On the 2025 International Day of Women in Sport, the Yacht Club de Monaco announced that it will host a J/70 regatta exclusively for women in March. In collaboration with the Fédération Monégasque de Voile and the Fédération Française de Voile, the Trophée Virginie Hériot, named in honour of this pioneering female sailor, will feature four days of events and races in the waters off the Principality.
The Trophée Virginie Hériot, scheduled from 13th to 16th March, is part of the Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting initiative and marks a significant step forward for women in the sailing world.
Announcing the event on social media, the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) shared its enthusiasm for the regatta, stating, “On this International Day of Women in Sport, the Yacht Club de Monaco is proud to organise a 100% women’s J/70 regatta in March 2025. This event celebrates Virginie Hériot, known as ‘Madame de la Mer,’ the first woman to win an Olympic sailing gold medal as part of a male crew in Amsterdam in 1928.”
The regatta’s schedule is packed with activities for competitors. On 13th March, participants will confirm registrations and attend training sessions. The official races begin on 14th March, starting with a skipper’s briefing and the allocation of boats, followed by the first warning signal at 12pm. The day will conclude with a welcome cocktail. Racing continues on 15th March, culminating in a lively crew party in the evening. The final races are set for 16th March, with a strict time limit for the last warning signal at 3.30pm. Afterward, the event will close with the official prize-giving ceremony.
Hériot remains an inspiring figure in the world of sailing, though her life was tragically cut short in 1932. After being seriously injured in a storm between Venice and Greece earlier that year, the French sailor continued competing undeterred. In late August, during the Arcachon regattas, she collapsed aboard her yacht, Aile VII, but insisted on competing. She succumbed to her injuries on 28th August 1932. Initially buried in her family vault in La Boissière-École, her son honoured her final wishes in 1948 by scattering her ashes at sea, paying tribute to her deep connection to the ocean.
This regatta promises to be a vibrant celebration of women in sailing, honouring the legacy of Madame de la Mer while showcasing the talent and spirit of today’s best female sailors from around the world.
Registration is limited to the first 20 teams, each composed of up to five female sailors, emphasising the event’s exclusivity and commitment to empowering women in sailing. For more information about the event, click here.
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Main photo source: YCM