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Month: July 2025

Admiral’s Cup 2025: historic win for Yacht Club de Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
30/07/2025

Yacht Club de Monaco has claimed a sensational and historic victory at the 2025 Admiral’s Cup, marking the Principality’s first-ever appearance—and first win—at one of the most legendary offshore sailing events in the world. Led by YCM vice-president Pierre Casiraghi on Jolt 6 and seasoned sailor Peter Harrison on Jolt 3, the Monegasque team clinched the win after a fiercely competitive final leg of the Rolex Fastnet Race.

The Admiral’s Cup, making its long-awaited return after a 20-year hiatus, brought together 15 nations for a demanding three-part format combining offshore and inshore racing. Yacht Club de Monaco, racing for the first time in the event’s history, entered with two boats—Jolt 6 and Jolt 3—and finished ahead of favourites from the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.

Photo source: YCM

“It still hasn’t sunk in,” said Pierre Casiraghi, visibly emotional after crossing the finish line in Cherbourg. “To win the Admiral’s Cup in its revival year and on our debut is beyond words. I’m not a professional helm—this was the most exhausting race I’ve ever done.” He credited the tight-knit crew of Jolt 6, including Ben Saxton, Joey Newton, Will Harris and Cole Brauer, with delivering a flawless performance under pressure. “From the moment we exited the Solent, everything went to plan. We held our lead, resisted pressure from Callisto and Beau Ideal, and made every move count. For Monaco, this is historic.”

the fastnet finale seals the deal

The decisive moment came in the Rolex Fastnet Race, the final and highest-weighted stage of the competition. Spanning 695 nautical miles, it pushed sailors to their physical and tactical limits. Jolt 6 won on corrected time in their category, while Jolt 3 delivered a critical performance, finishing 3rd in real time in Class 1.

“This is without doubt the biggest result I’ve ever had in sailing,” said Peter Harrison, skipper of Jolt 3. “From the start, Pierre and I believed in this campaign, and the Club stood behind us. It’s a huge moment for Monaco. Everyone—from strategists to sailmakers—delivered. This firmly establishes YCM as a serious contender in offshore sailing.”

consistency across all races

The 2025 Admiral’s Cup featured eight races across three formats: the Channel Race, a series of inshore races in the Solent, and the Rolex Fastnet Race. Thanks to consistent podium finishes throughout—Jolt 3 won AC Class 1, while Jolt 6 came second in AC Class 2—YCM secured the overall team victory with a 16-point lead over the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.

The results will be celebrated at the official prize ceremony on Thursday 31st July in the Rolex Fastnet Race village.

Photo source: YCM

monaco sailors making waves

Beyond the Admiral’s Cup success, other Monaco-flagged entries also made headlines in the 51st Rolex Fastnet Race. Black Jack 100, owned by Remon Vos and helmed by Tristan Le Brun, claimed Monohull Line Honours, while Rayon Vert, helmed by Oren Nataf, finished 19th in the multihull division. Rising talent Didier Schouten, a young sailor from YCM’s Sports Section, also crossed the Channel for the first time aboard Ocean Breeze, making a memorable debut.

next stop: the ocean race europe

There’s little time to rest for Monaco’s offshore elite. Several YCM sailors, including Will Harris and Cole Brauer, will be back at sea with Team Malizia, founded by Casiraghi, in The Ocean Race Europe, kicking off on 10th August. The race will carry them from Kiel to Montenegro, via Portsmouth, Porto, Cartagena, Nice and Genoa.

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Main photo source: YCM

EU–US trade deal sparks outrage as 15% tariff hits European exports

by: Cassandra Tanti
30/07/2025

A new transatlantic trade deal has triggered political uproar after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed a flat 15% tariff on EU exports to the United States. While framed as a strategic necessity to avoid harsher sanctions from Donald Trump, critics warn the agreement could severely impact European industry — with Monaco’s high-value exports among the likely casualties.

