By 1700 local time, the yachts were stacked along the Royal Yacht Squadron–style line just off the Promenade des Anglais. A light but steady eight-knot breeze carried the salt tang across the crowded shoreline as the race horns sounded. Out came the big sails, crews grinding hard to squeeze every ounce of pace as they vied for clear air on the short reach toward Monaco and the first points on offer.