The “Azahar” leaves its mark on the 20th Palermo – Montecarlo

The 20th edition of the Palermo – Montecarlo, organized by the Circolo della Vela Sicilia in collaboration with the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and the Yacht Club de Monaco, brought together 45 boats ranging from 10 to 30 meters, representing nine countries, in a nearly 500-nautical-mile regatta that combined demanding sailing, luxury, and spectacular competition in the Mediterranean.

The yachts set sail from Sicily to the salutes of the Italian Navy’s brig “Palinuro,” with initial north/northeast winds that later shifted southward as they moved away from the coast, and eventually strengthened into powerful westerlies with heavy seas. The course led the fleet along the eastern coast of Sardinia and the western coast of Corsica before reaching the French Riviera, a setting where the elegance of the yachts, the thrill of Formula 1, and the allure of the Casino blend seamlessly with the intensity of the race.

Among the standout participants, “Azahar,” the Swan 56 from the Club de Vela Port d'Andratx, designed by German Frers and skippered by Hervé Grünig with his experienced crew, completed the race in 2 days, 13 hours, 50 minutes, and 3 seconds. The team secured 9th place overall in real time and an impressive 4th place in ORC 1. The yacht shared the spotlight with the Monegasque Maxi “Black Jack 100” owned by Roman Voss, which set a record during the competition.

After this intense experience, Hervé Grünig highlighted the beauty and excitement of the regatta, stating, “Life is beautiful!” The participation of “Azahar” marks a memorable end to the season for the Club de Vela Port d'Andratx, further cementing its prestige in high-level international competitions.