Friday, December 22, 2023
In 2023, Yacht Club de Monaco celebrated 70 years with awards and sustainable yachting focus, led by Prince Albert II and featuring global sailing achievements.
In a grand celebration of the momentous year 2023 and the 70th anniversary of the Yacht Club de Monaco, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, the club’s esteemed president, honored its members at the traditional winter gathering. This event was not just about recognizing the club’s esteemed ambassadors but also a time for welcoming new faces and unveiling the plans for the upcoming season. Prince Albert II expressed, “These festivities mark a commemoration of seventy years filled with memorable sailing experiences and remarkable encounters.”
The Prince went on to emphasize, “Yachting isn’t just a sport; it embodies the spirit of athletic excellence and values that I hold dear.” This year, the club’s accolades included a gold in the Small States Games in the ILCA 4 division, world championship triumphs in various categories like Finn, RC44, Swan50, and 5.5, and a prestigious win at the Voiles de Saint-Tropez with the club’s pride, Tuiga. The upcoming year, 2024, is set to be sports-centric with events like the Olympic Games potentially featuring a club sailor, the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona with club members participating, and the Vendée Globe. Pierre Casiraghi, vice-president of the Y.C.M. and founder of the Malizia team, along with skipper Boris Herrmann, will rejoin the global race with their IMOCA Malizia-Seaexplorer. Casiraghi shared, “We’re striving to accumulate as much sea experience as possible before the race start, to thoroughly understand our IMOCA.”
The evening’s pinnacle was the presentation of the Ubs YCM Sailor of the Year 2023 trophy, awarded to Nico Poons, RC44 world champion. Poons expressed immense pride in receiving this recognition, noting the heightened competition and his successful season, including winning the ‘Worlds’ and the overall season. The nominees were a distinguished group of YCM members and expert sailors like Edward Wright, Leonardo Ferragamo, Benoît de Froidmont, Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio, Vladimir Prosikhin, Graeme Peterson, and Joost Schuijff. Bernard d’Alessandri, the club’s Secretary-General, reflected, “2023 was a landmark year for us, showcasing our members’ passion with five world championships.”
The ceremony also spotlighted the youth, awarding Noah Garcia for his remarkable season, including a gold in the Small States Games in ILCA 4 and a notable position in the French ILCA 6 championship.
Sustainable yachting was another key theme. Echoing Peter Drucker, Prince Albert II highlighted the necessity of shaping a sustainable future, citing initiatives like the SEA Index, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, and the YCM Explorers Awards. He commended these efforts and encouraged further research in sustainable yachting.
The event also revisited the commitment of shipowners to environmental stewardship, exemplified by Mike Horn’s four-year global expedition named ‘Whats’Left’, with a YCM delegation joining him briefly in Greenland aboard Pangea.
Prince Albert II emphasized the club’s role in pioneering sustainable practices in recreational boating. As 2024 marks a decade since the inauguration of the new Club House, designed by Lord Foster, the Yacht Club de Monaco continues to actively contribute to Monaco’s environmental policies. The club collaborates with key industry figures through its think tank to foster international initiatives, reinforcing Monaco’s position as a leader in advanced yachting.
Monday, April 29, 2024
Monday, April 29, 2024
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Monday, April 29, 2024
