Significant storm suspends offshore race

Thirty-nine boats are competing in the 2026 Palermo-Montecarlo – a 437nm course from the Sicilian city upwards to Monaco. While the fastest that started on August 18 are already enjoying a spritz on the French Riviera, a significant storm has led to a significant decision for the others. Here is the report:

TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF THE RACE
A painful, inevitable one, imposed by the consistent forecasts of the weather models that indicate with certainty the rapid passage of a low-pressure front between the Strait of Bonifacio, Corsica, and extending along the Ligurian and Corsican Seas to the Principality of Monaco, with winds of up to 60 and even 80 knots.

Race Director Giancarlo Crevatin’s statement reads, among other things, as follows: “Between 5:00 AM and 1:00 PM on August 21, 2026, the race must be considered temporarily suspended (not abandoned or postponed). During this time, all boats must be considered not racing and MUST be in a safe position and condition, adequately sheltered from wind and waves.

The Race Organization is not responsible for the selection of shelter and its provision. All boats MUST inform the Race Committee when they abandon the course, no later than 5:00 AM to seek shelter, and when they resume, no earlier than 1:00 PM.

Boats must use their best efforts to restart from the same point where they decided to abandon the course. The time between the two messages will be subtracted from the actual time before calculating the correct time in the results. The time limit set forth in the Sailing Instructions will not be changed.”

After the first five, perhaps six, boats arrive in Monte Carlo, all the others will dock in safe harbors until the front passes, which forecasts predict will be violent but also fast, and should give way to more favorable conditions to conclude the race.

Tracker: https://pro.yb.tl/pm2026/
Details: https://www.palermo-montecarlo.it/en/