Classics in Monaco

Famous names and famous yachts at La Belle Classe

Exceptional events, exceptional yachts, and exceptional personalities marked this 7th Edition of Monaco Classic Week – La Belle Classe. A record presence of 5 Class J sail-racers, some 30 Traditional Motor and Sail Yachts, and attendances by Dennis Conner and Brad Butterworth – between them holders of 7 victories in the America's Cup.

The sea demands excellence and, fittingly, this year's Monaco Classic Week saw the creation of the Yacht-Owners' Club "La Belle Classe", dedicated to those who share the passion of Traditional Yachting and the desire to hand on these wonderful and historic vessels to following generations. SS Delphine, the 1921 Steam Ship, was awarded the very first Prix La Belle Classe, the patron of which award is Moët Hennessy. Further qualities of excellence were demonstrated with the participation of two new partners for the Yacht Club de Monaco: Moët Hennessy, the wines & spirits sector of the world luxury group LVMH, and the Swiss luxury watchmaker Hublot, Official Timekeeper to Monaco Classic Week.

On Sunday 18 Septembe, H.S.H. Prince Albert II, President of the Yacht Club de Monaco, attended the Monaco Classic Week – La Belle Classe prize-giving ceremonies, and then personally sounded the on-water start for the second leg of the "Trophée Grimaldi", a coastal regatta between Monaco and Cannes.



A particular aspect to Monaco Classic Week – La Belle Classe, is that it gathers together in a single port, Port Hercule, traditional sailing yachts, period motor-yachts and vintage motorboats – it is a truly delightful sight to see them all milling around the port and Monaco's Bay together during the Classic Week.

In the Category Epoch, victory went to the gaff-cutter from Brittany, Pesa, (built in 1911), helmed by her owner Jean-Yves Roubinet. Although the shortest of the three gaff-cutters with a length of 15,73 meters, she had her way with them.

Tuiga, the 15-Meter JI Yacht Club de Monaco flagship, helmed by Dennis Conner, 4-time America's Cup winner, seconded by Sofia Bekatorou, Greek Olympic Gold Medallist in the 470 Category, took second place.

Third went to Mariquita : an impressive 19 M JI, with a boom of over 20 meters. Mariquita took First Place in the Elegance Competition, whose Jury was presided by Princess Beatriz d'Orleans-Borbon.

Mariquita also distinguished herself by being awarded the Monaco Classic Week 2005 General Trophy - calculated by accumulating the Elegance Contest points with those of the Restoration & Heritage Contest.

A sixth place was awarded to a sprightly 100-year old newcomer to Mediterranean waters: Oriole, an N. G. Herreshoff 1905 racing design for the New York Yacht Club. This gaff-rigged sloop has just been completely restored conform to her original plans by Cannell (Camden) and Boothbay Harbor Shipyard (Boothbay, USA). She was specially re-launched to take part in the Monaco Classic Week Regattas.

Invited by UBS Monaco to a regatta during Classic Week, aboard Moonbeam IV, a 32-meter gaff-cutter, built 1914-20, was Brad Butterworth, Alinghi Vice-President, and victorious at the three most recent edition of the America's Cup. "These yachts are very full of history, and it is moving to know that Moonbeam IV, then re-christened Deo Juvante, belonged to Prince Rainier, and in 1956, the Prince and Princess Grace used the yacht for their honeymoon," commented Butterworth.

In the International Rule Category (JI), a highly unusual field of 5 Class J was present. Velsheda slicked her old rivals, Cambria and Shamrock V, demonstrating both her power and her ability to harness the very lightest of breezes.

Ranger and Astra, competing again together for the first time since 1930, were splendid participants in this truly magnificent spectacle of legendary and very beautiful sailing yachts of the Thirties' America's Cup matches.

Trophée Monaco Classic Week overall
Winner : Mariquita (1911), YCM, UK

La Belle Classe Prize, under the patronage of Moët Hennessy
Winner : SS Delphine (1921), YCM

Vintage Yachts overall
1st : Pesa (1911), YC Lodet, 3,00 pts
2nd : Tuiga (1909), YCM, Monaco, 7,00 pts
3rd : Mariquita (1911), YCM, UK, 7,00 pts
4th : Emilia (1930), YCM, Italy, 8.00 pts
5th : Avel (1896), UK, 8.00 pts
6th : Oriole (1905), Yacht Club de France, USA, 13.00 pts
7th : Moonbeam of Fife (1903), SN Saint-Tropez, France, 14.00 pts
8th : Moonbeam IV (1914-1920), Royal Cork YC- UK, 17.00 pts
9th : Nan of Fife (1896), RMYS, France, 18.00 pts
10th : Altair (1931), YCA, 22.00 pts
11th : Sumurun (1914), New York Yacht Club, USA, 23.00 pts
12th : Zaca (1929), RORC-YCM, UK, 25.00 pts
13th : Mariella (1938), Antigua Yacht Club, 26.00 pts DNF Co2
14th : Sunshine (replica), RTYC, UK, 27.00 pts
15th : Eleonora (replica of 1910), RNYC-YCM, UK, 32.00 pts DNF Co2
16th : Doriana (1930), YCM, UK, 34.00 pts DNF Co2
17th : Black Swan (1899), Italy, 36.00 pts DNF Co2

Not in the rankings:
Creole (1927), Spain
Invader (1905), YCM
Tamory (1953), YCM, UK

J Class Overall
1st : Velsheda (1932), RSYC, Guernesey- UK 2.00 pts
2nd : Cambria (1928), YCM, UK, 6.00 pts DNF Co2
3rd : Shamrock V (1930) Grand Caïman, 8.00 pts DNF Co1/ DNC Co2

Not in the rankings:
Astra (1928), YCM
Ranger (replica)

Elegance contest overall
Winner: Mariquita (1911), YCM, UK