To encourage R&D and development of sustainable yachting
It was as part of Monaco Ocean Week that the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Yacht Club de Monaco officially announced a new prize for the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (https://energyboatchallenge.com/) that marks a new milestone in their partnership and was attended by Mike Horn and Bertrand Piccard, the event’s sponsor.
Under the aegis of the collective Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting approach and organised by YCM, this event brings maritime industry pioneers together with visionary engineers around a common goal: to promote alternative propulsion and sustainability in the yachting sector. On the programme, a unique convergence of boats already on or about to enter the market and innovative prototypes. “Every year, students surpass themselves. They are an amazing source of ideas. It is fascinating to see their potential and we are happy to put them in contact with industry players who are a great support for these young engineers,” says YCM General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri.
5th for YCM
After the Hansa North Cup held in Berk end of March, Yacht Club de Monaco was on the start lines of another regatta for sailors with a disability (Handivoile) as part of its proactive policy to promote sailing for all. The duo Alexandre Richard-Nicolas Lelu were in Saint-Raphaël to compete in a Handivoile League Championship event. After five races in two days the Monegasque team came in 5th. A great start.
Catalan port of call for YCM’s gaff cutter
Yacht Club de Monaco’s flagship, Tuiga, has just cast off from the Real Club Nautica in Barcelona, a club twinned with YCM, for the Ocean Decade Conference 10-12 April 2024.
This Tuesday 9th April, Monaco Explorations in partnership with MedPAN, The MedFund, SPA/RAC, Monk Seal Alliance and Yacht Club de Monaco has organised a satellite event unveiling its latest Mediterranean expedition. On the programme: networking, round tables in Barcelona’s World Trade Centre, inauguration of an exhibition on Marine Protected Areas supported by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, and a guided tour of Tuiga for Catalan pupils, attended by the Sovereign.
World Cup ambitions
Traditionally the Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca kick starts the season. But this being Olympic year several classes had already taken advantage of the early months of 2024 to get their World and European Championships in. Yet it was this Spanish meeting where ten Olympic classes turned out to race on one race area for a dress rehearsal before the summer’s big event.
Second stage of season for the Smeraldas
For the second stage of the season the Smeralda 888 fleet were to be found in Alassio for the Trofeo Luigi Carpaneda (non-championship regatta), with seven teams completing nine races in a 5-10 knot breeze. As always it was a hotly contested regatta for these highly experienced sailors, won by YCCS’s Germano Scarpa and his team on Giada followed by Luigi Guarnaccia (Capocaccia) with Yacht Club de Monaco’s Timofey Sukhotin completing the podium on Beda. Another YCM member, Roberto Tamburelli (Botta Dritta) came in 5th ahead of Andrea Startari (Gorilla Gang) 5th and Matteo Noferi (Kzi Mo d’Eau) 7th. Next up for the Smeralda 888 fleet is Saint Tropez from 19-21 April for the Hippocampe Cup.
Hansa North Cup – Berck
Sixty teams from different nationalities were on the start of this regatta for sailors with a disability, including two teams from Yacht Club de Monaco. The round robin phases held on the Saturday served to separate the fleet into Gold, Silver and Bronze groups.
Three days of friendly but fierce competition, passion and motivation followed, with the two Monegasque teams coming 11th in the Gold and 9th in the Silver.
YCM represented in the Caribbean
The Bucket Regatta took place 21-24 March in Saint-Barthélemy where Yacht Club de Monaco’s flag was flying high on Caribbean waters. Nearly a thousand sailors had converged on this tiny island for three days of competition. Thirty boats were competing in seven categories in ideal weather conditions with sunny skies and a steady wind. Yacht Club de Monaco was well represented on the start and even better at the finish where member Joerg Wolfgang Wolle clinched a superb 2nd place on Vijonara in the D category. Frayda Lindemann’s Adela also did well coming 5th in the E group.
Ladies at the helm
Saturday 16th March 2024 – Part of its ongoing commitment to developing year-round sailing for everyone, Yacht Club de Monaco is organising its 2nd Woman Leading and Sailing Trophy. In a collaboration with the French and Monegasque Sailing Federations and partnerships with FxPro and Slam, the J/70 regatta is an all-female affair.
This latest initiative, driven by the dynamic Pink Wave, a large group of competitive YCM sailors formed five years ago, was a great success last year. For this 2024 edition, the event has grown with 20 teams representing 13 nations gathered in Monaco.
When the ladies take centre stage in Monaco
Following a highly successful first edition last year, Yacht Club de Monaco is organising the 2nd all-female Woman Leading and Sailing Trophy on J/70s. “This competition had a great impact last year and it seemed only logical to continue the adventure and open it up to more teams,” says YCM General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri. Held under the aegis of the collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach, in collaboration with the French and Monegasque Sailing Federations and in partnership with FxPro and Slam, the regatta will welcome 90 sailors from around the world.
Triumphs & Innovations at the 40th Primo Cup – Trophée UBS
With wind conditions oscillating between 8 to 18 knots, the 40th Primo Cup-Trophée UBS proved tense and exciting for the 400 sailors and 10 nations competing as they showcased their mastery of racing tactics in J/70, Smeralda 888, Longtze Premier and Cape 31. Greeted by YCM’s President HSH Prince Albert II at the opening ceremony, all present discovered the coveted Perpetual Trophy, made by Buccellati and engraved with the 32 winners of the event in the best represented classes from the last four decades.