Monaco Classic Week : Vintage motorboats steal the show

Friday 15th September. Calmer conditions returned for the third day of the 13th Monaco Classic Week, as the 30-knots registered yesterday gave way to a lull. While the 12’ Dinghies and 15M IR yachts may have seen their ambitions thwarted, the motorboats were out in force and stole the show.

Regularity reigns

The 40-strong fleet of motorboats including a dozen Rivas (MBS, Ariston, Super, Barilani, Super Florida, Junior), Chris Crafts and Hacker Crafts lit up the scene today as they tackled the regularity challenge. This involves them having to estimate how long it will take them to get around a course at a pre-selected speed, taking account of the wind and sea conditions, and was won by Why Not, a 1967 Riva Junior, with Giolisan, a Riva Super, in 2nd and the Chris Craft Aristote, all the way from Saint Barthélémey, in 3rd.

At the end of the trial, the engines kept roaring as the fleet headed west to Mala, one of the prettiest beaches on the French Riviera, for a picnic at sea in the spirit of the Yacht Club de Monaco`s Art de Vivre la Mer philosophy.

In the evening, the Riva family surrounded by owners of boats from the legendary yard, gathered for a cocktail in the Yacht Club de Monaco. Through a film retracing the life of the man who revolutionised boating, everyone paid tribute to Carlo Riva, the man behind the mahogany gems, who passed away in April at the age of 95.

The Belle Époque of the Roaring Twenties – each to their own style!

The programme for the last day of Monaco Classic Week promises to delight both competitors and visitors. After all the classic boats, 12`Dinghies and 15M IRs have left the harbour to race, the motorboat fleet will parade in front of a jury in their Elegance Parade. As they enter the harbour, it will be the turn of the sailing yachts to parade one behind the other, a spectacle not to be missed given the size and sheer beauty of the fleet gathered here for this event. All participants will come in one behind the other before a jury who will judge them on the beauty of the vessel`s lines, crew attire and respect for etiquette.

Rendezvous tomorrow Saturday at 11.00am for the start of the festivities.

Provisional programme (subject to change)

Monaco Classic Week Village open to the public 9.00am to 9.00pm – free entry. 

Saturday 16th September: The Belle Époque of the Roaring Twenties – each to their own style!

11.00am 15M IR, classic boat and 12’ Dinghy class races

2.00pm-3.30pm Elegance parade for motorboats

2.30pm-3.30pm Exhibition of vintage rowing skiffs in the YCM Marina

(in collaboration with the Société Nautique de Monaco)

4.30pm-5.30pm Elegance Parade (sailing-yachts)

Sunday 17th September

11.00am Prize-giving (by invitation)