A sweeping new trade agreement between the European Union and the United States has been signed, imposing a standardised 15% tariff on most EU exports to the American market. The deal, struck by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US presidential candidate Donald Trump, has already sparked widespread backlash from political leaders and trade experts across Europe.

According to von der Leyen, the agreement was necessary to prevent Trump from introducing a punishing 30% tariff, which she described as a serious threat to transatlantic commerce. “Today’s deal creates certainty in uncertain times,” she said. “We have stabilised on a single 15% tariff rate across most sectors, including cars, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. This 15% is a clear ceiling. No stacking. All-inclusive. So it gives much-needed clarity for our citizens and businesses.”

The agreement also includes zero-for-zero tariffs on selected sectors such as aircraft components, agricultural goods and critical raw materials, while steel and aluminium will fall under a new quota-based system. Von der Leyen described the outcome as a “building block reaffirming the transatlantic partnership” and praised Trump’s “personal commitment” to the deal, calling him “a tough negotiator, but also a dealmaker”.

Political backlash across Europe

Despite the Commission’s optimistic tone, reactions from European lawmakers have been scathing. MEPs from multiple parties labelled the agreement “a submission” and “a breach of WTO rules”. Many warned that the deal hands disproportionate advantages to the US while failing to secure meaningful concessions for Europe.

French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly described the agreement as “a dark day for European industry”, while Spain’s Pedro Sánchez criticised its impact on competitiveness and inflation. Even within von der Leyen’s own European People’s Party, voices of discontent have emerged, with several members calling for an urgent parliamentary review.

EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič attempted to calm the backlash, calling the deal “the best outcome under very difficult circumstances” and defending it as a necessary compromise given the geopolitical instability and looming threat of protectionist escalation.

What it means for Monaco

As Monaco is bound to the EU’s common trade policy via its customs union with France, the Principality will be directly affected by the new tariff regime. Sectors reliant on exports to the United States — particularly those dealing in high-end goods such as luxury yachts, jewellery and bespoke manufacturing — now face a 15% cost increase when accessing the US market.

With no exemptions for luxury sectors, Monaco-based exporters may experience tighter margins, reduced competitiveness, and slower growth in transatlantic trade. The agreement could also complicate supply chains, particularly in areas tied to pharmaceuticals and advanced manufacturing.

While von der Leyen pointed to new energy cooperation and the opening of strategic sectors as future opportunities, Monaco’s niche economy — heavily reliant on trade predictability and low-friction international commerce — may see more pressure than promise from this latest shift in global trade dynamics.

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Photo source: European Commission

A beach club unlike any other: why Cala Pulpo is worth finding

by: Cassandra Tanti
30/07/2025

Tucked into the raw, untouched corner of the Côte d’Azur known as the Golfe Bleu, Cala Pulpo is a place that feels like a well-kept secret — the kind whispered about between locals, hidden from the high-season hum of Monaco and the Riviera’s well-trodden beach clubs.

Unveiled last summer under new ownership, Cala Pulpo has returned this season with a quiet confidence. A full revamp and the arrival of a new Italian chef have transformed the laid-back seaside hideaway into a destination of substance — still low-key, still private, but now unmistakably polished.

a mediterranean sanctuary, just minutes from monaco

Cala Pulpo’s charm lies in its contrast. Though only a short drive — or boat ride — from the Principality, the setting feels completely disconnected from the Riviera’s relentless rhythm. Nestled along a stretch of pristine shoreline where natural springs feed into crystal-clear waters, the beachside restaurant is framed by white parasols, breezy gazebos and the kind of sun-bleached serenity that makes it hard to tell the time.

Everything is designed to disappear — the valet service, the boat tender from the Yacht Club of Monaco, even the attentive but unfussy staff. What remains is simplicity, and the sense that you’ve stumbled upon somewhere that doesn’t want to be found.

The new Italian-focussed cuisine delivers delectable homemade pasta and perfectly-cooked seafood. Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life

a menu shaped by the sea

At the centre of Cala Pulpo’s 2025 relaunch is a refreshed culinary vision, led by a talented Italian chef who understands that being beside the sea means letting the ingredients speak for themselves.

