A violent squall off the coast of Menorca has left the famed yacht Tuiga, pride of the Yacht Club de Monaco, without its mast and out of action for the remainder of the season.
The century-old vessel, which had recently clinched second place in the prestigious Cormorán Trophy in Mallorca, was racing in Balearic waters on Thursday when weather conditions turned savage without warning. Around mid-afternoon, gale-force winds tore through the fleet, snapping Tuiga’s mast in dramatic fashion.
Footage filmed by a bystander and widely shared online shows the classic yacht pitching heavily in mounting seas moments before the mast gave way. Miraculously, no injuries were reported among the crew.
Following the incident, the yacht was secured and escorted back to Mahon, the port from which the regatta had set sail. Club officials have since confirmed that Tuiga will be transported back to Monaco once conditions allow, likely in the coming days.
While the extent of the repairs remains undisclosed, the Yacht Club has expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from fellow sailors and enthusiasts. The stricken yacht is still scheduled to make a static appearance during Monaco Classic Week from Wednesday, September 10 to Saturday, September 13, though her racing calendar is now effectively closed for the year.
