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Monaco Classic Week 2011 under sail
2011-09-06 12:18
What: Monaco Classic Week - La Belle Classe
Where: Port Hercule
When: 14-18 September 2011
Nothing beats the thrill of a major yachting event. Whether it’s traditional rigged craft, the latest luxury super-yachts or the speed and power of oceangoing racing that fires you up, there’s no doubt: the Côte d'Azur is the place to be.
Monaco has built up an unassailable reputation as the principality of yachting. Since the earliest days of regatta racing here in the 1860s, the involvement and support of the royal family has brought prestige, tradition and a sense of occasion. Albert I of Monaco founded the Oceanographic Institute and oversaw the first regattas on the Riviera, while Prince Rainier III was the first president of the Yacht Club de Monaco. Today, H.S.H. Prince Albert II continues that long association between the princes and the sea.
As a result, Monaco is richly blessed with a full calendar of yachting events year round, culminating in the annual Monaco Yacht Show. But every two years another even takes place which truly recalls the glory days of traditional sail yachting. Monaco Classic Week celebrates that heritage with hundreds of meticulously restored traditional sloops, yawls, ketches and schooners, competing in a variety of events in the third week of September.
2009’s Classic Week was particularly special for the organizing committee of the Yacht Club de Monaco, as it marked the centenary of its flagship Tuiga, a 15-metre gaff cutter. Though a hundred years old, she is still in excellent shape, having won last year's Westward Cup at Cowes.
Built in 1909 by the great Clyde boatbuilder William Fife for the Spanish Duke of Medinaceli, the boat was modelled exactly on King Alfonso XIII’s royal yacht Hispania (1908), so that the two could race together - (though diplomatically, the Duke made sure Tuiga always came second!) After a long history of refits – many of them destructive - Tuiga (whose name means ‘tiara’ in Samoan) was completely refitted in Southampton, following William Fife’s original plans. This year both yachts will be on show during Classic week.
Tuiga; photograph by Donan Raven
.
Following in the wake of the Tuiga celebrations, 2011 will also see a centenary - this time of the magnificent 38m gaff cutter Mariquita (1911), the last known survivor of the 19m class. The reunion of these three vessels designed by master builder William Fife will certainly be a sight to behold.
In total 80 vessels will be attending; a melange of motorboats,
motoryachts and sailing boats, including newcomers from Chris Craft and
Hacker Boats. The regularity and manoeuvrability trials as well as the other events will be very similar to those held in 1904; the crew who most elegantly apply and respect the codes of naval etiquette will be judged by a panel including princesses and artists; and a chefs' competition will underline the importance of living and eating well on board.
Throughout the week, timed races will see gaff cutters, sloops, ketches, yawls and schooners compete off the coast of Monaco. It's a guaranteed spectacle, as, for the first time, the Race Committee plans to alternate the starts according to rig type, not rating. As is traditional, the winners will be awarded timepieces by the famous watchmaker Hublot.
With all these activities you might imagine there would be little respite for owners, skippers, captains and crews. But after battling it out on the high seas there will be a chance for them to meet on shore at the prestigious “La Belle Classe” evening and the “Nuit du Yachting” hosted at the Oceanographic Museum, when the coveted “Personnalité de la Mer” prize is awarded.
A week of both tradition and yachting lifestyle, Monaco Classic Week is one of the most thrilling and beautiful events hosted in the Principality. Strolling along the quay on the south side of Port Hercule will offer a glimpse into the past, the golden age brought vividly back to life through the work of careful restoration of these magnificent sailing yachts. And at the foot of their passerelles a number of vintage cars from the first Classic Lancia Torino to Monaco (above) will be on display, a nod to this year’s centenary celebrations of the Monte-Carlo Rally.
Programme
Wednesday 14 September
Day dedicated to future generations
2.00pm Sea outing for the Youth Section of the Sailing School (Mariquita and Tuiga)
Thursday 15 September
10.30am-3.30pm Chefs' Contest
1.00pm Classic Yachts Regatta (start by rig type)
2.30pm-4.00pm Poker Run (Chris Craft & Hacker Craft and vintage powerboats)
8.00pm Crew Party (by invitation)
Friday 16 September
8.30am Start of the Classic Lancia Torino to Monaco Rally (historic car rally)
10.30am-noon Dead reckoning navigation competition (motor-yacht)
1.00pm Classic Yachts Regatta (start by rig type)
3.00pm-4.30pm Manoeuverability Trials (Chris Craft & Hacker Craft and vintage powerboats)
5.00pm Stop and Go of the Classic Lancia Torino to Monaco Rally at the Place du Casino
5.30pm-5.45pm Arrival of the Classic Lancia Torino to Monaco Rally on the Port
8.30pm La Belle Classe gala dinner (by invitation)
Saturday 17 September
Celebration of the 10th Monaco Classic Week
10.00am Sailing yachts 'Concours d’Elegance' parade outside the port
1.00pm Classic Yachts Owners' Regatta (start by rig type)
2.00pm-4.00pm Motoryachts and motorboats 'Concours d’Elegance' parade
8.30pm Yachting Night at the Monaco Oceanographic Museum (by invitation)
Sunday 18 September
11.00am Prizegiving (by invitation only)
2.00pm Start of the 'Trophée Grimaldi – La Belle Classe' race to Cannes