The 19th Palermo-Montecarlo race has lived up to its reputation, delivering unforgettable moments and intense competition.
Held from 20th to 22nd August, the Palermo-Montecarlo race was organised by Circolo della Vela Sicilia in collaboration with the Yacht Club de Monaco and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.
Among the highlights was the extraordinary duel between the event’s two favourites: Black Jack 100, a 100-foot Maxi yacht helmed by Yacht Club de Monaco member Tristan Le Brun, and Lucky, another formidable contender. The race began with challenging conditions, as 18-knot winds greeted the competitors at the start line.
Throughout the 500 nautical miles, Black Jack 100 and Lucky were locked in a fierce battle, with neither willing to cede ground. However, it was Black Jack 100 that ultimately prevailed, crossing the finish line first after 1 day, 20 hours, 34 minutes, and 22 seconds—a performance that set a new course record. This achievement comes nine years after the same vessel, under its former name Esimit Europa 2, set a record in 2015 that remained unbeaten until now.
“This was my first regatta with fantastic conditions that ended with a win and a record—what more could I have asked for?” said Remon Vos, the new owner of Black Jack 100.
Helmsman Tristan Le Brun attributed their success to the relentless pressure from their closest rival, Lucky. “Lucky made the race difficult for us,” he explained. “We opted for a strategy to never lose distance from them, to not give them an opportunity to escape. For us, the result is an honour, a challenge, and part of our ongoing quest to break as many records as possible.”
American sailor Bryan Ehrhart, representing Lucky, praised his team’s efforts despite the outcome. “Our sailors did an extraordinary job, and only the lighter wind prevented us from keeping in their wake. Despite that, we’re very satisfied,” he said.
In the end, while Black Jack 100 claimed line honours and the coveted Giuseppe Tasca D’Almerita Trophy, while Lucky took home the win in the Maxi category on corrected time. Around 50 boats from 11 different nations participated in this edition, including the Yacht Club de Monaco’s own Gorilla Gang XL and Foreign Affair, which finished 22nd and 24th, respectively.
As the sailing community celebrates the new record set by Black Jack 100, all eyes now turn to the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona. The prestigious event kicks off with the Preliminary Regatta, where the Yacht Club de Monaco will be well represented by members Sir Jim Ratcliffe of Ineos Britannia and Matteo de Nora of Emirates Team New Zealand.
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Main photo credit: Della Vela Sicilia, Studio Borlenghi