The menu is Mediterranean, yes, but rooted deeply in place — starting with fresh homemade pastas that have become something of a house signature. The tagliolini au homard, served generously and with depth, is an easy standout. Elsewhere, grilled prawns, black rice with octopus, and line-caught fish arrive perfectly prepared, unfussy and full of flavour.

There’s an honest elegance to it all — a balance between generosity and restraint. Even the desserts carry the same tone: a chocolate mousse as dark, rich and unashamedly indulgent as you believe you deserve, and a classic tiramisu that holds its own.

Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life

where you come for lunch… and stay for the day

It begins with a cocktail under the canvas shade. Then comes the meal — slow, unhurried, perhaps shared. Then, inevitably, comes the sunbed. Cala Pulpo is that rare beachside restaurant where time expands. The vibe is deliberately relaxed, the music gently curated, and the crowd refreshingly discreet.

The first-line sunbeds are among the most coveted on this stretch of coastline, complete with soft cushions, parasols, and a welcome smoothie to get the day started. The wine list is thoughtful, the cocktails well-made, and the afternoon light — golden and stretched — has a way of making plans disappear.

Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life

a place that doesn’t want to be famous

“Il y a des lieux qu’on découvre comme un secret” — Cala Pulpo’s own words. This is not a place designed for selfies or spectacle. It’s for those who know how to be still, who seek intimacy in the everyday, and who understand that sometimes luxury isn’t loud.

There’s nothing performative here. Just fresh ingredients, exceptional service, and a view that has inspired painters, poets and the occasional beach-bound wanderer.

In a region where everything is curated to be seen, Cala Pulpo invites you not to look, but to feel. It doesn’t ask for attention — it earns it.

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Black Jack 100 wins Rolex Fastnet line honours in thrilling offshore duel

by: Cassandra Tanti
29/07/2025

Black Jack 100, owned by Yacht Club de Monaco member Remon Vos and helmed by Tristan Le Brun, was first to cross the finish line of the 51st Rolex Fastnet Race in the early hours of Tuesday 29th July. The 100ft maxi monohull completed the race in 2 days, 12 hours, 31 minutes and 21 seconds, claiming the Erivale Trophy for line honours in the monohull category.

Victory came after a relentless duel with SHK Scallywag, with both yachts trading leads in a series of close tactical manoeuvres. The race was decided off Fastnet Rock, where Black Jack 100 pulled away with three rapid sail changes in challenging conditions.

“Last year we lost to Scallywag by 20 minutes in the Middle Sea Race,” said Remon Vos. “This time, we were just that little bit faster.” Le Brun added: “Nothing was certain until the very end. We sailed close to shore in the dark for hours—it was delicate but decisive.”

SHK Scallywag crossed at 01:19, followed by Joost Schuijff’s Leopard 3 at 01:24, securing a strong showing for Monaco across the monohull podium.

Photo source: YCM

Admiral’s Cup tightens as YCM teams close in

Meanwhile, the Admiral’s Cup—revived this year after two decades—remains wide open. Pierre Casiraghi’s Jolt 6 (AC Class 2) and Peter Harrison’s Jolt 3 (AC Class 1) are both expected to arrive in Cherbourg by evening, with every minute counting in the team standings. YCM currently trails the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, with Yacht Club Costa Smeralda also in close contention.

Monaco sailors across the fleet

Elsewhere, Oren Nataf’s Rayon Vert, co-skippered by Vincent Riou, is nearing the finish in the multihull division. Giovanni Lombardi Stronati’s Django entries, racing under the Italian flag, are also expected overnight. Young sailor Didier Schouten, from YCM’s Sports Section, is completing his first major offshore race aboard Ocean Breeze, continuing the Principality’s tradition of nurturing ocean racing talent.

As always in the Fastnet, the corrected-time rankings remain in flux, with the final standings only confirmed once the last boats arrive—true to the race’s reputation for high-stakes fairness and late drama.

