On Wednesday there were 58 sailing and motor-yachts all moored in the YCM Marina in front of the Yacht Club de Monaco’s new building, their varnish, brass and bronze fittings gleaming in the sunshine, ready to welcome the jury that will judge the quality of their restoration.
In the bay of Monaco the show began with the first race for the 15M IR class being run in a stiff 11-knot east-south-easterly wind. A veritable match race for three of them, Hispania having had problems with her rigging (on the runners and the main sail) forcing her to withdraw from this first confrontation of the week. The others had an excellent start with Mariska committee boat side and The Lady Anne at the buoy with Tuiga sandwiched neatly between her two rivals.
The Lady Anne took the shore option, Mariska and Tuiga staying out to sea. The downwind leg favoured The Lady Anne, always in the lead, but in the upwind leg, and after a superb manoeuvre with the spinnaker, Mariska took the lead to the finish, followed by Tuiga and The Lady Anne. The wind then dropped so a second race could not be run.
Thursday all the other classic sailing yacht categories enter the fray on a coastal course from Monaco to Saint-Jean Cap-Ferrat, while the 15M IRs continue their races in the bay. Some 30 classic powerboats, including a fabulous collection of Rivas will be roaring across the water.
The Italian fleet of four headed by Palinuro (77m) will also be moored in the harbour, with the latter, a three-master, open to the public from Thursday.
Chefs Competition with the spotlight on organic produce and sustainable agriculture
This year’s challenge is to produce a hot or cold dish involving a Brittany lobster cooked with Hennessy XO Cognac accompanied by two side dishes or garnishes, based on a basket of organic ingredients including vegetables, rice, butter, cream and eggs provided free of charge by the Nice branch of Métro wholesalers.
The focus on quality and nature comes from the Yacht Club de Monaco’s new head chef, Christian Plumail who has put a great deal of thought into this original competition which all boats, from the largest to the smallest, sailing or motor, can participate.
“I am not a sailor but I often get invited on board by friends and realise that for people who sail the cuisine is important. Cooking for others is all about giving pleasure; it’s a loving gesture as it is in the home.”
It’s a philosophy he applies at the Yacht Club: “I try to be very attentive to members and to make them feel at home when they eat at the Club. I am Niçois, and very influenced by traditional local cuisine: lots of vegetables, fish (90% wild and 10% organically farmed), with seasonal dishes and the introduction of new dishes this winter, like stuffed suckling pig for the buffet at the opening party Monaco Classic Week, all prepared at the Club.”
The public are welcome to attend the jury tastings on the quay before they make their decisions and announce the winners.
Provisional programme
(subject to change – 10th September 2015)
Quays and Monaco Classic Week Village open to the public
Located on Quai de l’Hirondelle, at the heart of the YCM Marina and the spectacle of Monaco Classic Week yachts, the Village will be open daily from 9.00am to 9.00pm. It brings together a dozen exhibitors: boatyards, marine craftsmen, antiques dealers, painters, sculptors, photographers…
Palinuro (77m) will be open to the public on Thursday (3.00pm-5.00pm), and Friday, Saturday and Sunday (10.00am-12 noon, 3.00pm-6.00pm and 9.00pm-11.00pm). Tours are free.
Thursday 10th September
11.00am 15M IR races and classic yacht races (starts organised by rig type)
5.00pm-7.00pm Chefs Competition (5.00pm: motor-yachts & 6.00pm: sailing yachts), with Moët Hennessy and presentation of dishes on the quays
8.00pm Crew Party (crew attire, by invitation)
and prize-giving for the chefs competition & Magnum Painting Contest
Friday 11th September
11.00am 15M IR race & classic yacht (starts organised by rig type) race
11.00am 12’ Dinghy class race
2.00pm-4.30pm Regularity Trial (motor-yachts)
3.00pm-4.30pm Manoeuvrability Trials (vintage powerboats)
5.00pm 12’ Dinghy class demonstration in the harbour
7.00pm ‘La Belle Classe’ evening & Personnalité de la Mer 2015 prize awarded
(yachtsman attire, by Moët Hennessy invitation)
Saturday 12th September: Belle Époque Day
10.00am Elegance Parade (sailing yachts) as they exit the harbour
12 noon 15M IR race & classic yacht (starts organised by rig type)
12 noon 12’ Dinghy class race
2.30pm-3.30pm Classic rowing skiffs race (organised with the rowing club)
3.00pm-4.30pm Elegance Parade (motor-yachts and powerboats)
5.00pm 12’ Dinghy class demonstration in the harbour
6.00pm ‘L’Art de Vivre la Mer’ live auction (Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo, the official catalogue is available at: www.hvmc.com)
8.30pm ‘Nuit du Yachting’ evening (Atmosphere Belle Époque)
Sunday 13th September
11.00am Prize-giving (yachtsman attire, by invitation)
3.00pm Start of the Trophée Pasqui race (Monaco-Nice)
