Published on August 18, 2023Updated on November 09, 2023
Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the Monaco Yacht Club, an iconic club in the heart of the Principality. Founded in 1953 by Prince Rainier III, this structure is a pillar of development for Monaco's Port, attracting and retaining yachtsmen from all over the world. This year, the Monaco Yacht Show celebrates its 70 years: a meeting place between passion, innovation and new environmental energies.
Prince Rainier III and the Monaco Yacht Club: 70 years of nautical passion
Prince Rainier III founded Monaco Yacht Club in 1953. At the time, the visionary prince wanted to give the Principality something that would attract yachtsmen from all over the world, and bring them back, again and again. He wanted it to be key to the development of Monaco port, the Principality’s prime tourist attraction. In 1954, Monaco Yacht Club re-launched the powerboat meetings, international regattas and many other water activities (big game fishing, scuba diving...) while training generations of sailors at the Sailing School which was set up in 1970.
Photo: Outboard during the Challenge Prince Rainier III race
Prince Albert II and the Monaco Yacht Club: Innovation and passion
was set up in 1970. In 1984, Prince Albert II was appointed President of the Club and introduced a series of new international events. These included the Primo Cup-Trophée Crédit Suisse, which went on to become the largest one-design meeting in the Mediterranean winter series, the Monaco-New York transatlantic race and the Formula 40’ Grand Prix. Traditional yachting was not overlooked, with the first Monaco Classic Week – La Belle Chasse in 1994. He was also the founder of the Prada Challenge for Classic Yachts, a one-of-akind circuit which he coordinated over a fiveyear period and, in 1995, bought Tuiga, which has become the club’s flagship
Photo: Prince Albert II during the first Monaco Classic Week
70 years of celebration: rendez-vous des nouvelles énergies environnementales
To mark its 70th anniversary, the Yacht Club is holding the 16th edition of Monaco Classic Week – La Belle Classe from 13 to 16 September this year. The event will bring together the ultimate vintage sailing boats, classic motor yachts and old motorboats. This biennale will be followed by the 3rd Monaco Smart & Sustainable Rendezvous (24 to 25 September), a networking event organised by M3 which will see key players from all parts of the sector come together in a quest to find the most innovative solutions to promote the development of virtuous marinas.
Innovation was also at the forefront when new alternative energy firms met at the 10th edition of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge from 3 to 8 July. The club joined forces with Aqua superPower to stage the first e-Boat Rally. A record number of commercially available electric boats tested their potential in a race between Monaco and Ventimiglia, giving the public an insight into pleasure sailing of the future.Throughout this event, which is part of the "Monaco Capital of Advanced Yachting" initiative, the Y.C.M. intends to be a player in the environmental transition.
Source of biodiversity, the sea is the bearer of stories and tales inscribed in the history for Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer. Discover our article on the sea.
Explore the events that bring Principality to life all year round!
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