Projections and innovations for a growing industry
The Cluster Yachting Monaco convened a hundred yachting professionals and a fleet of yachts moored in the YCM Marina for its first Open Day 2024. The meeting was a chance to take stock of the sector as it stands and make forecasts for 2030. “The industry must set itself apart in the best possible way. Our Cluster is always cited as a reference and is one of the best in the world. We must keep up the momentum,” began Bernard d’Alessandri, Cluster Yachting Monaco President and General Secretary of the Yacht Club de Monaco.
Gourmet pleasures: superyacht chefs compete on creativity
All the best ingredients were there to ensure a successful 5th Superyacht Chef Competition, organised by Yacht Club de Monaco and Bluewater.
The Explorers Club of New York disembarks at Yacht Club de Monaco
Monaco Ocean Week
The 7th Monaco Ocean Week, orchestrated by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in partnership with the Monaco Government, the Monaco Oceanographic Institute and Monaco Scientific Centre is in full swing. It is a major international event at which Yacht Club de Monaco is responsible for the yachting element, introducing for the first time this year a Day of Exploration in collaboration with The Explorers Club of New York. For this special occasion, a delegation of around a hundred Americans have made the trip to the Principality to participate in a busy programme of meetings and discussions.
1st Explorer Dock
The Explorer Yachts at the Yacht Club of Monaco embody a passion for adventure and innovation, each designed to navigate beyond traditional boundaries and face the challenges of the oceans.
Navigating through flavours!
Monaco, 15th March 2024. The clock is ticking down to the 5th Superyacht Chef Competition, organised by Yacht Club de Monaco in partnership with Bluewater on 4th April 2024 under the aegis of YCM’s La Belle Classe Academy training centre. This internationally renowned celebration of the art of fine cuisine at sea puts the spotlight on an essential aspect of yachting professions. “Every year, this event brings together talented chefs from all over the world, ready to take up the challenge of creating unforgettable culinary experiences as a showcase of gastronomic excellence on superyachts, the Superyacht Chef Competition continues to make its mark on the yachting world while promoting the values of our collective ‘Monaco Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach,” says YCM General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri.
Marinas mobilise to progress the energy transition
In keeping with its public service remit, Yacht Club de Monaco under its President HSH Prince Albert II aims to position the Principality as a spearhead for responsible yachting in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Under the aegis of its collective Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting approach, YCM has become a platform of communication hosting international events like the Monaco Smart and Sustainable Marina Rendezvous; a unique in the world crossroads where financiers, politicians and innovators gather to progress concrete technological solutions applicable to marinas.
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.
Pierrik Devic and Noah Garcia rewarded | Sport and environment – YCM is committed on all fronts
YACHT CLUB DE MONACO WINTER COCKTAIL | YCM AWARDS – TROPHÉE CREDIT SUISSE 2022 | 21st December 2022
HSH Prince Albert II, president of the Yacht Club de Monaco, HE Mr Pierre Dartout and the great YCM family gathered for the traditional Winter Cocktail to celebrate the arrival of new members and reward its top sailors.
All the emotions of sport
Over the decades, Yacht Club de Monaco has become “a major player on the international yachting scene,” noted HSH Prince Albert II, its President since 1984, “establishing itself as a meeting point where big events converge contributing to the Principality’s reputation and influence”. Whether through its race members as proud ambassadors competing on seas all over the world or the quality of its organisation as organiser of prestige events, the Club takes centre stage when it comes to sport. It was an opportunity to look back on a busy and varied season, a highlight being the J/70 World Championship, and pay tribute to Pierrick Devic (Leonteq) who put in an excellent performance to clinch the J/70 World Vice-Champion title out of a 90-strong fleet from 23 nations and congratulate the silver medal in the One Pro category of Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda).
In 2022, YCM was also active offshore with two members on the start of the 12th Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe. Boris Herrmann (Malizia-Seaexplorer) and Oren Nataf (Rayon Vert) were competing in this legendary solo race, “We were very proud to have two boats flying the YCM flag on the start of this prestigious transatlantic,” continued the Sovereign. Boris Herrmann, skipper for Team Malizia founded by Pierre Casiraghi, will be heading for Alicante in Spain for the start on 15th January 2023 of The Ocean Race, a round the world in stages with crew.
The sea and sports events are fundamental to the Club which brings together the world’s best sailors, and this evening is a chance to honour them at the YCM Awards – Trophée Credit Suisse. This year’s ceremony was preceded by the awarding of a new distinction in the form of a chevron (bronze, silver and gold) by HSH Prince Albert II to all winners since the Awards were launched in 2005 as reward for consistently good results. The recipients present were: Dan Meyers (YCM Sailor of the Year in 2010), Igor Simčič (2012), Vladimir Prosikhin (2015), Pierre Casiraghi (2017), Kostia Belkin (2019), Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (2021) and Guido Miani (2008 and 2011).
