How the Yacht Club de Monaco Became the World’s Most Exclusive Club—And What’s Next
- Rachel Ingram
- October 10, 2024
Yacht Club de Monaco © MC-Clic / Soirée d'intronisation Yacht Club de Monaco
As yacht club de monaco celebrates a decade in its new building and 40 years of hsh prince albert ii’s presidency, we discover what’s on the horizon for the fabled nautical hub..
The Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM), founded in 1953 by Prince Rainier and presided over by HSH Prince Sovereign Albert II since 1984, brings together more than 2,500 members from across the globe. Many of the world’s most prestigious private yachts fly the club’s burgee, which is testimony to its elite position on the international yachting scene.
In 2014, the club moved into its current location in a yacht-inspired clubhouse, designed by esteemed architect Sir Norman Foster. It’s since become not only a hub for the global yachting industry, but a centre for innovation and sustainability.
As YCM celebrates its 10-year anniversary in the building, the club’s general secretary Bernard d’Alessandri talks us through some of the key accomplishments of the last decade—and what we can expect in the coming years.
What does this key milestone signify for YCM?
Bernard d’Alessandri: The past 10 years reflect the diversity of actions undertaken by the Club, which has become a reference in the yachting world. The building designed by Lord Foster has proved to be an exceptional tool serving our dual missions: as a private yacht club dedicated to its 2,500 members, and through our public service remit to put Monaco on the global nautical map.
We offer many more services and activities to our members, who see the Club as a home from home for all the family, while also being a communication platform for professionals working in the sector. On both levels, YCM unites all those who love the sea, whether sailing, cruising or just messing about on boats, but crucially also those committed to protecting the environment, shaping yachting’s future and promoting the Principality and its influence internationally.
Monaco has always been a major yachting destination, and YCM plays a key role in preserving the “Art de Vivre la Mer”, encompassing naval etiquette, solidarity, fine cuisine, environmental protection and maritime heritage. These are values that drive YCM’s La Belle Classe label, which extends beyond the membership to unite owners and all yachting stakeholders.
Central to our vision for the future is a long-standing environmental policy that informed the design of the Clubhouse and the advanced facilities we have. YCM now hosts many more international regattas and hundreds of crews, enhancing the appeal of yachting. Through its La Belle Classe Academy training centre, it supports industry professionals in their careers. As a nautical hub, it strengthens relationships between key yachting players who freely exchange ideas on current topics at the many conferences we organise here.
What are your proudest moments from the last decade?
One of our defining accomplishments in this field is the annual Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (12th edition: July 1st-5th). Since its launch in 2014 it has gone from strength to strength to be a cornerstone for promoting alternative propulsion systems and sustainable yachting solutions. It attracts both young engineers and key industry players, fostering collaboration and pushing the boundaries of what’s technologically possible.
A notable example is the recent partnership between Vita and Evoy, who met at the YCM just one year prior to their announcement and together are now Europe’s leader in high-power electric marine propulsion for inboard and outboard applications. Synergies like this underscore the pivotal role YCM plays in driving innovation and shaping the yachting industry’s future. The sector is on the brink of a major transition and we are actively participating in it. We place great emphasis on building the future with the new generation. We also support yacht owners in this transition, a prime example being the development and roll-out of the SEA Index®, most recently into 15 marinas between Menton, Saint-Tropez and Bonifacio in Corsica and Monaco, including both YCM Marina and the Ports of Monaco (SEPM).
I’m also proud of our Club’s international influence. YCM is regularly cited as an example and sought after by other destinations who want to draw inspiration from our structures and values. This is how we set up and developed La Belle Classe Destinations, a label that allows us to establish a standard of excellence in terms of the quality of facilities, services and events offered. The ambition is to establish an exclusive network of yacht clubs and marinas that fully respects the unique character of each destination while promoting sustainable yachting on an international scale.
Why has it been so important for the club to drive innovation and sustainability?
In the past decade, the Yacht Club de Monaco has indeed evolved into more than just a hub for the global yachting industry; it has become a beacon for innovation and sustainability. This transformation was crucial because we recognise that the future of yachting and our planet hinges on our ability to innovate and adopt sustainable practices. The yachting industry is at a pivotal moment where cutting-edge technology and eco-awareness must go hand in hand.
This is where the annual Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous (4th edition, September 22nd-23rd) has a critical role to play. It’s another major YCM initiative, alongside the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, that fosters dialogue and synergies between the 250+ delegates that attend, all key stakeholders and experts in the marina, real estate and technology sectors. Discussions focus on promoting and progressing smart sustainable marinas, thereby advancing solutions that benefit not just the yachting community but the wider maritime industry.
It’s not just about keeping pace with change but about leading it. We believe that by championing innovation and sustainability, we are not only preserving the beauty of the oceans but also securing the future of yachting for generations to come. This commitment is reflected in every initiative we undertake, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the impact we are making.
What are your key aspirations for the next 10 years to come?
My wish is that the Club continues its momentum and remains a major player in the yachting world and the environmental transition. I hope the industry will continue its eco-responsible evolution and become a model to follow. I hope that at my level and with my means, I will have contributed to this change. Above all I want to share my passion for yachting with the new generation, who are the key to everything.
Regulations are changing rapidly, and we must be ready to adapt. For Monaco, yachting plays a crucial role. We want to continue to promote this activity, but not in its current form. It’s imperative to find ways to reduce fuel consumption, to embrace innovation and to focus on the significant contributions of the younger generation. We need to show that we are actively driving change.
I’m optimistic about the future. For too long we have neglected the oceans. Now it’s time to act. The process will be long and hard, but we are not alone. We are working with renowned proactive organisations such as the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. Together we can make significant progress towards a sustainable future for yachting and marine conservation.
Thinking about the future also means inspiring vocations through transmission, particularly by encouraging young people to learn to race. We have two remarkable ambassadors: Tuiga, celebrating thirty years under the YCM pennant during Monaco Classic Week (September 10th-13th, 2025), and Malizia, the IMOCA yacht of Team Malizia initiated by YCM vice-president Pierre Casiraghi and skippered by Boris Herrmann, who will line up on the start on November 10th for his second consecutive Vendée Globe—the world’s greatest solo, non-stop and unassisted sailing race. YCM will also be proudly participating in the Admiral’s Cup in July 2025, reinforcing our commitment to excellence in sailing.
We want to inspire the new generation to ensure they enjoy going to sea. Our ultimate goal is to create momentum and a genuine project for the new generation. Young people need to know that they can build a career in yachting, and we are here to support them.
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