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.
Croats triumph
Monaco Optimist Team Race | 11-15 January 2023
Sunday 15th January 2023 – The boats are back on dry land at the end of the 13th Monaco Optimist Team Race, an international regatta for the team racing elite in this class, organised by Yacht Club de Monaco with support of FxPro, technical clothing supplier SLAM, boatyard Erplast and Peace and Sport. With 16 nations and 64 under-14 sailors racing, the event reflects a sports policy led by YCM where “transmission is one of our core values but also central to our Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting approach,” said YCM General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri.
First win for the Croats
The grand finale played out between America and Croatia kept the suspense going from start to finish throughout this event. Having got out of the starting blocks in fine style, the Americans fell at the last hurdle on this final day ceding victory to the Croatian team, having won it twice, in 2020 and 2022. But it was the outstanding control and consistency of the JKU Deep Blue team from Croatia who emerged victorious. “It was difficult as we are a small club, and to beat America’s national team is a really big deal. We lost the first race in the final so we had to calm down and refocus our efforts to win the next two matches,” explained one of the delighted team.
Americans on route for third victory
Monaco Optimist Team Race | 11-15 January 2023
Saturday 13th January 2023 What a day it’s been for contestants in the Monaco Optimist Team Race who gave their all in a brisk 10-knot easterly breeze with back to back races until darkness fell to advance in the round robin phase. A total of 57 match races were held here in Monaco today, Saturday.
American class
Outstanding when it comes to speed, America’s national team seem unstoppable as they pulled off a string of victories, a few tacks being enough for them to extricate themselves from tactical traps set by the competition. Note that USA have already won this event twice – in 2022 and 2020.
Hot on their heels are the Swedes in a provisional 2nd place, keeping a weather eye always on the Croats, relegated this evening to 3rd but remaining serious contenders to win it. The young sailors from JKU Deep Blue are indeed real “blockers” and have clearly mastered team racing rules.
Heads out
The important thing is to stay totally focused throughout the races which last an average eight to ten minutes. Keeping your head out the boat to anticipate the opposing team’s manœuvres is key to gaining the upper hand. The Monegasques have grasped this concept and are foiling the forecasts by sticking close to the leaders. Currently lying 5th Yacht Club de Monaco youngsters must “focus on each match race as it comes and continue to communicate as they’ve been doing and not focus on the result,” explains their coach Margaux Meslin.
The round robin phase continues and ends tomorrow as does the event. It all starts at 10.00am.
Transmission a flagship for Yacht Club de Monaco
Monaco Optimist Team Race | 11-15 January 2023
Friday 12th January 2023 – An international regatta, the Monaco Optimist Team Race attracts young sailors from all walks of life. Dedicated to the team racing elite in this class, the event is fully in line with the ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach underpinning the Club’s international ambitions. Under its public service remit, YCM plays an important role in promoting the Principality and pursuing the twin goals of education and sport.
Monaco Optimist Team Race: values without borders
Its original format of teams of four Optimists puts the emphasis on techniques, tactics and a spirit of solidarity, as it requires these young people to make split second tactical decisions that can radically impact their team’s results. At the end of day two and after 49 encounters, the final podium is starting to take shape, as the Croats and Americans prove their expertise in the discipline. With two matches won against Ireland and Switzerland, the Monegasque team is in the middle ranking.
Beyond competition, it is a great opportunity for them to meet sailing enthusiasts of their own age who share these same values while having fun. “It’s a unique event founded on teamwork and sharing. The kids are at the centre of it all and the goal is for them to improve their techniques,” says Paolo Ghione who heads the Competition unit in YCM’s Sports Section, adding “the idea is also to forge links between clubs”. This is a key factor for YCM which is twinned with 15 prestigious clubs and has reciprocal arrangements with around 60 others worldwide.
Transmission: a big challenge to guarantee the future
Through three of its units (Competition, Education and Events), the Sports Section has a three-pronged role to play in bringing on new generations. From the start it made it a point of honour to welcome all youngsters in the Principality. Sailing courses (in partnership with Monaco’s Education Department), week-long SeAdventure Camps in school holidays to raise awareness of the marine environment, and lessons to fine tune skills and compete keep the instructors and coaches busy. “The Yacht Club is a school for life and we support them on this journey, giving them a host of opportunities, not only in sport but life in general,” adds Paolo Ghione.
Transmission is also at work among adults with lessons on Smeralda 888s and J/70s, the result in the latter class being the formation of an all-women’s team of pros and beginners called Pink Wave.
Not just content to encourage a new generation into sailing, YCM also supports luxury yachting professionals with its La Belle Classe Academy training centre. The Club is also regularly called upon to transmit its values and expertise, particularly by new destinations, working towards obtaining its La Belle Classe Destinations certification.
Sights set on excellence
Keen to give young athletes their very best shot, YCM has several projects on the go according to Paolo: “We have several ongoing high level projects including Alexander Ehlen in kitesurfing. This year is an exceptionally busy one for him as he aims to qualify for the Paris Olympics in 2024”. All the evidence proves Yacht Club de Monaco is passionate about flying the Principality’s flag high at all levels.