Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio has won the Primo Cup-UBS Trophy for the third consecutive year, taking his overall tally to four victories and setting a new record for the event. Sailing G-Spot for Yacht Club de Monaco, he topped the J/70 fleet at the 42nd edition of the regatta, which concluded on Sunday after three days of racing in shifting conditions off Monaco.
More than 300 sailors from ten nations competed across three one-design classes — J/70, Smeralda 888 and Longtze Premier — with a Cape 31 also present for a demonstration. Organised by Yacht Club de Monaco in collaboration with UBS, with support from Monaco City Hall and North Sails, the event also served as the fourth and final act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series.
J/70: a fourth title for G-Spot
With more than 40 boats on the start line, the J/70 fleet formed the competitive core of the regatta. After seven races, G-Spot finished ahead of Euro Voiles of France and the Swiss crew on Situationship. “The level was very high, with at least 20 boats capable of competing at the front,” said Serena di Lapigio. “We are very proud to have won the Primo Cup for a fourth time.”
In the Corinthian category, Euro Voiles took the Monaco City Hall Special Prize. Skipper Louis Barbet credited the venue’s demanding conditions as part of the appeal. “The conditions are often challenging which makes for an interesting regatta,” he said. Swedish crew Magnus Ullman on El Otro, competing in their second season, echoed that sentiment. “The level is very high and for us it’s a great opportunity to learn by observing the top teams.”
Longtze Premier: Shensu sweep all six races
The Swiss crew aboard Shensu produced a dominant performance in the Longtze Premier class, winning all six races. Crescendo, also Swiss, finished second, with the Belgian crew on Exocet completing the podium.
Smeralda 888: Favale edges a tight fleet
The Smeralda 888 class, which opens its season at the Primo Cup and holds the event’s participation record with 33 editions, lived up to its reputation for close racing. Swiss sailor Marco Favale on Millenium Falcon edged out Charles de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles on Vamos mi Amor into second, with Achille Onorato’s Canard à l’Orange third after six races.
An all-Monegasque Winter Series podium
The Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series concluded with G-Spot taking the 2025-2026 championship, ahead of two fellow Monégasque crews: Pierrik Devic’s Fraser Yachts and Nico Poons’ Charisma V H992 Sailing Team.
YCM Vice-President Pierre Casiraghi described the Primo Cup’s appeal as lying in its mix of experience levels. “The Primo Cup brings together sailors of different levels, which is what makes the format so special. As you improve you measure yourself against those more experienced than you.”
American sailor Dawn Riley — the first woman to lead an America’s Cup team and a two-time Whitbread Round the World Race veteran — was among those competing this year. She described the event as a meaningful bridge between recreational and professional sailing. “This regatta represents a major transition between ‘I sail dinghies with an instructor’ to ‘I want to become a professional’ or ‘own my own boat’.”
The 43rd Primo Cup-UBS Trophy is scheduled for 4th to 7th March 2027. Before then, Yacht Club de Monaco’s next major event is the inaugural Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting Rendezvous, running from 21st to 24th March 2026 in partnership with The Explorers Club of New York.
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Photo credit: Studio Borlenghi