Yachting & gastronomy: a recipe for success
For the last four years, chefs working on superyachts have met at Yacht Club de Monaco to compete in the Superyacht Chef Competition, a culinary contest organised by YCM in partnership with Bluewater. The principle is simple: bring nine chefs together and watch them work their magic at stations inspired by the restricted space of galleys on some yachts. “Under the aegis of the Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting collective and YCM’s La Belle Classe Academy training centre, the event attracts the professionals but also the public who love to watch chefs passionate about their craft. It’s a chance to lift the veil on another facet of professions in yachting,” explains YCM General Secretary, Bernard d’Alessandri.
Honouring forward-looking owners
3rd YCM Explorer Awards by La Belle Classe Superyachts | Thursday 23rd March 2023
Thursday 23rd March 2023. Reflections on conserving and protecting the marine environment took centre stage during Monaco Ocean Week, organised on the initiative of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation alongside the Monaco Government, Monaco Oceanographic Institute and Monaco Scientific Centre. At this year’s event, Yacht Club de Monaco ran the debates again for the superyacht sector, on Thursday 23rd March, a highlight of which is the YCM Explorer Awards by La Belle Classe Superyachts, held under the collective Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting brand.
This year, in paying tribute to a long tradition of exploration and innovation initiated by Prince Albert I and the strong links he had with music, the meeting opened with pianist Vincent Forestier and violinist Fabrizio Von Arx playing a 1720 Stradivarius, ‘The Angel’, an exceptional, rare instrument reflecting the unique-of-its-kind 3rd YCM Explorer Awards.
Urging a more responsible yachting industry through alternative energy sources, innovation and collaboration
12th Environmental Symposium | Thursday 23rd March 2023
Thursday 23rd March 2023. “Yachting is not like any other industry. There is a passion associated that is very strong and we must keep this in mind to find acceptable solutions. We need to build the future of yachting in a reasonable way. And that is the whole point of us all being here today,” began Bernard d’Alessandri, YCM General Secretary and President of Cluster Yachting Monaco opening the 12th Environmental Symposium. Organised under the collective Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting brand on Yachting Day, run by YCM during the 6th Monaco Ocean Week, the meeting focused on the upcoming 10th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge.
The over-arching objective is to open the debate by mixing industry players with students to highlight actions being taken. Alternative energy sources, innovation and efficiency anchored discussions on sustainability in the sector and need to involve not only new generation engineers but the whole industry.
Yachting industry mobilised for sustainable future
Monaco Ocean Week Yachting Days (23-24 March 2023)
As every year, Yacht Club de Monaco is in charge of the Yachting Day, under the aegis of the collective Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting brand, during the 6th Monaco Ocean Week (20-26 March 2023). This is an initiative of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation alongside the Monaco Government, the Monaco Oceanographic Institute and Monaco Scientific Centre.
“Yachting faces major changes. A modernisation has become inevitable, and those involved in the sector are mobilised to initiate this evolution through research and bringing on new solutions,” says Bernard d’Alessandri, General Secretary of YCM and President of Cluster Yachting Monaco. “The assessment phase is over, we must act now with pragmatic solutions like the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and brings young engineers together with industry professionals to present and test their innovations in propulsion”.
To this end, a packed programme of events open to all (registration required) takes place Thursday 23rd March dedicated to the future of a more eco-responsible yachting industry.
9.00am-12.30pm: 12th Environmental Symposium La Belle Classe Superyachts: ‘Encouraging Sustainability in Yachting, engaging the industry and new generation of engineers’
2.00pm: 27th Captains’ Forum: ‘Superyacht Commitment: Management, Leadership & Mentoring’
3.30pm: Monaco Smart Yacht Rendezvous
6.30pm: 3rd YCM Explorer Awards by La Belle Classe Superyachts
12th Environmental Symposium La Belle Classe Superyachts: sustainability for industry players
A must-do fixture in the calendar for all those involved in the industry, the focus of this 12th Environmental Symposium is on the 10th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge to take stock of alternative energy sources and their efficiency for superyachts. The theme ‘Encouraging Sustainability in Yachting, engaging the industry and new generation of engineers’ will highlight initiatives underway to give owners and the industry keys to a more eco-responsible approach, and to present a Sailing Yacht Zero scenario, hulls of the future and progress on electric and hydrogen/electric hybrid propulsion systems.
