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First Monaco Optimist Team Racing
Swiss are the princes of the Team Racing!
There were no less than 32 starts, which meant the gun being fired 96 times over the weekend of the first ever Monaco Optimist Team Racing. Twelve yacht clubs representing eight nations from all four corners of Europe descended on the Principality to take part in a competition where it is not the individual child that counts but the team. Some had travelled a couple of thousand kilometres to escape the frozen north and enjoy a balmy weekend on the Mediterranean.
“The Team Racing is an original concept with a team of four sailors aged between 12 and 15 years, and requires each member to not only have control of their own boat, but also an indepth understanding of the racing rules in order to gain the upper hand over their opponents. It is an excellent initiative by the Yacht Club de Monaco, as it develops team spirit and teaches the kids how to race at a high level,” explained Alfredo Ricci, International Umpire and Team Race Specialist in the ISAF.
It all came down to the wire in the final at the end of the second day between Saint Petersburg Sea Yacht Club and Société Nautique de Genève (from Geneva). The race was tightly fought right up to the finish line when one could see the leading Russian Optimist relinquish his first position to lend a hand to his team-mates, by blocking their opponents who were then lying in third and fourth place. The sacrifice was not enough however to hold back the Société Nautique de Genève four-some who came out on top in the end. It was a great performance by the Swiss given that the Saint Petersburg team included Daniil Banayan and Sasha Mosckvichev, both gold medal winners from the Team Race 2008 in Berlin. After a near faultless day on the Saturday, the Club Nautique d’Antibes slipped to third place ahead of the
Belgiums’ Go Sailing. The top three teams were delighted to receive clothes from Slam’s Advanced Technology Sportswear line, the same brand provided during the Primo Cup.
Belgiums’ Go Sailing. The top three teams were delighted to receive clothes from Slam’s Advanced Technology Sportswear line, the same brand provided during the Primo Cup.