Gazprom Youth Sailing Challenge first Swan 60 in Palermo-Monte Carlo Race

The Gazprom Youth Sailing Challenge racing on Tsaar Peter and Yacht Club de Monaco’s Youth Team on board Spirit of Europe have both finished the 10th edition of the Palermo-Montecarlo Race.  Racing in the ORC Class, both Swan 60s crossed the finish line in front of Port Herclue, Monaco with less than 3 minutes separating the two youth teams.

After 2 days and 16 hours of racing over 480 nautical miles the Gazprom Youth Sailing Challenge finished 9th in class.  They were closely followed by the Yacht Club de Monaco’s Youth Team in 12th position racing with a member of Monaco’s ruling dynasty on board.  Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier’s grandson joined the team of young yachting hopefuls.

Thierry Lerett, Yacht Club de Monaco’s Sporting Director, who is an Admiral’s Cup and Tour de France a la voile veteran, is delighted with the Swan 60 as a racing design.

“The Yacht Club de Monaco team is very impressed with the Swan 60, we had a great race against the Gazprom Youth Sailing Challenge in which our boat was efficient and safe in the stronger winds.  She is very powerful and easy to handle for a 60 foot racing yacht.  The build quality as always with Swan is impeccable, it was super to have the support of Tim Kroger on board with our young French sailors.  We will certainly be racing again on a Swan 60 as Yacht Club de Monaco”.

The 2014 edition of this race marks celebrations of the new Yacht Club de Monaco clubhouse designed by Sir Norman Foster.

Results available:

http://www.palermo-montecarlo.it/2014/eng/results_race_02_ORC0_ORC5.html