The 20th edition of the Palermo–Montecarlo offshore classic ended with a dominant display as Black Jack 100 stormed across the finish line in Port Hercule in the early hours, smashing its own course record in the process. Owned by Remon Vos and proudly flying the Yacht Club de Monaco’s burgee, the maxi yacht, under the helm of skipper Tristan Le Brun, completed the 500-nautical-mile challenge in just 38 hours, 53 minutes, and 16 seconds—more than five hours faster than its 2024 benchmark. The victory secures Black Jack 100 back-to-back wins and another lift of the prestigious Giuseppe Tasca d’Almerita Trophy.
“Winning this anniversary edition makes the achievement even more meaningful,” said owner Remon Vos. “The crew delivered a flawless performance, and to break our own record is the perfect way to celebrate.” This year’s race marked not only two decades of the Palermo–Montecarlo regatta but also 20 years since Black Jack first set sail. Over that time, the yacht has undergone major modifications, lengthened bow, reworked stern, and widened beam, keeping it at the forefront of Mediterranean offshore racing.
Skipper Le Brun praised both the boat’s evolution and his crew’s discipline: “We made bold strategic choices, including our route east of Corsica, and everything clicked. The conditions favoured us, but the teamwork was faultless.” The competition began in Palermo with a ceremonial send-off from the Italian Navy’s training ship Nave Palinuro. With 45 boats from nine nations in the starting line-up, Black Jack 100 seized the lead early, riding a ten-knot easterly breeze to carve out an immediate gap. From there, it was an exercise in precision, powering past Sardinia under Code Zero and accelerating north to Corsica before the final dash to Monaco.
The win adds to an impressive streak for the maxi, fresh from its real-time triumph at the Rolex Fastnet Race earlier this season. Over two decades, the Palermo–Montecarlo has become a fixture on the Mediterranean sailing calendar, now integrated into a string of high-profile circuits, including the IMA Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge, the Italian Offshore Championship, and the Mediterranean Altura Trophy. Its ability to attract a truly international fleet underscores its status as one of the region’s most competitive and scenic offshore contests.
