Ten years ago, the whole Yacht Club de Monaco family gathered to attend the inauguration of the new building designed by Lord Foster. This year the traditional Summer Cocktail held on Monday 17th June was the perfect opportunity to celebrate the 10th anniversary and 40 years of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco’s presidency, surrounded by HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover, YCM Vice-Presidents Andrea and Pierre Casiraghi, Alexandra of Hanover and the Management Committee. Between surprise videos, personal messages, live music and a gourmet voyage on the quays by 17 renowned chefs, presenting specialities of their regions associated with a wine estate, everyone enjoyed the togetherness of the occasion.
Ten years of challenges
“During the inauguration in 2014, I shared with you an ambition to make Monaco a reference in the yachting world. I then talked about the many bold projects we had in the pipeline in terms of innovation, competition and training,” began HSH Prince Albert II. Launch of La Belle Classe and its training centre, setting up the Cluster Yachting Monaco and organising international championships are just a few of the many challenges the Club has risen to since then that have proved to be a great success. “In accordance with its statutes, our Yacht Club is now recognised as a major player in promoting our Principality, thereby contributing to its international appeal,” continued the Prince.
A long-term commitment
The gathering was also an opportunity to celebrate the Sovereign’s 40 years as President who has been at the helm of YCM since 1984. “I wanted then to ramp up the Club’s sports policy to ensure we continued to broaden our ambitions. Our members who represent us on race areas all over the world have excelled, flying our flag high on the top steps of podiums”. Indeed a passion for sailing is reflected in the successes achieved over many years as evidenced by the five World Champion titles won by members in 2023.
YCM’s two emblematic boats, Tuiga and Malizia, illustrate to perfection this quest for excellence. While the first represents all the elegance and traditions associated with yachting, the second under Team Malizia founder Pierre Casiraghi’s leadership is involved in offshore racing and is the “herald of our commitment to sustainability and technological progress”. Having secured two superb second places recently in the Transat CIC and New York Vendée-Les Sables d’Olonne return race, the IMOCA’s skipper Boris Herrmann is all set to take the start of the next Vendée Globe on 10th November 2024.
As Monaco welcomes the Olympic flame on Tuesday 18th June, the Sovereign also wanted to highlight the importance he attaches to values associated with sport: “Good performances start from a very young age and I am convinced that sport is one of the pillars of our society. It is a cornerstone in the development of our young people and a guiding force for social cohesion”.
The Club’s young sailors in the Sports Section wanted to send him a message: “Thank you for supporting and believing in us. We are very proud to fly the flags of the Principality and our Club”. It was an emotional moment as five flags from the International Code of Signals representing “Thank You” (in French) were raised. The many surprises addressed to the Club’s President concluded with the official presentation of a book published by Assouline produced especially for the occasion and given as a gift to all members.
A model built to be an example
YCM’s building is a role model of excellence, innovation and preservation of the marine environment, embodying the ambitions of the collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach. The Sovereign recalled the importance of having a committed environmental policy, highlighting initiatives such as water recycling, the fleet of electric tenders and use of solar panels. The Club promotes these values through its SEA Index®, an essential reference for assessing CO2 emissions of boats, and events like the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (1-6 July) that establishes links between the new generation and yachting professionals, and the Monaco Smart Yacht Rendezvous and Monaco Smart Marina Rendezvous which promote innovative technology and an eco-evolution for yachts, ensuring they can call into virtuous marinas.
Buoyed by its 70 year history, Yacht Club de Monaco continues to write new chapters based on its motto ‘One Spirit, One Team, One Club’ and welcomes all those passionate about the sea to the annual Fête de la Mer on Saturday 22nd June.
