an extra.
'It's my first Primo Cup! Considering the level of competitors we wanted to include this regatta in our opening season program', said Daniel Souben, the skipper, assisted by a well experienced crew on this type of boat. Also to be noted is the presence of two Russian teams who will take part to the sailing Tour de France in 2009.
A new comer in this serie, the Monaco based Single Buoy Moorings who has chartered for the occasion one of these vessels to prepare itself for the corporate regattas, including the 2010 sailing Tour de France.
Laser SB3s: the dinghy spirit
Designed by Tony Castro and launched in 2002, the Laser SB3s is racing for the third consecutive year at the Primo Cup. Lead by a maximum of 4 crew members whose total weigh should not exceed 270 kg, the SB3 boat is unique because she does allow hiking, behaves like a sailing dinghy until it capsizes. Compulsory dry suites! A dozen boats are expected, notably with a new Monaco based team, put together for the occasion with the young sailor Alexia Barrier, who is preparing a solitary World Tour, Lionel P?an and Brice Quillien who quite simply won the training regatta under the brand new Radio Monaco, a performance to keep an eye on.
The highly canvassed Melges 32
Presented last year for the first time at the Primo Cup, the Melges 32 is the most spoken about boats of all. Highly canvassed downwind, manoeuvres become quite spectacular and delicate for the most experienced of all sailors. It is not by chance if this class holds the best sports sailors, such as Vincenzo Onorato, head of Mascalzone Latino for the 32nd America's Cup Challenge. Ten crew members aren't too few to master this powerful monohull.
J/24: the Monaco team head class
The J/24 fleet, emblem of the YCM for the last 30 years, continues after all this time to train adults, from cruising to regattas, and introduces a generous amount of crew members to the competition skills who will later on go onto Match Racing, Smeralda 888s, Mumm30s and Maxis or monotypes at higher skill level. Once again, this year, we should find in the first positions, if not on the podium, teams defending Monaco colours; although the games aren't set, considering the presence of the best Italian crews in the series together with Marianne Stroke, President of the J/24 class in Sweden, who each year has her place on the Primo's podium and who is aiming at being on the top spot this time.
Platu 25: the most international class
Designed by Farr Yacht Design, this racing boat has been conceived to race at day time and teach the beginners the ropes of regattas. Having turned a blind eye to the details of the cabin of an average monotype, this fast racer is meant to race by day. Acknowledged by the ISAF since 2005 and widely distributed in Europe, numerous are the great champions who have started on these great dynamic yachts, to name a few the Greek Olympic Champion Katerina Kaloudi, helming Duende.
Longtze Premier: the monotype made in China
It is also a first race of the season and one out of five regattas on the European Tour for the 'Son of the Dragon'. This new sport boat, a Steve Thomson design from the New Zealand born architect, has been developed by the America's Cup Challenge team.
Without compromising comfort low draught makes it as unstable as it can be fast, as soon as 300kg of ballast will coincide with gusts of wind. Before the wind, it speeds up thanks to its light hull propelled by a powerful canvassing surface of a total 92.5 m? for a 6.84 m boat.
Thirteen boats are expected, with notably the presence of various nautical personalities, amongst who one will find Figaro racers Erwan Tabarly, Marc Emig, Nicolas B?ranger, two-time winner of the Nice-Cap Istanbul, the Olympic Medallist Guillaume Florent, Bronze Medallist in Finn class in Quindao as well as Pierre Mas and Luc Gellusseau, initiators of the last three French and Chinese teams of the America's Cup.
PRE-PROGRAMME (pending modifications)
Friday 13 February
10.00am - First race for: Laser SB3, Melges 32, Mumm 30, J/24, Platu 25, Longtze Premier classes and a display by GP 42s.
5.30pm - Welcome Cocktail (by invitation only)
Saturday 14 February
10.00am - First race for: Laser SB3, Melges 32, Mumm 30, J/24, Platu 25, Longtze Premier classes and a display by GP 42s
6.30pm - ERI Pasta Party: Crew Party (by invitation only)
Sunday 15 February
10.00am - First race for: Laser SB3, Melges 32, Mumm 30, J/24, Platu 25, Longtze Premier classes and a display by GP 42s.
5.30pm - Prize-giving (by invitation only)
by Isabelle Andrieux
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Lord Howe Island Windy Point, NSW
