The 13th Monaco Classic Week – La Belle Classe got underway today with 68 classic sailing yachts opening the ball. On a flat sea under sunny blue skies, the fleet had all their sails up in an array of different rigs, much to the delight of all the spectators watching the show from the harbour walls. The four surviving 15M IR yachts still sailing, including the Yacht Club de Monaco’s flagship Tuiga,completed the tableau, pulling off their manoeuvres in front of the Oceanographic Museum.
Lovely breeze
A light southerly provided perfect conditions for these Queens of the Seas to display all their finery. Two races were completed for the 15M IR class, racing here in the second stage of their circuit. Racing neck and neck with her opponents, Tuiga is on home territory, an advantage that saw her win one race and take 4th in the second. The YCM gaff cutter currently lies 2nd in the provisional overall ranking behind The Lady Ann.
In the vintage gaffs, Olympian, a regular on the podiums had an excellent start to the regatta winning the one race held, 11 minutes ahead of her closest rival.
This evening in the Big Boat class (+25m), the one 23 Metre International Rating class representative, Cambria, occupies 1st place in the provisional ranking. The same scenario for Rowdy in the vintage Marconi group and Resolute Salmon in the Classics.
No let-up ashore
Meanwhile on land, technical inspections by the jury for the La Belle Classe Restoration prize have begun, and will continue over the next few days so yachting history specialists can visit every boat to assess the quality of their restoration. Marking takes account of respect paid to the original plans and materials that were used to build the boats, and the expertise of those who restored them.
On Thursday morning, ten boats will be creating dishes to be judged by top chefs for the Chefs Competition. This original take on cooking contests is open to all types of boat and crew, professional or not, giving them a chance to show-off their creativity in producing dishes paired with champagne.
New generation embark on training courses
At the official launch this evening of new training courses for yachting professionals, Yacht Club de Monaco General Secretary, Bernard d’Alessandri, and Bluewater CEO Peter Bennet, announced their partnership on these new courses being held under the label “La Belle Classe by bluewater”.
“The Yacht Club de Monaco is a major player in yachting and brings with it a high quality of expertise in this field. It is therefore only natural that we should join forces to offer a range of specialised training courses tailored to the younger generation of future professionals,” said John Wyborn, Bluewater Training Director. A cocktail and presentation were made on Doriana (1930), a 38m schooner, to many key players in the industry which is the fourth biggest in terms of revenue generated in the Principality.
Rendezvous today Friday 15th September on the for another vintage day.
Provisional programme (subject to change)
Friday 15th September
11.00am 15M IR, classic boat and 12’ Dinghy class races
12 noon-4.00pm Regularity event for motorboats followed by picnic at sea
Saturday 16th September: The Belle Époque of the Roaring Twenties – each to his own style!
11.00am 15M IR, classic boat and 12’ Dinghy class races
2.00pm-3.30pm Elegance parade for motorboats
2.30pm-3.30pm Exhibition of vintage rowing skiffs in the YCM Marina
(in collaboration with the Société Nautique de Monaco)
4.30pm-5.30pm Elegance Parade (sailing-yachts)
Sunday 17th September
11.00am Prize-giving (by invitation)
Press contact: Yacht Club de Monaco
