The competitors of the Smeralda 888 Sailing Class based in Monaco met in Saint-Tropez for the 16th edition of the Coupe de l’Hippocampe from 21 to 23 April 2023 for three days of intense competition in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. The competitors benefited from idyllic conditions with a beautiful sea and a good East wind varying from 5 to 11 knots. In the presence of Pierre Roinson, President of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, Charles de Bourbon des deux Siciles, President of the Class and competitor, Marco Stevenazzi, the coordinator and secretary of the Class, the prize-giving ceremony closed this beautiful weekend of regatta and festivity. Chaired by Lionel Péan, the race committee was able to launch a total of nine races in front of the city of Tropez. And it is the Monegasque Smeralda888 BOTTA DRITTA of Roberto Tambureli with Paolo Bonetto, Maximilian Kuester, Michele Orlando, Santiago Vacca, Francesco Vauban, which wins by one point in front of the Italian team on MASCALZONE LATINO of Vicenzo Onorato with Tommaso Chieffi, Gaetano Figlia di Granara, Francesco Greggio. Matteo Savelli.
In third place, VAMOS MI AMOR by Charles de Bourbon Siciles with Nicolas Berthelot, Frederic Bourguet Maurice, Vincent Bourguet-Maurice, Stephane Christidis. Next stop for the Smeralda888, which has seven events in the Mediterranean, Calvi from 2 to 4 June. The Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez will follow with other great events: “Les Dames de Saint-Tropez” on April 29th and 30th, followed by the 52 Super Series competition from May 2nd to 7th, the Bravades regatta on May 14th and then the Paprec 600 Saint-Tropez race which will start on May 24th! Not forgetting the Rolex Giraglia and the other nautical events that will follow…
Le Smeralda 888, une classe qui s’intensifie ! “It’s a nice, solid 1992 boat that can be sailed in very little wind. There are 17 boats in the Smeralda fleet in total and almost all of them compete in the Mediterranean circuit. We often have good conditions in Saint-Tropez and a great race course,” says Charles de Bourbon. “This year, the programme was respected with 9 races in total and there was no time wasted on the water! There were two opposing winds, so it was quite nerve-wracking, but it was enough to have fun and challenge each other! The fleet, which has more and more professionals on board, was very evenly matched and the rankings are very close. All mistakes were paid for dearly”. Under the impetus of Adalberto Miani and Charles de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles, President of the class, this one-design series has been structured with the setting up of a real Mediterranean circuit, which has the particularity of offering international events in such prestigious locations as Saint-Tropez, Porto Cervo, Cannes and Monaco. Designed by German Frers, the Smeralda 888 is a fast, lively and very pleasant 4-man boat of 8.88m, which combines elegant lines and performance on the water. She behaves in a balanced way in the breeze and knows how to be fast in light airs. The Smeralda 888 International Championship traditionally ends in Monaco with the last event of the year. The Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez has hosted the fleet since 2006.
