PRIMO CUP DAY 1 & 2 - ITALIAN ATTACK!

From Christel Durand in Monaco - A first day without sailing at the Primo Cup, in Monaco, since there was no wind. But the second day was the right one and enabled the 32 crews (35 registrated) from 5 nations to compete in 4 races with all the energy of a season start. If Nicolas Pietra wins the first and the third races, with his Hyères crew Flordirect, the day remains Italian : Joe Fly wins the second race and above all Ale Ali, is the winner of the fourth one, leading the general ranking, thanks to a regular performance.

Like every year, the Primo Cup in Monaco launches the melges24 season. After a first week-end (February 4-5-6) dedicated to the J24, Surprise, Dragon, Farr 40, Star and Beneteau 25, the second week-end (February 11-12-13) is reserved to the Swan 45, Mumm 30, Smeralda 888, First Class 7.50 and Melges24. With 35 boats registrated, from 5 European countries, the Melges Class shows once more its dynamism and the mobilisation of its members for important events.

After a first racing day spent at the harbour, the crews welcomed with pleasure the sun and a 220° direction wind for the second day. Surprisingly for the bay of Monaco, the three first races remained very open with the usual « compulsory side ». The first race, with a wind of 5 to 8 knots is won by Nicolas Pietra and his crew Flordirect, a good specialist of the Monaco bay. Thanks to a smart and dary action at the end of the race, the hyères skipper takes the vistory to the sofar 3 leaders of the race, Microsphère (Fabien Henry and Benjamin Cohen), the Italian Joe Fly and the Toison Rouge crew. The Jeune Equipage de la Ville de St-Tropez takes the fifth position.

The second race takes place in a stronger wind and sees the « triumph » of the Italians, whose class is confirming to be the most dynamic in Europe. First Joe Fly, second Ale Ali, in front of Banca BSI and Nautica, the Microsphère team taking the fifth position behind the Italian block.

The third race is launched in the same conditions as the first one. Flordirect takes the advantage and will not give way to anyone until his victory. In front of Docteur Jgaulo, Ale Ali, Nova and Banca BSI.

The race committee, managed by Thierry Leret, perfect expert of the bay and willing to optimize the racing time and quality, reduced the fourth race, the wind falling progressively and imposing hence « the right side » to the crews. Ale Ali wins this last race, with Naftalina behind, the hyères crew Eurovoiles, and the Italian crews of Magica and Nautica.

So a good racing day for the crews, which show this year again numerous talented newcomers among their ranks, motivated by the perspective of the 2006 Melges24 World Championship that will take place in Hyères-France.

General ranking after 4 races

Ale Ali / Microsphère / Nautica / Banca BSI Flordirect / Eurovoiles / Docteur Jgaulo / Joe Fly