The Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) community gathered in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II to celebrate the 2025 YCM Awards – UBS Trophy, an evening defined by continuity, excellence and a forward-looking vision for the Club. The traditional winter cocktail once again provided a moment to welcome new members—among them James Spithill, two-time America’s Cup winner—while highlighting the sporting achievements and values that continue to shape YCM’s identity.
Loyalty and legacy at the heart of YCM
The ceremony opened with the presentation of certificates to four members celebrating 50 years of membership, underlining the importance of loyalty and long-term commitment to the Club. In his opening remarks, HSH Prince Albert II recalled that YCM is built on “a spirit united by the sea, passion and the desire to always go further,” values embodied by both the YCM Awards and the YCM Youth Awards. The evening set a strong intergenerational tone, honouring past achievements while looking decisively toward the future.
Paul Cayard: a career defined by endurance and excellence
The YCM Awards – UBS Trophy Special Prize was awarded to Paul Cayard, a YCM member for nearly 33 years, alongside his crewmate Frithjof Kleen, following their Star Class World Championship victory. Thirty-seven years after his first major win, Cayard continues to compete at the highest level, adding to a remarkable career that includes multiple world titles, America’s Cup campaigns and participation in iconic round-the-world races such as the Whitbread Round the World Race 1997–1998.
Reflecting on the achievement, Cayard said: “I won my Star title when I was 28, now I’m a grandfather. To win the title today at my age was very special. It was a real battle.” His career perfectly illustrates the qualities highlighted by the Sovereign—discipline, unity and tenacity.
An outstanding competitive season
The YCM Awards – UBS Trophy recognised a particularly intense and diverse 2025 season. Members distinguished themselves across the international sailing scene, including Kostia Belkin on the classic yacht circuit, Oren Nataf with victory in the RORC Transatlantic Race, Vladimir Prosikhin securing a fifth RC44 World Championship title, and Joost Schuijff and Remon Vos achieving strong results in the Rolex Fastnet Race and Rolex Middle Sea Race.
The highlight of the evening was the announcement of Pierre Casiraghi, YCM Vice-President, and Peter Harrison as YCM Sailors of the Year 2025, following their historic victory in the Admiral’s Cup. Their success reflects a collective effort and reinforces YCM’s ambition on the world sailing stage. “Obviously, to win it was very special,” said Casiraghi. “My thanks go to Peter for making it possible.”
One-design excellence: Smeralda 888 and J/70
Consistency and technical mastery were also celebrated. HRH Prince Charles de Bourbon-Siciles, President of the Smeralda 888 class, was recognised for finishing second in the 2025 Smeralda 888 International Championship, adding to an already impressive record of nine championship titles. Stefano Roberti was honoured for his victory in the J/70 Monaco Championship after a highly competitive season. Both classes will return to centre stage at the 42nd Primo Cup – Trophée UBS (5–8 March 2026), one of the Mediterranean’s leading one-design regattas.
Youth and the future of sailing
The YCM Youth Awards – Trophée UBS shone a spotlight on Louise Debeaumont, currently competing at the Youth World Championship in Vilamoura, Portugal. From January 2026, she will continue her international campaign in Brazil and across several World Cup stages, embodying YCM’s strong commitment to nurturing the next generation of sailors.
Tradition, innovation and responsibility
The evening also highlighted YCM’s broader international influence—not only through sporting excellence and youth development, but also via initiatives such as the SEA Index, now implemented in more than 20 ports across the Mediterranean, Seychelles and the Caribbean. HSH Prince Albert II announced that YCM’s flagship Tuiga, alongside Viola, will take part in celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, underlining the cultural and symbolic role of classic yachts.
Concluding the ceremony, the YCM President stated: “Becoming a member of the Yacht Club de Monaco is a state of mind—approaching the sea as a space of freedom and responsibility. We are the guardians of a legacy and the builders of a more sustainable maritime future.”
A message that perfectly encapsulates an evening where heritage, performance and vision sailed confidently on the same course.
