Testing conditions for all those taking part in the Primo Cup, Copyright: Carlo Borlenghi

Opening the event, Prince Albert II commended participants on their resoluteness in tackling the tricky conditions. While Italian teams turned out in droves, it was France who won a total to five podium places, followed by the hosts of the event, Monaco, who won two podium slots in the Smeralda 888 class.

Excitement ran high in the Smeralda 888 race, which was won in the last few metres by a French-English team, sailing under the colours of Monaco, on board Bear Essentials. It was a rare occasion considering the previous weekend saw Bear Essential's skipper and Primo Cup regular, Francois Brenac, winning the J24 group with his team on St Andrews Insecurities. The highly contested second place went to fellow Monégasque, Guido Miani, with his crew on Fire. Despite leading the race for some time, Italy's Mascalzone Latino, led by Achille Onorato, hit difficulty just before the finish line, eventually taking third place.

The windiest and most international race, the Longtze Premier, saw France win yet another victory as Marseille-man, Laurent Abignolli, took first place aboard Tendrisse. Newcomer to the event, Abignolli spoke to the press following his win saying it was "the best reward for months of training". Alain Marchand from Switzerland took second place on Ettocinque while Russian Jarmo Wieland came in third with his crew on Shensu.

Despite being a new addition to the Primo Cup series, the IRC race had the highest number of entries but resulted in an all-French podium. First and second place winner were neck and neck throughout the competition but Midivoiles's team of sisters, Zoé, Lea and Eve, stole victory from Primo Cup-veteran Cyril Baillie on Sayann Madraco in the last few moments. Adrien Follin aboard Give me 5 came in third, completing the fully Francophone podium.

With this year's competition already over, officials at the Monaco Yacht Club have already planned next year's sailing calendar. The 29th Primo Cup will be held over the first two weeks in February next year; 1st – 3rd and then 8th – 10th.

The bay of Monaco will also play host to the J24 European Championships in October 2012.

In other sailing news, Monégasque duo, Blandine Médecin and Jean Rodelato, have won the Transquada competition that follows a course between Cascais (Portugal) and Le Marin (Martinique). The couple have called it a "spell-bounding journey".

Elsa Carpenter