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Main photo source: YCM

Jesolo hosts Italy’s first Water Safety Day with Monaco’s support

by: Cassandra Tanti
29/07/2025

Jesolo in Veneto has hosted Italy’s first-ever Water Safety Day, an initiative led by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation in partnership with the Honorary Consulate of Monaco in Venice. Held on 23rd July, the event welcomed more than 140 children aged six to 12 for a day of hands-on safety workshops.

Organised by Honorary Consul Anna Licia Balzan and supported by the Municipality of Jesolo, the day included CPR training, rescue-themed sports and environmental awareness activities.

A highlight was the inclusive session with rescue dogs on a fully accessible beach, offering children with disabilities an engaging and safe experience.

Photo source: Consulat de Monaco à Venise

“Water safety education must be inclusive and memorable,” said Balzan. “This event proved that it can be both.”

The ceremony was attended by local authorities including Mayor Christofer De Zotti and Foundation representative Xavier Archimbault. The Foundation covered all logistical costs and provided gifts and t-shirts for participants.

With strong community support and positive feedback, organisers hope the event will serve as a model for similar initiatives across Italy.

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Main photo source: Consulat de Monaco à Venise

Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo season looks inward with bold reimaginings and quiet milestones

by: Cassandra Tanti
29/07/2025

The 2025–2026 season of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo steers away from spectacle for spectacle’s sake, instead offering a measured mix of introspection, innovation and homage. With a series of world premieres, quiet commemorations, and works that blur the lines between tradition and disruption, this year’s programme invites audiences to watch a company reflecting on its legacy while shaping its next chapter.

Opening in October at the Salle Garnier, the season begins with a double bill that signals the tone for what follows: See You, a new creation by Paul Lightfoot, paired with William Forsythe’s Herman Schmerman, a piece whose fractured structure and ironic wit still feel unsettlingly current. If there’s a message here, it might be that dance can still ask questions rather than deliver answers.

By December, Jean-Christophe Maillot returns with Ma Bayadère, a full-length creation that revisits and rewires a 19th-century ballet best known for its exoticism and ghosts. Maillot’s version, premiering at the Grimaldi Forum with the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, suggests a more personal exploration of legacy — not just of the ballet itself, but of Maillot’s long tenure at the helm of the company.

legacy without nostalgia

The company turns 40 next year, but rather than staging a grand retrospective, the anniversary will be marked by a surprise Gala Evening in July 2026 — its contents withheld, perhaps deliberately. It’s a quiet nod to continuity over celebration, a choice that mirrors the company’s reluctance to dwell on the past even as it honours it.

That same ethos runs through Miniatures, a series of short premieres set for April. Choreographers including Francesco Nappa, Mimoza Koike and Aurélien Dumont contribute to a mosaic of pieces that suggest not a unified vision, but rather a cross-section of styles, voices, and possibilities.

the institution behind the art

The Académie Princesse Grace, a core pillar in Monaco’s dance ecosystem, marks its 50th anniversary this December with a programme that includes a gala in June. There’s ceremony, of course, but also something looser — the students will dance alongside live musicians, including Italian folk artist Antonio Castrignanò, giving the evening a more lived-in quality than a traditional showcase.

Meanwhile, Monaco Dance Forum remains the Principality’s most outward-looking platform. Highlights this season include Éric Oberdorff’s Waku Doki, and the Paris Opera Ballet’s La Dame aux Camélias, which closes the season in July under the direction of John Neumeier — one of ballet’s great storytellers of emotional restraint.

dancing elsewhere, watching at home

Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo will also tour widely — Venice, Madrid, Seoul, Riga — with Cendrillon, Roméo et Juliette, LAC, and Ma Bayadère making their way to international stages. Back in Monaco, audiences will be offered glimpses behind the curtain through public workshops, late-night performances at the Atelier, and a film screening (La Danseuse) that will no doubt resonate with those thinking about the sacrifices behind the scenes.

This season isn’t an explosion of colour or an anniversary soaked in nostalgia. Instead, it’s the kind of programming that favours a deeper connection: between artist and audience, between what ballet was and what it might still become.

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Photo source: Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo