The curtain has fallen on the 2016/2017 Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series organized from October to March by the Yacht Club de Monaco in collaboration with clothing supplier SLAM. The Monegasque race area lit up for the final Act which attracted 250 sailors on 70 boats. Various shades of blue were to be observed throughout the event as sun, spray and a steady westerly provided favorable conditions for a superb ending. In the J/70 fleet, Ludovico Fassitelli was at the top of his game. With a total of 69 international teams competing this winter, the Principality has become a mecca for the J/70 Class. A highly-motivated Monaco J/70 Class Association presided by Michel Boussard with 17 boats has proved a great asset in this fast-expanding fleet. Barely a year since he first sailed a J/70, the Yacht Club de Monaco’s Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda-Banca del Sempione) proved he has the golden touch. Having started in fourth at the end of the first day, he went home with the Act 5 trophy in his pocket after three days and five races, two of which he won. The Monegasques managed to upset the order, overtaking Englishman Charles Thompson (Brutus) who was second. Despite some tightly-fought duels on the downwind legs and round the marks, the Swiss on Jurmo had to be content with third. The ladies were not to be outdone, with Valeriya Kovalenko (Arttube) topping the annual overall ranking for the season ahead of the Brazilians on Manda Chuva. Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda) completed the podium in third. “I am so happy with what has been accomplished with my crew. We learn something new at every regatta and continue to improve. Here’s to the next meeting.” For complete results, visit www.ycm.org.
Overall ranking for Act V of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series J/70 (after 5 races):
1st: Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda), MON, 25 points
2nd: Charles Thompson (Brutus), GBR, 35 points
3rd: Stefan Seger (Jurmo), SUI, 36 points
Final overall ranking for the 2016/2017 Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series season J/70 (after 21 races):
1st: Valeriya Kovalenko (Arttube), RUS, 107 points
2nd: Mario Garcia (Manda Chuva), BRA, 110 points
3rd: Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda), MON, 113 points