International one design elite dominate 39th edition
39th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse – Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – Act IV | 2-5 March 2023
Sunday 3rd March 2023. The curtain fell on the 39th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse in partnership with Sebago, Monaco City Hall and clothing supplier SLAM who every year awards the top three teams with sailing gear. Twelve nations, 300-plus sailors and three classes gathered for this one design regatta that has become a classic since its launch by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco in 1985. In all 15 Smeralda 888s, a dozen Longtze Premiers and over 50 J/70s raced in this event which also doubles as the fourth and final Act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series.
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J/70: unexpected twist at the top
Idyllic conditions continued to the final day with a steady 8 knots more than enough for teams to get the maximum potential from their boats. In the J/70, YCM’s Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio’s G-Spot appeared all but unbeatable in the first four races before conceding final victory to the Italians on Alice. “The level was high, first given the presence of so many boats in the Monaco J/70 Class Association, but also top Italian and Swiss teams,” noted the G-Spot helmsman. Alessandro Molla’s Viva completed the podium. In the Corinthian (amateur) category, the Swiss on Aiola snatched top step of the podium ahead of the Brits on Brutus and the Swiss on Rhubarbe-3Nuits.com.
Idyllic conditions!
39th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse – Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – Act IV | 2-5 March 2023
Saturday 4th March 2023. Four races were completed in a lovely southwesterly breeze on the second day of the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse. Organised under the aegis of the collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach, in partnership with Sebago, Monaco City Hall and clothing supplier SLAM who rewards the top three teams with sailing gear, once again Yacht Club de Monaco pulled out all the stops for the 300 sailors competing in three classes.
Congratulations!
There are days when all conditions are met from start to finish, with a flat azure blue sea, a steady 8-10 knot southwesterly and unchanging course. In the J/70 class, competing here for the fourth and final Act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, it was impossible to ignore talents such as those on G-Spot. With an XXL career and finest track record of the event, YCM’s Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-Spot) led with a masterful hand, his crew working in perfect harmony to take the lead in the provisional ranking, a comfortable nine points ahead of two Italian teams on Alice and Viva. In the Corinthian (amateur) category the Swiss on Rhubarbe-3Nuits.com top the leaderboard ahead of the French on Sage Engineers and the Swiss on Quarter2Eleven.
A level playing field required all teams to be at the top of their game, and after a few general recalls the fleet settled down to concentrate on the race and impeccable procedures.
300+ sailors and 12 nations in competition
39th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse – Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – Act IV | 2-5 March 2023
Thursday 2nd March 2023. One of the great Mediterranean classics, since its launch in 1985 by HSH Prince Albert II, President of the Yacht Club de Monaco, in partnership with Sebago and Monaco’s City Hall, the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse has hosted the cream of one design racing. This year again over 300 sailors have chosen to kick off their season in Monaco.
With a record 15 Smeralda 888s, a dozen Longtze Premiers and nigh-on 60 J/70s competing the regatta maintains its reputation as a major event. All crew members on the winning teams receive sailing garments from technical clothing supplier SLAM at this regatta which also serves as the fourth and final Act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series.
10th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series: who will claim final victory?
With 55 teams in the J/70 class the jury is out on who will be the overall winner of this 10th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series. Currently led by YCM’s Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda), World Vice-Champion in the class (One Pro category), this series of monthly regattas from November to March gathers top international teams. He is followed in the ranking by Pierrik Devic (Leonteq), World Vice-Champion in the Open category, and Louis Samuel Poons (Charisma V) on the third step of this provisional podium. The top trio will have to keep a close eye on the talented crew on G-Sport led by Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio who won the previous two Acts.
