The Virginie Hériot Trophy at Yacht Club de Monaco highlights the growing influence of women in sailing, showcasing global talent and honoring a historic legacy.

The highly anticipated ‘Virginie Hériot Trophy,’ a premier all-female sailing competition hosted by the Yacht Club de Monaco, has concluded with remarkable results. Over the course of three intense days, 21 teams from nine different nations battled it out on J/70 yachts, showcasing the growing global interest in women’s sailing.

Support from International Sailing Federations and Sponsors

This year’s event, conducted under the auspices of the French and Monegasque Sailing Federations and supported by FxPro, drew teams from around the world, including four from the United States, one of which was from the renowned ‘Manhattan Yacht Club.’ A pivotal element of the event’s success was the ‘Pink Wave’ collective, a group of talented female sailors from YCM, who have been instrumental in advancing women’s sailing for the past six years. The event was initially called ‘Women Leading & Sailing’ before being renamed in honor of Virginie Hériot, a trailblazer in sailing and the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in 1928. Hériot, famously known as “Madame de la Mer,” leaves behind a legacy that continues to motivate and inspire countless generations of female sailors.

Key Role of Weather in the Competition

Weather played a significant role throughout the competition. On the opening day, light easterly winds allowed the ‘Royal Thames Yacht Club’ to dominate, securing victories in all three races. Meanwhile, the American ‘Sound Sisters’ held strong in second place. The British team maintained their dominance with two additional wins on the second day. As the mistral winds picked up on the final day, reaching 15-20 knots, the ‘Royal Thames Yacht Club’ defended their lead in the Gold group, while the ‘Lausanne Sailing Club’ surged to second place with a decisive victory. The ‘Boddensprotten’ team from Regatta Verein Greifswald made a strong move to claim third, edging out the ‘Sound Sisters.’

Silver and Bronze Group Victories

In the Silver group, ‘Cannelles 2’ emerged victorious, and in the Bronze group, the Yacht Club de Monaco team, featuring ‘Pink Wave’ sailors, triumphed under the leadership of Anne Rodelato. Olympic champion Saskia Clark, alongside Maycka Delgado, Kathrin Hoyos, and Anne Schouten, played key roles in securing their victory.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Superyacht Chef Competition

Looking ahead, the Yacht Club de Monaco is preparing for the 6th edition of the ‘Superyacht Chef Competition,’ set for Thursday, April 3, 2025. Organized by the ‘La Belle Classe Academy’ in collaboration with Bluewater, this prestigious event will challenge nine chefs working on superyachts ranging from 36 to 97 meters. A distinguished panel, chaired by Chef Jean-François Girardin, a Meilleur Ouvrier de France 1993 and former Ritz Paris chef, will judge the competition. This event, part of the ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ initiative, celebrates culinary excellence in the maritime world and further solidifies YCM’s reputation as a leader in both sailing and luxury yachting

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