History

An offshore race, in the heart of the Mediterranean between history and culture, a regata for sailors and seamen, a chance to get together and share the love for the sea. The Palermo-Montecarlo race, that is about to turn 10, is all this and much more. How was it born, who lived it, what adventures can they tell us about?

The idea of a sailing regata that cuts the Mediterranean and connects Palermo to the Principality of Monaco goes back to 2005: two sister cities, a route rooted in history, a 500 mile journey at one of the most beautiful seas in the world, a “true” race with high technical content for sailors, a glamorous sporting event in the heart of summer.

The regata offers a variety of breathtaking landscapes, starting from the Caribbean-like Gulf of Mondello and ending at the entrance of Monaco with the unique Montecarlo skyline in the background, passing through the nocturnal calm seas and gusts of wind in the area of Corsica, Sardinia and minor Islands. The race is a true test of sailing skills and nautical art.

Not by chance, during the first nine years of continuous development, Palermo-Montecarlo hosted some of the most famous boats and most acclaimed sailors.
In 2010, 2011 and 2012 editions, the main participant was the super maxi Esimit Europa 2, which saw some amazing sailors alternate on board, such as the German ace Jochen Schuemann (4 Olympic medals in sailing), the great Italian Flavio Favini (who participated in the Olympics as well as America’s Cup), the young emerging Alberto Bolzan, and some big name in the world of sailing such as Tiziano Nava, a formers sailor from Azzurra. And bear in mind that in 2008 Igor Simcic, the owner of Esimit Europa, was at the start of Palermo-Montecarlo.

Although it’s important to point out that the race is also an opportunity for young people to grow and it’s a race for even the smallest boat, it is necessary to mention the big players of Palermo-Montecarlo: Idea, maxi 80 skippered by Alberto Leghissa, Marco Paolucci’s Comet 45 Libertine multi winner in offshore sailing, Vittorio Urbinati’s MC Sea Wonder with Beppe Zaoli, Nicola Paoleschi’s Sagamore, VO70 Amer Sports One, who sailed around the world, skippered to victory in 2006 by the President of Circolo della Vela Sicilia, Agostino Randazzo.

An almoust invisible, but real, tie that binds the race Palermo-Montecarlo and the myth of sailing around the world is confirmed by the participation of another WOR 60, Amer Sports Two, equipped in 2007 by Yacht Club de Monaco and skippered by Giovanni Marangoni. And how could we forget the historical presence of Marina Militare’s Orsa Maggiore, which also marked a positive collaboration between the organizer and the italian navy, during the third year of the regata. And no one can forget Steinlagher, glorious ketch winner at Withbread round the world with the legendary New Zealander Peter Blake, skippered to Palermo by Mauro Pelaschier who took part in many edition of the race.

The list is long and includes other big fish: the biggest boat ever to have participated in Palermo-Montecarlo is the super Maxi boat 45 meter long Senso One, formally known as Mari Cha III, oceanic record holder from the Royal Malta Yacht Club, led by Olivier Lazhchameur. The winning combination which triumphed in 2008 beating the record in just over 52 hours, which still remain the third fastest time of all the editions.

From one giant to another, it was the turn of another Maxi boat 80 feet long Damiani Ourdream that participated for the first time in the early edition s with two star sailors such as Lorenzo Bressani and Lorenzo Boldini. For those who believe that the boats have a soul, the return of Ourdream to Palermo-Montecarlo in the ninth edition in 2013 was a sign of twists and turns that illuminate the stories of the sea.

Rolly Go, Guido Falck’s famous yacht and Palermo-Montecarlo’s protagonist who also took part in Withbread round the world race, is another piece of the puzzle of the most beautiful stories of sea, whose participation in the regata was marked by the presence of Davide Besana.

The list goes on to increase the image of the event. Another participant was 60 feet maxi boat Out Of Reach with the brothers Gabriele and Furio Benussi on board. Among the spectacular hulls we can’t forget Highland Breeze (majestic Swan 112), the magical Wally B skippered by Mark James, the innovative Junoplano owned by eclectic Sandro Buzzi and 14 meter long IMS Man, which was the starting point for the ex Olympic and America’s Cup participant, skipper Gabriele “Ganga” Bruni from Palermo.

If the names contributed to making an event on sea great, Palermo-Montecarlo is already superb. In addition to the aforementioned Olympic sailors and the medals won by Jochen Schuemann, others who have also contributed to enriching the race are: the multi hull superspecialist Mitch Booth who also won an Olympic medal, French sailor Catherine Chaboud, the great Pietro D’Alì (the only Italian sailor along with Claudio Celon who has participated in the Olympics, America’s Cup and round the world race), Andrea Mura (historical winner of the Route du Rhum the same year he participated in Palermo-Montecarlo), Andrea Caracci ( Mini 650 solo sailor), Gaetano Mura (who is about to leave for Class 40 round the world race), Alessandro Di Benedetto (who has achieved a Guinness World Record for sailing around the world without stopping and without any assistance in a tiny 6 metro long boat; venture repeated by completing Vendée Globe Challenge, the equivalent of mount Everest in the world of sailing, a solitary race aboard 60 feet IMOCA), the ex world championship participant Tornado sailor Angelo Glisoni, the ex Olympic game participant Edoardo Bianchi, the entire family of sailors Francesco, Gabriele and Marco Bruni. In 2011 the most popular figure in the italian sailing world, Cino Ricci, was a guest and a testimonial of the event.

And the ninth edition, in 2013, saw Princess Carolina di Monaco’s son Pierre Casiraghi protagonist on the starting line and he went on winning in real time aboard the TP52 Monaco Racing Week owned by Guido Miani and George Martin. The extraordinary event let Prince Albert II of Monaco to attend the final awards ceremony.

Glamour, race and sports results: in addition to the record and the overall victory on elapsed time, Palermo-Montecarlo is giving away two different prizes: “Trofeo Angelo Randazzo” in honor of the President of Circolo della Vela Sicilia and creator of the race, and “Trofeo Giuseppe Tasca d’Almerita” set up in honor of the founder of the sicilian Circolo della Vela itself, assigned to the first yacht crossing the line in real time.

It is therefore no coincidence that the race has been included in the most prestigious offshore ailing circuits for many years such as the Italian Offshore Lombardini Cup circuit and Great Offshore of the Mediterranean which also includes the classic Giraglia and Middle Sea Race.

Fortified by 9 years enriched by familiar faces, famous ships and stories of sea and sailing, Palermo-Montecarlo race is preparing for the extraordinary 10 year anniversary: the 10th edition will be held in August 2014.