Mission accomplished for Pierre Casiraghi and his team on Malizia who lined up on the start at Sotogrande with one goal in mind – to remain in the top five of the provisional overall ranking for the 2016 season.
They emerged 4th out of the 11 teams registered and consolidated their first place in the Owner-Driver category. This penultimate stage in Andalusia was dominated by Franck Cammas’ French crew on Norauto, led this weekend by Adam Minoprio. They won ten of the 15 races held putting them 20 points clear of their nearest rival, Team Tilt, at the top of the leader board.
It was a little disappointing for the Yacht Club de Monaco’s fulling foiling catamaran. The boat finished 6th overall in this stage despite one race win, a 2nd, 3rd and four 4th places, further proof of the potential of this newcomer to the class, helmed by Pierre Casiraghi sailing with Sébastien Col, Boris Herrmann, Richard Mason and Alister Richardson.
“It’s our first season in the GC32 class and we’re learning by our mistakes,” said Pierre Casiraghi. “I have to continue to improve, particularly for the starts. I’m lucky to be sailing with very experienced sailors and must pay more attention to Seb’s advice. With only one point separating us from the Swedes on Gunvor (5th), the French on Team Engie (6th) and the Americans on Argo (7th), the final stage in Marseille (13-16 October 2016) looks set to be a fierce contest and decisive. It will be a real challenge for us to hang on to this 4th place, but that’s our goal.”
Sailing is a passion for Pierre Casiraghi who now heads to Pampelonne bay to compete in Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez at the helm of the Yacht Club de Monaco’s flagship Tuiga (1909). This year he’s invited Malizia crew members to discover the sailing of yesteryear on the 15M IR, a racing thoroughbred which although she may not fly is just as demanding to race.
