Like one year ago, Yacht Club Monaco hosted the opening event of the Alcatel J/70 Cup which took place over the last weekend. The 37 boats from seven countries on the start line made that first event of the series a great success, despite the decidedly damp conditions. Nonetheless, the quality of racing was red hot featuring a large and competitive fleet gathering once again in the glamorous waters off Monaco. Four out of six scheduled races were completed under light and unstable wind which kept the tacticians on their toes for the entire weekend. The wind speed rarely exceeded 10 knots. While the racing was not physically taxing, shifting breeze was a real test of tactical awareness. The reigning Italian National Champion Franco Solerio racing L’elagain has won the first event of the Alcatel J/70 Cup staking his claim on the title, whereas the Corinthian team Mummy One owned by Alessio Querin grabbed second place. The podium was completed by Ludovico Fassitelli’s Junda (Yacht Club de Monaco). Alessandro Zampori’s Magie finished fourth. Tied with equal points respectively in fifth and sixth position were Carlo Alberini’s Calvi Network and the British team led by Charles Thomson on Brutus. Following the footsteps of the 2015 event, the Italian J/70 Class Association will count on a highly international fleet for the entire racing season. And whereas several new teams have joined the Italian and European J/70s, all top teams of the 2015 Alcatel J/70 Cup—both in overall and Corinthian divisions –started their 2016 season in Monaco to collect the points through the series consisting of the five events altogether. After Monaco, the Alcatel J/70 Cup series will lead to Sanremo (on May 7-8), to Porto Cervo (on June 3-5), to Malcesine (on July 23-24). The series will conclude with the J/70 Eurocup (Riva del Garda, September 9-11). Read for more about the Alcatel J/70 Cup at www.j70.it.