The General Secretary & Managing Director of Monaco Yacht Club talks to F Magazine about the past, the present and the future of one of the most prestigious clubs in the world.
Yacht Club de Monaco holds a unique position on the international yachting scene. It also plays a dynamic, leading role in the life of Monaco’s main port. Would you like to tell us a little more about the history of the Club? When and how was it created? What was its mission?
Yacht Club de Monaco was founded in 1953 by Prince Rainier and HSH Prince Albert II has been its president since 1984. It’s an exclusive private club which brings together more than 2,500 members of 81 nationalities, all sharing common values around our motto: ‘One Spirit, One Team, One Club’. In accordance with its statutes, apart from being a private club, it also has a public service remit which is evident in the active role we play as a catalyst for yachting-related activities in the Principality and facilitator for the main harbour, Port Hercule. The Principality has always been a key destination for Yachting.
Values such as preserving a certain ‘Art de Vivre la Mer’, safeguarding the environment, honoring our nautical heritage and promoting the most innovative technologies are all promoted through our ‘La Belle Classe’ label which goes beyond the circle of members. This way YCM brings together owners and all those involved in the yachting sector by providing them with a platform for communication and exchange of opinions. YCM also contributes to promoting the Principality and its influence on the international stage with a policy resolutely focused on protecting the marine environment. Through the ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ project, the ambition is to position Monaco as an essential port of call for luxury yachting and to highlight the latest technological innovations.
Counting almost 50 years of great experiences, you have been at the helm of the prestigious club since 1976. What are the milestones that stand out for you in this so distinguished career?
There have been so many. I am lucky to have had extraordinary experiences thanks to the YCM, experiences that leave a lasting impression on you. I believe that it is above all a story about people and their passion for the sea, for sport and for yachting.
Would you like to share with our readers in Greece a great memory from the YCM? An exceptional moment that you will never forget?
The race that had the most impact on me was the Monaco-New York transatlantic in 1985 when I had the honour of being at the helm of Biotonus/Monaco, which represented the Principality. It was a real adventure and a sporting challenge for all members of the crew. It was the first time that a transatlantic race set off from Monaco with an international line-up, thus positioning the Principality at the heart of the yachting world. The first to arrive in New York’s bay on 3 November 1985 was Mike Birch’s Maxi-catamaran Formula Tag, which won the first and only edition of this transatlantic race from Monaco. Nine teams had lined up on the starting line, including Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Florence Arthaud and Philippe Poupon.
Monaco is not only the capital of luxury yachting, but, most importantly, the capital of sustainable yachting. Could you tell us more about the great project ‘Μonaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’?
The YCM was established by Prince Rainier III in 1953 and this year we celebrate its 70th anniversary. As a true visionary, he wanted to provide the Principality with a yacht club in the image of those he visited during his cruises. Monaco became a mecca for yachting and is now a key destination. Since HSH Prince Albert II took over as president, his commitment to the environment being well known through his Foundation [Prince Albert II Foundation], Monaco has embraced its transformation from ‘Capital of Yachting’ to ‘Capital of Advanced Yachting’. Through this approach, the Club’s aim is to make the Principality a centre of excellence and innovation in the luxury yachting sector. A trail blazer on many fronts, Monaco has always been sensitive to its environment, which is why over the decades YCM’s objectives are to protect the oceans and their biodiversity; honour our maritime heritage; promote state-of-the-art innovations; and unite luxury yachting players, while perpetuating a certain Art de Vivre la Mer.
Celebrating its 10th edition this year, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is another important YCM initiative, a nautical event unique in the world based on energy-propelled motors. Can you tell us more?
The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (3-8 July 2023) is the only event gathering top industry players and the future of engineering around the topic of alternative propulsion and sustainability. The event is also a mix of commercial boats and prototypes aiming to drive progress in yachting’s energy transition. It’s an international event that brings young engineers from technical colleges and universities together with those involved in the yachting industry. The goal is to stimulate their creativity to design eco-friendly propulsion systems and share the experiences and knowledge gained in open source. Among the many new features of this 10th edition is the first ever YCM E-Boat Rally for electric boats on the market. It’s organised in partnership with Aqua superPower and we expect a record number of electric boat builders to show the public what a cleaner future for leisure boats could look like. Today, the yachting industry is really getting involved, with many renowned shipyards such as Oceanco, Sanlorenzo, Monaco Marine and Ferretti coming on board. This year, we have also introduced a mentoring programme where industry experts can give participants bespoke advice specific to their project and objectives. This is in addition to the Job Forum that puts industry professionals into contact with talented future yachting engineers; an initiative that positions yachting as a generator of jobs. What makes the event so original is the fact that it feels like a lab where technologies are presented in open source and showcased in action on the water where boats compete in the various challenges.
In your opinion when will alternative energy sources be able to definitively replace the ones currently in use in the yachting sector? Are we close?
As the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge clearly shows, many solutions are being tested including hydrogen, electric, solar and hybrid energy solutions. The laboratory and trials concept was also followed in 1904 when the Principality organised the first powerboat meetings. It is difficult to say today what solution will be used tomorrow, but what is encouraging is to note that famous shipyards are working in this direction, like Sanlorenzo and Lürssen with their hydrogen boat. I think the solution will be a mix of all this.
You are a fulfilled professional, a living legend in the yachting world. What are your projects for the future? What legacy do you want to leave behind?
My wish is that the Club will continue its momentum and remain a major player in the yachting world and the environmental transition. I hope the industry will continue its eco-responsible evolution and become a model to follow. I also hope that, at my level and with my means, I will contribute to this change. Above all, I want to share my passion for yachting with the new generation, which is the key to everything. It is for the new generation that we are working, trying to propel the sector’s mutation, to encourage it to become more eco-responsible in order to protect the environment and allow our children to continue to enjoy the sea. In line with the wish of YCM President HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, who believes that: “faced with the climate emergency, it is imperative that living proof of progress replaces the promises,” we want to demonstrate that the technology exists and is efficient.
What do you like the most about Greece and its people?
Greece offers an incredibly rich and old culture, especially in the field of yachting, boasting many great owners and sailors. It’s the ancient architecture, the varied cultural heritage, the arts, the food, the history, not to mention the breathtaking landscapes. Greek people share a great sense of hospitality. They value family life but also the need to celebrate. There is a real Mediterranean culture in Greece to which I’m strongly attached.
