On the Mediterranean classic yacht circuit, Monaco Classic Week stands out as the only one to bring together an exclusive range of classic sailing and motor yachts, selected and invited by the Yacht Club de Monaco.
For owners, delighted to be together and sharing their passion, the 2021 event had a more intimate format with only sailing yachts built before 1950 with a wooden mast being able to drop anchor in the YCM Marina, the Yacht Club said.
Around 30 responded to the invitation, most of them Fifes, including three of the 15M IR yachts. It was an ideal opportunity for Moët Hennessy to pay tribute to the prestigious Scottish boatyard by officially launching a 25-year-aged Glenmorangie Tuiga Whisky. In their wake, were a dozen period motor-yachts and some 30 vintage motorboats including ten Rivas, outdoing each other in finesse and elegance while seven others, including three American Chris Crafts vied for supremacy in the sheer elegance of their lines.
The La Belle Classe Restoration Prize recognises the quality of the restoration of boats that are often over a hundred years old. For this fifth edition, the Jury chaired by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and comprising experts in yachting history including Dr William Collier, has spent the week inspecting all the boats. The scoring takes into account respect for the original plans, materials used in the construction and the expertise of those involved in restoring them. The boat’s history and that of their owners are all part of the passion and commitment which also comes into play
It is a combination of this contest and the elegance contest that decides the winner of the Monaco Classic Week Trophy as they encompass all the criteria assessed in these two aspects to which is added that indefinable “love at first sight” reaction to the spirit that reigns in the life, maintenance and restoration of the boat.
The big winner was the Fife-design Bermudan yawl Mariella (1938) of Carlo Falcone, which succeeds the gaff schooner Puritan (1930). Also on the receiving end of awards for the quality of their restoration were Iran in the vintage motorboats, Blue Bird 1938 in the motor-yachts and the gaff cutter Olympian (Gardner 1913). Iran (Stempler Corsier Port – 1948) won the jury’s vote for the elegance prize, as did the motor yacht Istros and the sailing yacht Viola (Fife 1908). More photos and full report: https://yacht-club-monaco.mc/en/home/
SOURCE & PHOTO: Yacht Club de Monaco
