G-SPOT crowned J/70 Primo Cup - Trophee UBS Champion

J/70 Primo Cup - Trophee UBS Championship © Yacht Club de Monaco / Studio Borlenghi

The 41st Primo Cup-Trophée UBS was a memorable one for sailors and spectators.

Sunshine and a brisk 10-15 knot easterly throwing up a complex chop made for a demanding weekend of sailing, requiring finesse and total control at the helm. An ideal setting for the competition amongst forty-two teams!

Day 1

In the J/70 class, Denis Infante's EURO VOILE set out with conviction, more than living up to their expectations, as the crew from Hyères, France led after three races. YC Monaco's Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio's G-SPOT was hot on their heels in second by one point, followed by the Swiss on Thomas Studer's JERRY.

Day 2

Big maneuvers were under way when the regatta reached its climax on the second day. While some leaders were holding their own, others were seeing their rivals closing in. There was no room for error. Conditions were challenging, with a medium/ choppy sea at times, but the sailors put on a top-flight spectacle. For the J/70s it was also the final stage of their 2024/2025 Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series of monthly regattas from November 2024 to March 2025.

Women sailors flex their muscles

With March 8th being International Women's Day, the ladies proved they were up to the mark with their male counterparts, a strong symbol of the move towards greater diversity in sailing. YC Monaco sailor and double Olympic medallist in 470 (London and Rio) Saskia Clark stressed the importance of this evolution: "For sure our sport has been very male-dominated, but we've had some amazing initiatives in the last few years to encourage women to get out there. We can and must continue to push the level up".

J/70 class neck and neck

The flagship fleet of the Primo Cup-Trophée UBS, the J/70s did not disappoint. The duel at the top of the leaderboard continued with G-SPOT in first followed by Infante's EURO VOILES. The Swiss on Simon Kaiser's MARIE were in third position. No doubt, it was going to be a battle on the final day to decide the podium.

Day 3

After three days of racing, Monaco's legendary one-design regatta put on a high-level spectacle in technically challenging conditions. In a demanding stiff easterly breeze, every team took their chances and went all out for victory. The favorites responded well to the challenge, but there were a few surprises on the podiums.

Since its launch in 1985 by YC Monaco and President HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco (sailed in a fleet of J/24s, no less), the regatta has established itself as an indispensable regatta on the international race calendar. Organized in collaboration with UBS, with the support of Monaco City Hall, the event also enjoys the support of North Sails.

"This is the first major one-design event of the year in Europe. With over 40 years of experience, we know what we're doing, which contributes to the event's success. Organizing international regattas is a tradition in Monaco: 40 years ago no one imagined it would become so international and so competitive," says YC Monaco General Secretary- Bernard d'Alessandri.

J/70 Class: G-SPOT sweeps the board

A popular fleet at the Primo Cup-UBS Trophy, the J/70s did not disappoint. Lapigio's G-SPOT from YC Monaco won after a series of races controlled from start to finish. He also won the coveted Perpetual Trophy awarded to the winner of the largest class. Denis Infante's EURO VOILES fought hard but did not manage to close the gap with the Monegasques. The Swiss on AIOLA came 3rd.

Corinthians Division

In the Corinthian category, EURO VOILES retained their lead ahead of AILOA and Emmanuel Muller's JALLA JALLA which rounded out the podium in third place.

Act IV of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series

After four thrilling Acts, Monegasque Stefano Roberti's PICCININA set the pace from start to finish to win the Monaco Championship ahead of EURO VOILES. Last year's winner, Lapigio's G-SPOT, completed the podium.

In the Corinthian category, EURO VOILES beat Matteo Scandolera's IRRUENZA from YCM and the Swiss on RHUBARBE. Launched in 2013, the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series is a benchmark for the J/70 class, attracting international teams to come and train in ideal conditions during winter.

For more Primo Cup- Trophee UBS sailing information, visit here.