A total of 130 boats were invited to the 16th Monaco Classic Week-La Belle Classe, a biennial launched in 1994 which pays tribute to living maritime heritage. Around 40 classic yachts, a dozen period motor-yachts, 60 vintage motorboats and 20+ 12’ Dinghy class boats are in the YCM Marina.
Day one saw Yacht Club de Monaco’s flagship Tuiga, with Mariska and The Lady Anne, the last surviving 15M IRs still sailing, enjoying a warm up race and putting on a fabulous display in the bay in a stiff breeze to kick off this meeting which promotes the inimitable ‘Art de Vivre la Mer’ lifestyle at sea. Ashore, owners, crews and YCM members danced late into the evening at the opening cocktail.
At the same time as the races, the ‘La Belle Classe Restoration’ prize Jury chaired by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston are inspecting every boat. Renowned experts in yachting history visit each one assessing the quality and spirit of their restoration, taking into account respect for the original plans and materials used to build the boat and knowledge of those who restored them. Their job ends Saturday when one boat will receive the coveted ‘La Belle Classe Restoration’ prize.
Starting Thursday morning, a dozen boats pulled out all the stops for the Chefs Competition. Open to all boats and their chefs, professional or not, this original contest demands creativity based on a basket of mystery ingredients. Supervised by Simon Ganache (YCM’s Events Chef), the Jury is chaired by Philippe Joannes, ‘Meilleur Ouvrier de France’ and three Michelin stars, alongside Joël Garault, head of the Monaco Goûts et Saveurs association, Christian Garcia, Chef at the Palace and Frédéric Ramos, Executive Chef at the Novotel Monte-Carlo. After receiving their basket in the morning, contestants had several hours to produce a starter to be shared based on rock lobster followed by a main dish of brill and Riviera vegetables. As the art of presentation and service is also being judged, the contest echoes courses run by YCM’s La Belle Classe training centre. Next year on 4th April 2024 it will be the turn of superyacht chefs to put on a show at the annual Superyacht Chef Competition.
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Prince Rainier III, who founded Yacht Club de Monaco in 1953, an exclusive exhibition shines a light on some of the beautiful boats owned by a man who loved the sea and cruising. Entitled ‘The Prince and the Sea’, the retrospective is open to the public (until Saturday 16th September) and looks back at the 15 boats in Prince Rainier’s collection that in post-war years gave new impetus to yachting. Among boats exhibited and present in the YCM Marina is Stalca, a motor-yacht named from the first two letters of each of the princely couple’s children. Launched in 1971 by the Dutch yard Vitsch and acquired by the Sovereign in 1973, she was restored in 2017.
From tomorrow Friday 15th September, classic sailing yachts and the 12’ Dinghy class have more races at sea while the sizeable fleet of motorboats and motor-yachts led by Lia Riva on Lipicar, an Aquarama that belonged to her father, Carlo, the Ingegnere di Sarnico, depart on an unusual treasure hunt. Armed with a marine chart, contestants have to reach different points on the chart between Roquebrune Cap Martin and Cap d’Ail and take photos to prove they’ve been there. For 1 hour 30 minutes, 60 motor boats including 30 Rivas, those mahogany runabouts made famous in the fifties that epitomise the Mediterranean, will be on the start of this original event.
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