Millenium Falcon triumphs again at the Invitational Smeralda 888
The Smeralda 888 Invitational concluded today after three days of racing off Porto Cervo. The event, part of the Smeralda 888 Class circuit, saw Marco Favale’s Millenium Falcon take the victory ahead of Stay Rude, owned by YCCS member Vittorio Lombardi Stronati with Timofey Sukhotin’s V Force finishing third.
A total of nine crews took part in the event, with no less than three teams skippered by YCCS club members acting as hosts. These were Vittorio Lombardi Stronati’s Stay Rude, Germano Scarpa’s Giada, and Nicolò Saidelli’s Mathilde. Rounding out the fleet were Zarina by DAS skippered by Marie Helene Polo, Ziva with owner Silvia De Longhi at the helm, V Force helmed by Timofey Sukhotin, Vamos Mi Amor with Charles De Bourbon at the helm, and Martin Nweeia’s Paka’A. Marco Favale returned with his Millennium Falcon to defend the victory he secured in the previous edition of the event.
The participants competed in windward-leeward races in the waters off Porto Cervo aboard Smeralda 888s—one-design boats created for the YCCS by yacht designer German Frers. The event was characterized by light Mistral winds during the first two days, while today—the final day—the wind shifted to the northeast blowing at 6–7 knots.
Millenium Falcon set the pace from day one, topping the provisional leader board in the first two days of racing. The YCCS team Stay Rude pushed to unseat the leader right to the end, in fact, in the friendly yet truly competitive spirit of the Smeralda 888 Class, the winner was only decided in the event's final race. After the seventh and penultimate race just two points separated the Yacht Club de Monaco team from the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda crew. Both teams got off to a strong start in the final race with Stay Rude immediately challenging Millenium Falcon, overtaking, then rounding the first windward mark in second place. After leaving their direct rival in their wake, Vittorio Lombardi Stronati’s team sought to win the race itself. Despite a narrow margin, Stay Rude crossed the finish line in second place, just behind Marie Helene Polo’s Zarina by Das. While the Yacht Club de Monaco and the YCCS teams concluded the event tied for points, Millenium Falcon secured the overall victory thanks to their superior record across the event, with wins in four individual races.
The battle for third place was also decided in the eighth and final race. Charles De Bourbon’s Vamos Mi Amor and Timofey Sukhotin’s V Force arrived at the start tied in the standings meaning that the team that finished ahead of the other would secure third place. V Force’s sixth place finish was nevertheless ahead of Vamos Mi Amor and they captured third place.
Following the races, the final prize-giving ceremony took place at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, where the winner was presented with a Garmin OnBoard system by the event's technical partner, Garmin Marine.
The next YCCS event will be the Smeralda 888 European Cup which is scheduled from July 3 to 5 and will once again feature hulls designed by German Frers.
For further information, the results, the entry list, the programme, photos and news, please visit www.yccs.com or contact the YCCS Press Office.
