The record-holding maxi Black Jack 100 seized an early lead as 39 boats set off from the Gulf of Mondello in Sicily on Tuesday 18th August, bound for Monaco on the 500-nautical-mile 21st Palermo-Montecarlo.
The fleet, representing 11 nations, crossed the start line at around 12.30pm in a westerly breeze of 10 to 12 knots. Black Jack 100 was first to round the disengagement mark on the opening leg, edging ahead of the maxi Fiamme Gialle Nice. The start was not without drama, with Italian race reports noting that the J99 Tokio was dismasted after a close-quarters contact with the maxi Intuition.
Organised by Circolo della Vela Sicilia with the Yacht Club de Monaco and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the race counts towards the Italian Offshore Championship and forms the final leg of the International Maxi Association’s Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge.
A record in the frame
All eyes are on Black Jack 100, owned by Remon Vos and skippered by Tristan Le Brun, both YCM members. The 30-metre maxi has three consecutive wins this season and holds the Palermo to Monaco record of 38 hours 53 minutes 13 seconds, set in 2025.
“We prefer not to make predictions: the first part of the race could be marked by light unstable winds, requiring a great deal of focus and concentration. There’s some tough competition out there and the challenge promises to be an interesting one,” said Le Brun.
Its closest rivals for line honours are Furio Benussi’s 86-footer Marta07, which carries a mixed crew from both organising clubs, and Fiamme Gialle Nice, skippered by Francesco Nerone with former America’s Cup helmsman Paolo Cian aboard.
Bonifacio the first test
After the start, the crews face stronger winds heading towards Corsica and the mandatory passage through the Strait of Bonifacio, where the choice of the island’s east or west coast can define a Palermo-Montecarlo.
The first arrivals could come overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, though Thursday morning, 20th August, is more likely. The prize-giving takes place at the Yacht Club de Monaco on Sunday 23rd August.
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Photo credit: Photo credit: Studio Borlenghi