Report from the 2007 Primo Cup
Day 1 - Thursday, Arriving in Monaco
"Commodorable" Sharon Fortenbaugh smiles on the Mumm 30 dock while one of our club teams busily discusses strategy in the background.
TJ Dalton and Monica Connelly join Sharon on the Smeralda dock. From there, it was off to the Yacht Club de Monaco clubhouse.
Bernard d'Alessandri is the Secretary General of Yacht Club de Monaco and the great spirit who has built such a success. Commodore Fortenbaugh first met Bernard in 1988 during the Tour de France a la Voile. Together, they bet a bottle of champagne per race between Manhattan Yacht Club and Yacht Club de Monaco. When Commodore Fortenbaugh arrived with other members of the team, bernard went behind the bar and brought out the ceremonial saber to open a magnum of champagne.
Remind me Bernard about how I do this?
Well, the bottle was opened but not as delicately as protocol suggested. "It is ok Michael," Bernard said in a very gracious manner. "We just need to practice more together."
Champagne for everyone! And a toast to Yacht Club de Monaco!
Time for some sightseeing. First John.
Then Amy.
Back to John.
Back to Amy.
John one last time while he is walking over to the team gathering.
As 6 p.m. came around, it was time for our first formal team gathering, at Hotel de Paris in the "Bar American." It started with a small table and 10 people. Then it grew and the waiters kept expanding table after table. 30 team members in all! There was sweat on the brow but still high style. Then the Commodore declared, "Champagne for everyone!" and all the staff smiled. We had a great toast.
From Hotel de Paris, we all went back to Yacht Club de Monaco for another round of champagne. Bernard was pleased with the spirit of our team. Cheers!
Finally it was dinner at the Beef Bar. Three tables were set aside and all at down comfortably for a delicious dinner and good conversation.
At some point during the dinner, people began giving toasts, each trying to out do the previous until finally, the famous cossack toast was given. There being no way to follow such an act, we all sat down again.
From the Beef Bar, we decided to head back to the beautiful antique motor yacht "Seaway" which would serve as our club's flagship for the regatta.
"Call me a taxi, Darling....." said Margot.
Jessica navigated the boarding ramp with ease.
Lina navigated the ramp next, also with ease.
Sharon went next with a smile and soon everyone was onboard.
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Mary smiles with Nathalie who works with Christophe Fresson on Seaway.
Then Nathalie brought our some glasses along with a special bottle of wine grown and produced by the owners of Seaway.
Laura & Kelly smile near the end of the first night in Monaco.
The Commodore and wife are very happy to be back. They last visited Monaco in 1991 as part of the International Yacht Club Challenge. It had been much, much too long. "We need to make up for lost time," said the Commodore.
Kent and Laura from Manhattan Yacht Club and Franck from Yacht Club de Monaco chatted into the evening.
My what a stylish group of ladies were on board Seaway this evening!