Monaco’s harbour is once again alive with sails as the 42nd edition of the Primo Cup–UBS Trophy began on Thursday, March 5, bringing more than 350 sailors from nine nations to the Principality. Organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco with the support of UBS, Monaco City Hall and sailmaker North Sails, the regatta runs through Sunday, March 8, and marks the first major gathering of the Mediterranean one-design sailing season.

Four competitive classes are taking part this year: the J/70, Smeralda 888, Longtze Premier and Cape 31. Over the coming days, crews will race in the waters just off Monaco’s coastline, where shifting breezes and tight tactical conditions often make the racing as demanding as it is spectacular.

First launched in 1985 by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, the Primo Cup has grown into a respected event on the international sailing calendar. According to Yacht Club de Monaco Director and General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri, part of the appeal lies in the challenge Monaco offers. The bay presents complex conditions that reward precision sailing and strategic thinking, attracting teams eager to test themselves early in the season.

This year’s fleet includes several notable names from the international sailing world. Among them is American sailor Dawn Riley, a prominent figure in offshore racing and the first woman to lead a team in the America’s Cup. Riley has competed in the event three times and has also sailed twice in the Whitbread Round the World Race, now known as The Ocean Race.

For the J/70 fleet, the regatta carries additional significance. The Primo Cup serves as the fourth and final round of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, meaning the championship standings could be decided in Monaco’s waters this week. The Monaco J/70 Class Association currently counts fifteen teams, making it one of the strongest fleets in the Mediterranean. Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio’s G-Spot team currently leads the provisional rankings, ahead of Pierrik Devic’s Fraser Yachts and Nico Poons’ Charisma V.

The Cape 31 class is also expected to deliver high-intensity racing. These powerful boats are known for their speed and physical demands, particularly when sailing downwind under asymmetric spinnakers, where positioning and coordination become crucial.

Meanwhile, the Longtze Premier class returns once again to Monaco. Known for its responsiveness even in lighter winds, the design can begin planing when the breeze picks up, often producing close and dynamic racing that is particularly enjoyable for spectators watching from the harbour.

The Smeralda 888 fleet also launches its season in Monaco, as it traditionally does each year. The class, which attracts experienced amateur crews, continues to grow steadily, and the opening regatta often sets the tone for the rest of its racing calendar.

Racing begins on Thursday afternoon with a warm-up start scheduled for 14.30. before the main programme gets fully underway on Friday. Competition will continue through the weekend, with the final warning signal expected on Sunday afternoon, bringing another edition of one of Monaco’s most established sailing events to a close.

Image courtesy of YCM – Studio Borlenghi