January kicks off a busy events programme for 2023, as Yacht Club de Monaco celebrates 70 years since it was set up by Prince Rainier III. Presided since 1984 by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, this private club continues to honour its public service remit by organising world class events to promote the destination. Its agenda is more than worthy of its 'Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting' approach, initiated by YCM to position the Principality as a centre of excellence in this sector. High level sport, the environment, luxury yachting and maritime heritage will therefore be taking centre stage throughout this anniversary year.
13th Monaco Optimist Team Race (11-15 January ): youth opens the ball
Festivities kick off tomorrow, 11th January, with the 13th Monaco Optimist Team Race gathering the international elite in this discipline with 64 under-14 sailors representing 16 nations won over by this unique event. The format is unusual for an Optimist regatta, a match race being like a duel on water between teams of four as opposed to a fleet race of individuals. The result is 120 races in the knock-out rounds leading up to the finals and requiring finely tuned skills, tactics and above all teamwork. In the run up to the contest to hone their race techniques, teams are already on site to take part in an International Clinic (9-11 January 2023) supervised by Chris Atkins.
Spotlight on one designs with 10th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series (2-5 February) and 39th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse (2-5 March)
The best J/70 teams, who have established their training base in the Principality, meet again this month for Act III of the 10th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series of monthly regattas, which has become a fixture on the calendar for international teams. Races are set to be tight for the fleet, currently led by YCM's Ludovico Fassitelli on Junda followed by Graeme Peterson (Moonlight II) and Stefano Roberti (Piccinina), also from YCM.
The Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series season culminates for the J/70s at the fourth and final act held on the same weekend as the 39th Primo Cup-Trophée Credit Suisse (2-5 March) that will gather the Smeralda 888, Longtze Premier and RS 21 classes. Launched in 1985 at the instigation of YCM President HSH Prince Albert II, prizes being technical sailing garments from SLAM, it is the largest European meeting of one design boats in the Mediterranean.
Monaco Ocean Week (20-26 March): yachting component run by Yacht Club de Monaco
During Monaco Ocean Week, organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Monaco Oceanographic Institute and the Scientific Centre of Monaco, YCM is responsible for the yachting component of this week focused on protecting the oceans. On Thursday 23rd March at the YCM there will be four events, starting with the 12th Environmental Symposium dedicated to the 10th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge on the theme 'Encouraging the Future for a more Sustainable Yachting'. This highlight precedes the 27th Captains' Forum that brings owners, captains and superyacht industry leaders together, the theme this time will be 'Superyacht Commitment: Management, Leadership & Mentoring '.
After the success of the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous (next one at YCM, 24-25 September 2023), M3 (Monaco Marina Management) is launching the first Monaco Smart Yacht Rendezvous, a networking event that continues on Friday 24th March culminating in the Smart Innovative Yacht Awards. Supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Credit Suisse and innovation for a sustainable economy specialists, Blumorpho, it facilitates exchanges between the whole ecosystem to make it more virtuous and promotes innovations that could bring about major changes to the industry.
Thursday 23rd March concludes with the 3rd YCM Explorer Awards by La Belle Classe Superyachts. Organised under the presidency of HSH Prince Albert II since 2019, it has been recognising owners who stand out for their commitments to protect the marine environment, be it in the design of their yacht or its navigation. Awarded by a Jury of professionals, there are several prizes: Technology & Innovation, Mediation & Science, Adventure & Environmental Ethics. The awards are an opportunity to highlight those men and women who, as true explorers of the future, perpetuate the Art de Vivre la Mer philosophy which is at the heart of the Club's core values.
10th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (3-8 July) to celebrate anniversary in style
Helping build tomorrow's future is a key priority for YCM, an ambition it pursues through the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge for alternative energy sources. For the last ten years, this event has been bringing young engineers from technical colleges and universities the world over into contact with yachting industry players.
The goal is to stimulate their creativity by getting them to design eco-responsible alternative propulsion systems, with everyone sharing information on open source. A host of new features marks this 10th edition, in partnership with Aqua superPower, including the first ever E-Boat Rally of electric boats already on the market, enabling a record number of these boats to show the public what a cleaner future could look like. Also new is a Mentoring Program to encourage industry professionals to support students and which complements the Job Forum that assists budding engineers to get internships or even their first job.
Monaco Classic Week – La Belle Classe (13-16 September): classic yachts call into Monaco
As a Club that's very attached to its sailing heritage, YCM will be organising the 16th Monaco Classic Week – La Belle Classe. This unique biennial offers a journey through time, synonymous with the celebrated Art de Vivre le Mer lifestyle at sea. For the public it's an opportunity to see some of the world's most prestigious classic sailing yachts, period motor-yachts and vintage motorboats that create such a spectacle in the YCM Marina. This edition also celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Prince Rainier III, who founded YCM in 1953 and was so passionate about the sea and boats. It's a heritage YCM has been perpetuating with this biennial meeting since 1994 and stands out for those who love the classics as it celebrates both sailing and motor boats.