Report from the 2007 Primo Cup
Day
4 - Sunday,
Racing, Prize Giving, Sass Bar
(Photo courtesy of Gilles Martin-Raget www.martin-raget.com) Sunday and the final day of racing dawned much too early for those who were reveling at Jimmy'z the night before. But with the beautiful skyline of Monaco in the background, every day is a great day. The first race in the morning proved to be the crowning glory for our club. Here the Manhattan Yacht Club team races on Yacht Club de Monaco's new Smeralda with a number ")." on the sail. Commodore Fortenbaugh is steering with Mary Ann Eddy next and Jean Yves Noblet near the mast. Patrick who was a local rep was also onboard and to leeward trimming the genoa. Our team got off to an excellent start which was captured by world famous photographer Gilles Martin-Raget.
A progressive shift to the right started on the race course and after a few boats caught the first breath, our club boat tacked to port and headed across the fleet towards this fresher wind. By the windward mark, we had a good lead over the rest of the fleet. We were in first place! Patrick was trimming the spinnaker while the Commodore steered. "Look around now," said the Commodore. "Enjoy the beauty of this moment because you never know when you will get this opportunity again." (Photo courtesy of Gilles Martin-Raget www.martin-raget.com)
The race continued and the wind lightened. Only one other boat was close and it was a local boat from Yacht Club de Monaco.
Sailing up the final beat, our club boat worked to get ever bit of wind out of the small puffs. But the wind dropped on the left side of the course where our boat was located and the boat in second, by being further right, was able to maintain more wind and sneak across the finish line in first.
Second place was a great achievement for our club racing in this new class of boat. What an honor. Of course, the reason for our good fortune was actually the commissioning the night before when the beautiful Princess Camilla Bourbon-Siciles smashed the champagne on the bow of our boat. She brought great luck to our team and we will always be appreciative and in her debt.
Our flagship Seaway was there to see the triumph and cheer.
What an elegant crew. Janice posed on the bow of Seaway.
And again on the upper deck.
Karun smiled after seeing the great race.
Race 2 was not as good for our club team, primarily because of the dancing till 3:30 a.m. There was only enough concentration for one race not two. But the same luck which Princess Camilla Bourbon-Siciles granted to us in race one now went to her husband. Princes Charles Bourbon-Siciles was racing his Smeralda "Vamos" and came by the Manhattan Yacht Club team in between race 1 and 2. "Congratulations!" he shouted over the water. "Thank you," was the reply. "Our luck was due to the beautiful woman, your wife, who smashed the champagne on our bow." In appropriate fashion, our luck was transferred to Vamos and Prince Charles won the second race of the day! (Photo courtesy of Gilles Martin-Raget www.martin-raget.com)
After racing, the fleet headed back to the harbor.
Steering in was Principle Race Officer Jean Yves Noblet.
Smiling on board was also Mary Ann Eddy.
Patrick was our local expert who helped us make the boat go fast. Without Patrick, our successes would have been much more limited.
After a quick change, our team was back to the yacht club for commemorative pictures with some of the friends we have met during the regatta. With the last race over, Bernard is finally starting to relax.
It is amazing that with a total of 6 hours of sleep over 3 days, that Franck can still look so presentable. Of course, it was his responsibility to make sure our club members had a good time so he was just doing his duty staying out every night with the New Yorkers. Nancy was happy to express our collective appreciation.
Commodore and Mrs. Fortenbaugh had the honor of taking this picture with the Commodore of Yacht Club de Monaco. He used to have a shipping business with an office in Baltimore where Sharon is from!
Prince Charles Bourbon-Siciles who is President of the Smeralda class poses for a picture with the NYC Smeralda crew plus the "Commodoreable."
Finally it was time for the awards ceremony which was orchestrated by the elegant Bernard d'Alessandri.
Bernard was very gracious in inviting the Manhattan Yacht Club Commodore up on stage and giving a nice introduction to the 35 members of the club who came to participate and have a memorable Monaco experience.
The Commodore in turn thanked Bernard, "For after 3 days of great sailing, excellent dinners and all night dancing, there is nothing more which I can say to enhance this experience except three words, 'Thank you Bernard!'"
Jean Yves & Laura prepare for our final team dinner at Sass Cafe.
We called the restaurant and asked for a seating for 20. But 20 arrived and more kept coming. Then more and more. Soon, we were 30!
We all looked like regal paintings. A great memory!
No Kent, we did not forget that tonight is our last might in Monaco and there is still more to do.
Sharon seated next to John while table hopping to make sure spirits are high everywhere.
The Commodore was very happy that after 15 years, he was finally able to make a return trip to Monaco and visit Bernard who has been an inspiration for him. Lots of water has passed under the bridges since they first met and the Commodore has been very fortunate. He thanks his wife for allowing him this opportunity.
On Monday morning, Kelly and Laura sat at a bus stop in Monaco and contemplated the future. Should we go home? What happens if we just hoped on this next bus and rode to to where ever?