70 years of highlights

Saturday 24th June 2023. Passion and performance have been part of life at the Yacht Club de Monaco since its launch in 1953. Seventy years later, the YCM family met again at the traditional Summer Cocktail under the presidency of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and attended by Monaco Mayor Georges Marsan. It was the 105th members cocktail. Around 1,500 people joined them on the quays to celebrate this very special and festive occasion which was also an opportunity to officially welcome 30 new members and promote highlights of this anniversary year.

‘Art de Vivre la Mer’ a symbol of excellence

A venue for exchanges, having fun and learning new skills, Yacht Club de Monaco “has managed to preserve and pass on maritime traditions while encouraging innovation and change in yachting,” said the Sovereign who wanted to pay tribute to his father, Prince Rainier III who gave the Principality an institution that would bring together all those who love the sea. “His vision was to make YCM an exclusive place where yachting was appreciated and celebrated, thereby contributing to the promotion of Destination Monaco”. Recalling the very early years of what was to become one of the largest yacht clubs in the world, HSH Prince Albert II also paid tribute to all those who have played such key roles in developing the Club in the image of its founding members, previous presidents and of course all its members today.

Protecting the oceans a priority

“Convinced that it is vital to protect the ocean, I want environmental issues to be a priority,” added the YCM President. “We must continue to be a beacon for the nautical industry”, recalling the role played by the Club and YCM Marina over the years in an eco-transition as willing demonstrators of new eco-responsible solutions. “We must all pull together in this mobilisation,” insisted HSH Prince Albert II. “It is in this spirit that we work in concert with the southern PACA region for an exemplary Mediterranean”.

All these actions echo the commitments of the collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach that is reflected in the many events organised by YCM, like the 10th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (3-8 July 2023). Over 500 young engineers representing 25 nations and 25 universities will meet industry professionals including major players like Oceanco, Ferretti, Sanlorenzo, Lürssen, Monaco Marine and Palumbo SY Refit. For this 10th anniversary event for alternative new energy solutions, in a partnership with Aqua superPower, the first YCM Boat Rally will gather electric boats already on the market.  It being one of the solutions for the future of leisure boats, the goal is to give a record number of builders a chance to demonstrate the potential of their boats on this 21 nautical mile rally from Monaco to Ventimiglia and back.

And there’s no let up as YCM is set to host the 3rd Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous (24-25 September) which promotes innovative solutions to develop eco-designed marinas.

YCM a symbol of performance

YCM is widely represented by its members on race areas all over the world and also contributes to the Principality’s influence through its sports policy. The Club has many ambassadors including the IMOCA Malizia-Seaexplorer of Team Malizia founded by YCM Vice-President Pierre Casiraghi. After its six-month campaign on The Ocean Race round the world, the sailboat will call into Monaco on 5th July. Then it will be the turn of YCM’s flagship Tuiga, currently in the middle of a series of regattas in England, which will be at Monaco Classic Week-La Belle Classe in September (13-16 September 2023).

 

The members cocktail is also a chance to congratulate the Club’s athletes, like Alexander Ehlen who is busy with kiteboarding events in his bid to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Sovereign also congratulated Peter Harburg for his win in the 70th Rolex Giraglia, and the two gold medallists at the recent Small States of Europe Games, Noah Garcia in the Laser class, and Boris Jeremenko, YCM’s valet service manager. “Proof that competitive sport is very much in the DNA of all YCM members and teams”.

As the Sovereign concluded: “The Yacht Club de Monaco has a history and values of which we are all the heirs. Today I am counting on you to look to the future and be determined to play your role. Together, voluntarily and with optimism, let us write new chapters around our motto ‘One Spirit, One Team, One Club’.”

 

Results: www.ycm.org

Press contacts Tel: +377 93 10 64 09 – Fax: +377 93 50 80 88 – Email: presse@ycm.org

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