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The event closes an intense month of June for the YCCS

Porto Cervo, June 30, 2024. The Invitational Smeralda 888 took place over this weekend, concluding today. The event, organised by the YCCS and part of the 888 Class circuit, saw Beda on the highest step of the podium, followed by just two points by Millenium Falcon. Third place for  the Yacht Club de Monaco team, Vamos Mi Amor.

The Invitational Smeralda 888 kicked off on Friday, June 28, with the 11.30 a.m. briefing at the YCCS, followed by the traditional Welcome Brunch. Immediately afterwards, the Smeralda 888 fleet headed off for the body of water in front of Porto Cervo for competition at sea. Eight registered teams, some regulars from Porto Cervo such as Bedà (owner/skipper Timifey Sukhotin), Gorilla Gang (skipper/skipper Andrea Statari), Millenium Falcon (owner/skipper Marco Favale assisted at the helm by Paolo Bonetto), Vamos Mi Amor (owner/skipper Charles De Bourbon), Canard a l'Orange (owner/skipper Achille Onorato) joined some new participants: Capocaccia (owner/skipper Luigi Guarnaccia), Luigia (owner/skipper Marie Helene Polo) and Kzi Mo D'Eau.

During the three days of windward leeward competitions, a total of 8 races were completed, as scheduled. Today, June 30th, was decisive in determining the winner of the event. This morning the fleet headed out of port with Beda, Millenium Falcon and Canard a l'Orange in the top three positions. 

The first race of the day started punctually at 11.00 with a Mistral wind blowing steady at 12-13 knots. At the first mark, the Yacht Club de Monaco team Millenium Falcon lead the fleet and held on to the lead finishing first in the seventh race of the event in front of a tenacious Capocaccia and Vamos Mi Amor. It was a tense moment for Bedà's team, who finished sixth, behind Luigia and Canard a L'Orange, losing the initial 6-point lead they had over their most direct opponent, Millenium Falcon.

The eighth and final race of the event was decisive. The fleet started compact on the left side of the course. Capocaccia, who had a good day today, arrived at the first mark a few meters behind Bedà. Thanks to some fine manoveruing downwind they managed to overtake Bedà, turning first at the gate. Capocaccia defended their position all the way to a photo finish with Bedà. Meanwhile, Millenium Falcon was the protagonist of a good recovery that allowed them to finish third in the last race, leaving behind Gorilla Gang and Vamos Mi Amor. Second place in the last race meant victory at the event for Bedà, followed by Millenium Falcon and Vamos Mi Amor.

At the end, the crews met at the YCCS for the final award ceremony. The winner was also awarded with a satellite inReach Mini 2, by technical partner Garmin

The next sporting event for the YCCS will be again with the Smeralda 888 Class, which will return to Porto Cervo for the Coppa Europa Smeralda 888 scheduled for July 12-14.