The 12th Monaco Optimist Team Race, an international regatta for the team racing elite in this class kicked off today, organised by Yacht Club de Monaco with support from FxPro, Eventica, Fonbet, technical clothing supplier Slam and boatyard Erplast.
Fifteen nations and 60 under-14 sailors are in Monaco for this meeting which got off to a flying start. “It’s a real pleasure to welcome the new sailing generation to our race area and so satisfying to see how enthusiastic they are about this international event,” said YCM General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri at the opening ceremony yesterday.
First into battle were the Swiss in a duel with the Netherlands, galvanised by the impatience of youth. In all, there were 60 team-on-team duels on this first day in a 12-knot southwesterly, ideal for bringing out the best in these talented youngsters. Tomorrow, all meet again for the next phase of the round robin that will take the total to 105 encounters. The best go through to the quarter finals for a place in the semis and on to the finals.
