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

“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!

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.

300+ sailors and 12 nations in competition

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?

rena 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.

G-Spot unbeatable

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.

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

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.

Croats triumph

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.