YC Monaco’s Sportsboat Winter Series continues to attract a growing international contingent of teams from all across Europe, with a record 34 J/70s participating in this winter’s series that ends in March. Seven countries are represented: Monaco, Italy, United Kingdom, Russia, Sweden, Germany, and Switzerland. The first weekend of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series got off to a good start in a 6-8 knot easterly breeze. The Race Committee completed two races before a forecasted strong westerly coupled with a big swell caught up with the fleet and all returned safely to harbor to moor up in the YCM Marina at the foot of the Yacht Club de Monaco. Leading after the first day was Monaco Class President Jacopo Carrain (CARPE DIEM) and German skipper Micki Liebl on MYC 1 tied on points. For the second day of racing, a ferocious NNW breeze greeted the contestants and challenged them to demonstrate their best skills at navigating the enormous 3-5 metre breaking waves. The YCM’s PRO knew how to manage the fleet and managed to set a course for the massive wind shifts and gusts coming off the mountains. However, with increasingly stronger gusts up to 30 knots, a second race could not be held safely and ensure a level playing field for all competitors. Having already won the first race, Sukhotin’s JALAPENO won their second race and led the provisional overall ranking. Sunday was much calmer, but tactically more difficult. Five races were completed for a total of eight races. The Swiss team on APROTEC led by skipper Mathieu Cadei were the most consistent, always being in the top ten, and won with 24 points, ahead of German Micki Liebl (MYC 1). Congratulations on a fine performance by Monegasque skipper Cesare Gabasio sailing TINN 70 who completed the podium. For the next weekend of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, the J/70 fleet again turned out in force but the lack of wind permitted just three races to be sailed for the weekend. As a result, the winners were determined on a tie-breaker sitting on 17 points each. Taking that tie-breaker with a 3-3-11 scoreline was Sweden’s Ingemar Sundstedt on ROCAD RACING, settling for second place was Monaco’s Irina Travadel sailing with her crew on LIBECCIO with a 10-4-3 record. Third for the weekend was the German BREZE team led by Oliver Oczycz. Rounding out the top five were Italy’s Mario Beraha on SASHA GREY in fourth and the German crew on UNITED DOMAINS skippered by Julian Autenrieth. For more YC Monaco J/70 Winter Sportsboat Series sailing information, visit http://www.yacht-club-monaco.mc/en/home-en/.