All set for 18th edition
After an exciting edition last year, the Palermo-Montecarlo 2023 offshore race in August is all set to go with publication of the Notice of Race and arrival of the first registrations.
Organised by Circolo della Vela Sicilia, in partnership with Yacht Club de Monaco and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the race has been a must on the calendar since it launched in 2005. It quickly established itself as a major offshore classic in the Mediterranean thanks to finely tuned organisation and attendance by some of the world’s fastest and most beautiful boats.
As tradition dictates, the start is scheduled for 12 noon, Tuesday 22nd August, from the Gulf of Mondello in Sicily to the Principality of Monaco. On the programme, a circa 500 nautical mile course with a tactically crucial gate before the Strait of Bonifacio. The 18th Palermo-Montecarlo is again one of the stages in the Italian Offshore Championship organised by the Italian Sailing Federation, as well as of the International Maxi Association’s Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge and the Class40 Mediterranean Trophy.
“We can now speak of the Palermo-Montecarlo as a “classic”, as we approach the 20th anniversary and given the ever higher standard of boats and crews who participate each year. For this edition, we hope to see lots of owners taking part and anyone who loves sailing,” says Agostino Randazzo, President of Circolo della Vela Sicilia, the club supporting Team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli in the 37th America’s Cup.
Last year’s Palermo-Montecarlo proved triumphant for French sailing, with two boats from the Société Nautique de Marseille winning both major trophies: Jean-Pierre Dreau’s Mylius 60 Lady First III which won the Giuseppe Tasca d’Almerita Trophy, while Dominique Tian’s Ker 46 Tonnerre de Glen clinched the Angelo Randazzo Perpetual Challenge Trophy.
G-Spot unbeatable
Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – Act III | 02-05 février 2023
Saturday 4th February 2023. The nigh on 40 international boats competing in Act 3 of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series enjoyed another beautiful day on this second day of racing. It goes without saying that these monthly regattas organised by Yacht Club de Monaco are enjoying superb weather conditions. With a 10-knot southwesterly, sun shining and another two races under the belts it confirms Monaco’s reputation as a must-do destination for one designs.
Serena di Lapigio in his element
Raw talent comes to the fore again on this highly technical and demanding race area. No question of turning backs on the slightest wind shift on this course, total concentration is key. The second day again called on all the skills and consistency of sailors, a game mastered by YCM’s Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G–Spot) as evidenced by his 2nd and 3rd places.
Heir to a great talent
Only one change of tempo noted in the rankings after a sensational performance by the crew on Charisma led by Louis Samuel Poons, son of YCM’s brilliant helmsman, Nico Poons. Clearly, that master touch on the helm has been handed down from father to son.
With a name like Louis Samuel Poons he carries high hopes for the future and his entry into the J/70 class confirms it. This evening, he’s in 2nd place in the provisional overall ranking.
G-Spot tops ranking
Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – Act III | 2-5 February 2023
Friday 3rd February 2023. An important element of Yacht Club de Monaco’s sports policy, the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series of monthly regattas for pros and amateurs continues to attract the J/70 heavyweights. This third and penultimate act attracted a fleet of some 40 boats representing eight nationalities, the majority of whom are here to prepare for the coming season at the highest level.
A great start
After winning the previous meeting and always quick off the mark from the start, Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-Spot) lived up to his reputation by bagging 1st place in the provisional ranking of Act 3. An excellent start that bodes well for the next two days of racing.
In his wake other Monegasque teams kept up the pace during the two races completed in a light 6-knot southerly that left no room for improvisation. Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda) and Ferdinando Matteo Scandolera (Irruenza) complete the first day’s podium, with Irruenza also leading the Corinthian (amateur) category ahead of two Swiss teams.
YCM sailors are not known for doing half-measures and being familiar with tricky conditions regularly occupy leaderboard positions at regattas in Monaco’s bay.
Rendezvous tomorrow Saturday 4th February for the first warning signal at 11.00am.