Make way for the Monaco Optimist Team Race (January 11-15) » PACA’s economic and political newsletter
Intense program of festivities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Yacht Club de Monaco.
Monaco Optimist Team Race (11-15 January): Honoring young sailors
Tuesday January 10, 2023 – The start of the year marks the start of an extremely rich season for the Yacht Club de Monaco, which is celebrating the 70e anniversary of its creation by Prince Rainier III. Chaired by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco since 1984, this private club pursues its public service delegation mission by offering renowned events to promote the destination. The content of the calendar lives up to the ambition “Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting”, an approach initiated by the YCM to position the Principality as a center of excellence for this sector. Top-level sport, the environment, luxury yachting and maritime heritage will thus be honored throughout this anniversary year.
13e Monaco Optimist Team Race (January 11-15): Youth get the ball rolling
The kick-off of the festivities will be given tomorrow: Wednesday January 11 with the 13e Monaco Optimist Team Race, which brings together the international elite of team-racing racing in Optimists. 16 nations represented by 64 sailors aged under 14 made the trip, won over by the format of this unique event. Organized as a match race, the encounters resemble a duel in teams of four; as opposed to fleet regatta. 120 rounds are scheduled on the Monegasque course which requires finesse and tactical mastery. To enter the competition as well as possible and perfect their knowledge of team racing, competitors already on site can take part in an International Clinic (January 9-11), headed by Chris Atkins.
Spotlight on one-design with the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series (February 2-5 & March 2-5) and the Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse (March 2-5)
At the start of the year, the best J/70 crews, who have established their preparation base in the Principality, will meet once again for the rest of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series on the occasion of the 3e to act. This series of monthly regattas has been an unmissable event in the winter calendar of international crews for 10 years now. The debates promise to be tight for the fleet, led for the moment by the Monegasque crew of Junda by Ludovico Fassitelli followed by Graeme Peterson (Moonlight II) and Stefano Roberti (piccinina), also from YCM
To mark the end of the winter season, the J/70s will meet for a fourth and final time on the 4e act (March 2-5), weekend during which the 39e Primo Cup-Credit Suisse Trophy which will bring together the Smeralda 888, the Longtze Premier alongside the RS 21. Launched in 1985 at the instigation of HSH Prince Albert II, President of the YCM, this regatta equipped with technical clothing from the equipment manufacturer Slam has since established itself as the largest European one-design gathering in the Mediterranean.
Monaco Ocean Week (March 20-26): the Yachting section led by the Yacht Club de Monaco
During Monaco Ocean Week, organized by the Prince Albert II Foundation alongside the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco and the Scientific Center of Monaco, the YCM was entrusted with the yachting component of this week dedicated to the protection of the oceans. Four events will thus follow one another on Thursday March 23 within the YCM, starting with the 12e Environmental Symposium dedicated to 10e Monaco Energy Boat Challenge and which will respond to the theme ” Encouraging the future of more responsible Yachting “. This highlight will precede the Captains Forum, a meeting bringing together owners, captains and leaders of the super-yacht industry. This 27e edition will respond to the following theme : “ Commitment of super-yachts between management, leadership and supervision “.
After the success of its Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous, whose next event will take place at the YCM on September 24 and 25, M3 (Monaco Marina Management) is launching the first Meet Monaco Smart Yacht, a networking event that will continue until Friday March 24, ending with the presentation of the Smart Innovative Yacht Awards. This meeting, which benefits from the support of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Credit Suisse and the expertise of Blumorpho, a specialist in innovation for the sustainable economy, makes it possible to involve the entire ecosystem. to make it more virtuous by promoting exchanges and bringing innovations that can bring about major changes in the sector.
Thursday, March 23 ends with the presentation of the 3e YCM Explorer Awards by La Belle Classe Superyachts. Organized under the chairmanship of HSH Prince Albert II, since 2019 this ceremony has rewarded shipowners who have distinguished themselves by their commitment to the preservation of the Marine Environment, both in the design of their Yacht and during their navigation. Awarded by a jury of professionals, several prizes are honored: Technology & Innovation, Mediation & Science, Adventure & Environmental Ethics. These awards make it possible to distinguish these men and women, who as true explorers of tomorrow perpetuate this “Art of Living by the Sea” which is at the heart of the fundamental values of the Club.
The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (July 3-8) celebrates its 10th anniversary
Contributing to building the yachting of tomorrow is one of the priorities for the YCM, which is leading this ambition through the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, the meeting place for new alternative energies. For 10 years, this event has brought together young engineers from schools and universities around the world by putting them in touch with players in the yachting industry. The objective is to allow their creativity, their applicant to develop alternative eco-responsible propulsion systems so that everyone can, ultimately, exchange their knowledge in Open Source. This 10e edition will be full of novelties with the organization, in collaboration with Aqua superPower, of the first E-Boat Rally of electric boats available on the market, allowing a record number of manufacturers of electric units to show the public what appeared ‘Future of boating. Also note the implementation of a mentoring program to encourage support for students by industry professionals. This program completes the Job Forum initiative which allows these young engineers to obtain internship or first job opportunities.
Monaco Classic Week – La Belle Classe (13-16 September): the charm of traditional yachting comes to Monaco
Very attached to maritime sailing heritage, the YCM will organize the 16e edition of Monaco Classic Week – La Belle Classe, a journey through time synonymous with the Art of Living at Sea. This event is an opportunity to discover the most prestigious vintage sailboats, classic motor-yachts and the old motorboats that will color the YCM Marina with their most beautiful trappings. This 16e edition will also be an opportunity to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Prince Rainier III, founder of the YCM in 1953 and who had a real passion for the sea and boats. A legacy perpetuated by the YCM, which has been organizing this biennial since 1994 and whose particularity is to bring together for five days all lovers of yachting of yesteryear, whether sailing or motorized.
Leading a resolute political approach geared towards high-level competition and the preservation of the environment, the YCM thus promotes the promotion and influence of the Principality through its “Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting”.