Under the impetus of the Pink Waves, a group of around 50 women sailors from the Yacht Club de Monaco who come together to share their passion for sailing, the Y.C.M. is organizing an all-female J/70 event in collaboration with the Monegasque and French Sailing Federations. Registration is limited to the first 20 teams of a maximum of 5 female sailors.
Every year, the Trophée Virginie Heriot attracts a multitude of participants, from experienced racers to novices. Teams come from a variety of nationalities, creating an environment rich in cultural exchange and shared experience. These women, driven by their passion for the sea, compete in a spirit of camaraderie and solidarity. The diversity of skills contributes to making this event a true celebration of women’s sailing.
The event takes place on J/70s. This popular yacht is a one-design, which means that all the boats are built to the same specifications to guarantee equal performance during the regattas. Launched in 2012 by J/Boats, the J/70 has rapidly become one of the most widely used keelboats in competition. The Monaco Yacht Club boasts one of the largest fleets in the Mediterranean.
It is an international J/70 regatta exclusively for women, organised by Yacht Club de Monaco under the aegis of the Monegasque and French Sailing Federations. This annual event owes its success to the commitment of Pink Wave, a collective of YCM women sailors, and attracts top-level female crews from around the world. The regatta pays tribute to Virginie Hériot, the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in sailing at the 1928 Amsterdam Games, and a pioneering figure who was nicknamed "Madame de la Mer" (Lady of the Sea).
The regatta is held in the bay of Monaco, usually in March, with three days of competition.
The Virginie Hériot Trophy is open to women's J/70 crews from national and international clubs. The event welcomes experienced sailors and developing teams alike in an environment that promotes performance and progress on every level.
Registration is limited to the first 20 teams of a maximum of five female sailors. 2025 saw teams from Great Britain, the United States, Switzerland, Germany, France and Monaco competing, confirming the event's international status.
The competition takes place in several phases:
A qualifying phase in which teams are divided into groups,
- the Gold and Silver fleets depending on the results,
- and a Bronze fleet.
Every morning lots are drawn to determine how boats are allocated to ensure a fair contest, with the emphasis being on crew skills and teamwork.
This regatta stands out for its:
- its exclusively female format;
- its tribute to a historic figure in sailing;
- its international level;
- its commitment to raising the profile of women in competitive sailing.
It is fully in line with the 'Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting' initiative promoted by the Yacht Club de Monaco.
Pink Wave is a group of female sailors from Yacht Club de Monaco who play a key role in developing women's sailing. They compete on numerous international circuits and are behind the Virginie Hériot Trophy project, playing a leading role in its organisation and promotion.
Monaco Bay offers:
- a variety of technical sailing conditions,
- excellent views of the action from the shore,
- an internationally recognised organisation.
These criteria make Monaco an ideal venue for a top-class women's regatta, promoting performance and fairness, and a high profile for women’s sailing.
The races can be watched from the quays and seawall. The Yacht Club de Monaco publishes results, photos and videos on its official media channels and website at the end of each day.
The event aims to:
- promote high-level women's sailing,
- provide a challenging and fair sporting environment,
- promote female role models in sailing,
- establish the competition as an international event for the long-term.
Registration is via the Yacht Club de Monaco, either by invitation or through the selection process described in the official Notice of Race.
Sports Events
sportevents@ycm.org
+377 93 10 65 05
