In a historic feat, the maxi yacht Black Jack 100 has broken the long-standing Palermo-Montecarlo race record, securing a monumental victory for the Yacht Club de Monaco. Helmed by club member Tristan Le Brun, the yacht completed the grueling 500-nautical-mile journey from Palermo, Sicily, to Monaco in an astonishing 1 day, 20 hours, 34 minutes, and 22 seconds. This remarkable achievement eclipses the previous record set in 2015 by Esimit Europa 2—ironically, the very same yacht now racing under the name Black Jack 100.
The Palermo-Montecarlo race, a prestigious event organized by the Circolo della Vela Sicilia in partnership with the Yacht Club de Monaco and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, attracted around 50 international teams this year. Among the competitors were some formidable entries, including Andrea Statari’s Comet 45s Gorilla Gang XL and Paul Basson’s Swan 46 Foreign Affair, both proudly flying the flag of the Yacht Club de Monaco.
The race kicked off on Tuesday, August 20, with blustery winds propelling the yachts along the picturesque coasts of Sardinia and Corsica. The intense rivalry between Black Jack 100 and the American yacht Lucky, commanded by Bryon Ehrhart, kept onlookers riveted as the two vessels vied for the lead. Despite the fierce competition, Black Jack 100 surged ahead midway through the course, ultimately crossing the finish line with a decisive 44-minute advantage.
This triumph not only crowns Black Jack 100 as the real-time winner of this year’s Palermo-Montecarlo race but also etches its name in history as the new record holder. The victorious crew will be honored with the Giuseppe Tasca D’Almerita Trophy, a testament to their skill, determination, and enduring legacy in the world of competitive sailing.
