Setting out to offshore races with Philippe Monnet!

Monaco, 28 July 2010 - Yacht Club de Monaco members love a challenge and they proved it! Indeed a YCM society member, already a great classic yacht owner and a regular on that circuit, is launching into offshore racing, reviving a great tradition when captains of industry called on famous skippers, such as Charlie Barr, to beat records or take part in the America’s Cup.

 

 

On this occasion, YCM society members were invited to sail on board Melody Nelson, this superb 23-metre trimaran, and they responded in droves with around 40 taking up the offer throughout the day. It was a great opportunity to discover more about sailing a multi-hull before Philippe Monnet sets out on a series of solo round the world record attempts, including one in the “wrong direction” (against the prevailing winds and tides): a first for a trimaran!

 

We remember that in 2000 this accomplished sportsman (notably two-times winner of the Paris-Dakar rally and member of the French show jumping team) was the first man to sail the “wrong way” round the world in a mono-hull via the southern passage of the Antarctic. He set a record of 151 days 19 hours and 54 minutes which has since been broken by Jean-Luc Van Den Heede. However, Philippe Monnet remains the first and only sailor to have raced as far south as the Antarctic Circle at 66.5 degrees latitude.

 

Meanwhile Philippe, who has just brought his boat down from Oman, is seeking extra funding so that he can take his place on the starting line, for the third time in his career (1998 and 2002), on 31 October for the classic offshore Route du Rhum – La Banque Postale 2010.
To follow Philippe Monnet ‘s acheivements: http://www.philippemonnet-skipper.com