And Sailor of the Year 2023 is …
Among nominees for the coveted YCM Awards – Credit Suisse Trophy (Sailor of the Year) were great helmsmen: Nico Poons, RC44 World Champion, Pierrik Devic, J/70 World Vice-Champion, Joost Schuijff, winner of the Rolex Middle Sea Race (Monohull Line of Honours), Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio, Swan36 European Vice-Champion, Vladimir Prosikhin, Melges 20 World Vice-Champion and Leonardo Ferragamo, Swan50 World Champion. This year’s trophy was awarded to Pierrik Devic, making his first appearance in the nominees, who stood out for his remarkable consistency all season in the J/70 class, in addition to his World Vice-Champion title. “I am very touched to receive this Award which I dedicate to my crew without whom I would not have won it. It represents 60 days on the water together. It’s a fixed team and I wanted from the start to create a good atmosphere on board. Above all, we are good friends who want to have fun on the water. It’s just magical”.
The evening starts with awards for the new generation and lifeblood of the YCM’s Sports Section. For the second time in his short career, young Noah Garcia won the cup. After shining in the Optimist class in 2019, this season he excelled in ILCA 4, including bagging the French Champion title, and says he “can’t wait to fly the YCM flag high at other meetings” next season. The cup adds to a track record that recalls that of the Monegasque kiteboarder, Alexander Ehlen, French Formula Kite Vice-Champion who has his sights set on the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Steeped in solidarity
YCM members Fabrice Papazian and François Miribel recalled their adventure in the Antarctic aboard the Boréal 47, Sir Ernst. “After spending nearly a month in the Antarctic as far as Marguerite Bay 67° South, we sailed in the Patagonia channels in the southern winter. We are getting ready to do another trip over there before heading back to the Mediterranean to prepare another polar expedition in two years’ time,” explained Sir Ernst’s owner, François Miribel. The first boat to take part in the citizen science bathymetry programme in partnership with the IHO as part of the Seabed 2030 project, Sir Ernst recorded depth measurements in places where no data had existed until now. The two sailors presented their book of photos, the proceeds of which will be donated to a research institute battling cancer in children. “This trip was important for these kids and their families. It is important to help them achieve their dreams,” said Fabrice Papazian. “This launch at the Club is very special for me as this is where I started sailing”.
Book to discover here: https://sirernst-expeditions.org/index.php/le-livre/
Writing history and the future
YCM has travelled a long way since its launch on 17th June 1953, reflecting the wishes of HSH Prince Rainier III who wanted the Principality to have a yacht club like those he visited when cruising on his boats. For the 70th anniversary, YCM has a string of events in store, including the 16th Monaco Classic Week (13-16 September 2023) which is set to be exceptional. This one-of-its-kind biennial honours our sailing maritime heritage by bringing together classic yachts, period motor yachts and vintage motorboats.
While the Club remains attached to the past, it continues its drive to shape the future with the 10th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (3-8 July 2023), a meeting for alternative power sources. The 10th edition is packed with new elements, including the first ever E-Boat Rally for electric boats available on the market, enabling a record number of builders to show the public what the future of pleasure boats looks like. Also of note is a new Mentoring Programme to get the yachting industry involved in supporting students. It complements the Job Forum initiative that gives these young engineers a great opportunity to get an internship or their first job.
The future is being written now for YCM which remains committed to the industry’s eco-transformation. In parallel to the SEA Index, a rating to assess superyacht CO2 emissions and the YCM Explorer Awards that recognise owners for eco aspects of the design and how they use their yacht, in 2023 the Club will host the first Monaco Smart Yacht Rendezvous (23-24 March 2023).
At the dawn of a new year and the 70th celebrations, YCM intends to maintain its course on major sporting, environmental and innovative projects, under the aegis of the Monaco Capital of Advanced Yachting approach, to contribute to development of sustainable yachting.
11th Environmental Symposium – La Belle Classe Superyachts: ‘Yachting with sense’
Monaco Ocean Week (20-25 March 2022)
Friday 25th March. As part of Monaco Ocean Week (20-25 March 2022), Yacht Club de Monaco was in charge of the yachting component during a week organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Monaco Government, in partnership with the Monaco Oceanographic Institute & Monaco Scientific Centre. The purpose was to progress thinking on how to protect the environment.
Oceanographers, captains, expedition leaders, biologists and maritime experts gathered to share their experiences and analyses on the theme ‘Yachting with sense’.The 11th Environmental Symposium was the scene of intense discussions on one of the most vulnerable regions that is attracting increasing numbers of visitors: the Antarctic.
American oceanographer and explorer, Sylvia Earle, an iconic leader in ocean preservation was on the panel, and who better to kick off the discussions. Referred to in jest as “Her Deepness”, a reference to the many records in exploration she has set during a long career, Sylvia Earle returned to the need to protect the ocean, so vital to life on Earth: “Let’s not take nature for granted,” she reminded the audience.
The last continent to be discovered and then explored, the Antarctic is drawing in the crowds while also being the region most threatened by global warming.