MALIZIA ON THE GC32 CIRCUIT: AN EXCITING NEW SAILING CHALLENGE FOR THE YACHT CLUB DE MONACO AND ITS VICE-PRESIDENT MR PIERRE CASIRAGHI

As part of the Yacht Club de Monaco’s sailing policy, a new boat has just joined the Monegasque fleet. Called Malizia, she’s a GC32 helmed by Pierre Casiraghi. Just out of the yard, this latest generation fully flying foiling catamaran has joined the GC32 Racing Tour which kicked-off at Lake Garda on Thursday 26^th May 2016.

Malizia: a new comer on the GC32 circuit

It was in the Netherlands at Zwaag on 8^th May that the Monegasque team took possession of the GC32 before they head for Riva del Garda where the first of five regattas on the 2016 circuit takes place.

A baptism by fire for the Monegasques, it’s a chance to compete against 11 other contestants. It will also be an excellent trial period, notably to fine tune trimming with foils, the two wing-like structures under the bow of the boat which enable it to literally fly above the water.

Malizia symbolises the Grimaldi family’s deep attachment to the sea in this tribute to Francesco Grimaldi, a Genovese who arrived by sea in 1297 and founded the Grimaldi family dynasty. He was nicknamed La Malizia in the Monegasque language, meaning “the wily one”. For the Monegasque skipper the name has a special meaning: “Given what Malizia represents for us in the Principality of Monaco, I’ve always wanted to give this name to a race boat.”

Malizia: the youngest crew in the fleet

Pierre Casiraghi, winner of the Rolex Giraglia Race 2014 and Melges 32 Gold Cup the same year and 4^th in the 2015 Sydney-Hobart, will be ably assisted by experienced sailors. “We’re the youngest crew and I am by far the least experienced on the circuit! I am so fortunate to be surrounded by a team prepared to take up the challenge.”

Among them is Sébastien Col, match racing specialist and regular participant in the America’s Cup; Boris Herrmann, a pure product of offshore racing and driving force behind this project alongside Pierre; Richard Mason who is equally at home on an Olympic dinghy as he is in the offshore Figaro; and Adam Piggott straight from the Extreme Sailing Series circuit.

Supervising them is Pierre-Alexis Ponsot. Winner of the Baccardi Cup 2012, a French Olympic team member and with a clutch of victories in the Tour de France à la Voile under his belt, the coach has bags of experience to pass on.

2016 a trial season

Pierre Casiraghi, who has been training in Riva del Garda with all the crew since 16^th May, has the measure of the project: “We must be patient and take it one step at a time, as these boats are very powerful and quick. It’s imperative we take the humble approach.”

As if proof were required, when they tested it in Quiberon, “We were doing 24 knots, and as soon we started bearing away, within seconds we were up to speeds of 32 knots.” An extremely technical and demanding boat, safety will be a priority for Pierre Casiraghi who is keen to invest in equipment development. He continued: “This being the first season, our objectives are simple: to learn and sail as effectively and cleanly as possible.”

GC32 specifications:

Length overall (LOA): 12m

Length (hull): 10m

Beam: 6m

Mast height (above deck): 16.5m

Mainsail: 60m²                                             

Jib: 23.5m²

Genniker: 90m²                                            

Weight: 750kg

GC32 Racing Tour 2016

The GC32 circuit attracts the very best international multi-hull sailors. Regattas are held in the Mediterranean with stages in Italy, Spain and France. Number of regattas: 5

Calendar for 2016:          1^st regatta: Riva del Garda, Lake Garda – 26^th to29^th May

2^nd regatta: Malcesine, Lake Garda – 7^th to 10^th July

3^rd regatta: Palma de Mallorca, Spain – 3^rd to 6^th August

4^th regatta: Sotogrande Cup, Spain – 22^nd to 25^th September

5^th regatta: Marseille one-design – 13^th to 16^th October

As the cars roared round the Principality of Monaco at the F1 Grand Prix last weekend, Pierre Casiraghi and his team Malizia were breaking speed records on the water in Riva del Garda (26^th-29^th May 2016) at their first official GC32 regatta.

Pierre, the catamaran’s driver has taken on a mighty challenge. Assisted by four experienced sailors in Sébastien Col, Boris Herrmann, Richard Mason and Adam Piggott, coached by Pierre-Alexis Ponsot, the Yacht Club de Monaco’s Vice-President was competing against eight international teams, some from the America’s Cup like Franck Cammas (Team France), Iain Percy (Artemis) and Glenn Ashby (Team New Zealand).

 “To race against such famous teams is a dream come true. I think the class is very attractive. The boat is super quick and aggressive which I love. For this first regatta it was important for us to test the boat, break-in the crew and above all see how we measured up against other teams,” explains Pierre Casiraghi. “Obviously we have to improve, particularly on some of the manoeuvres, but I want to thank all the team most sincerely for their commitment and what has been a great start.”

Indeed, the end result for the Monegasque GC32 is more than positive with 19 races completed over an intense very windy four days, this being the first of five stages on the 2016 circuit. Equipped with foils, the GC32s are quick to take off and reach impressive speeds. The crew on Malizia even set their own speed record on the Saturday, topping out at 38.4 knots in the first race of the day which they won, to which can be added two third places.

In the final overall ranking, Franck Cammas (Norauto) beat Sébastien Schneiter associated with Glenn Ashby (Team Tilt). As for Pierre Casiraghi he was 2^nd in the owner-driver category.

Next stage: Malcesine in Italy from 7^th to 10^th July 2016.