Prince Albert II presided over the Yacht Club de Monaco’s 2025 YCM Awards – UBS Trophy ceremony on Tuesday 16th December, recognising outstanding sailing achievements and welcoming new members including two-time America’s Cup winner James Spithill.

The annual winter cocktail brought together the YCM community to celebrate a year marked by historic victories and international success across multiple sailing disciplines.

Casiraghi and Harrison claim top honour

YCM Vice-President Pierre Casiraghi and Peter Harrison were voted YCM Sailors of the Year for their historic victory in the Admiral’s Cup. The achievement represents the culmination of collective effort driving the Club’s competitive ambitions.

“Obviously, to win it was very special. It has meant a lot to everyone who has tried to win it and those who succeeded. My thanks go to Peter for making it possible,” Casiraghi said.

The Admiral’s Cup victory highlighted what Prince Albert described in his opening address as the Club’s foundation on “a spirit united by the sea, passion and a desire to always go further.”

Paul Cayard receives special recognition

The YCM Awards – UBS Trophy Special Prize was awarded to sailor Paul Cayard, a YCM member for nearly 33 years, accompanied by crewmate Frithjof Kleen, for their World Champion victory in the Star class.

Thirty-seven years after his first major win, Cayard continues an outstanding career that includes world titles, America’s Cup campaigns, and round-the-world races including the 1997-1998 Whitbread Round the World Race.

“I am very competitive by nature. I won my first Star title when I was 28, now I’m a grandfather. To win it today at my age was very special. It was a real battle. In the last race, we were 14th at the first mark and not leading the championship. We made up for it to finish 7th and win the title,” Cayard said.

Prince Albert noted that Cayard’s success demonstrates “discipline, unity and tenacity”—qualities the Prince said are essential to achievement.

Fifty years of loyalty

The ceremony opened with certificates presented to three members celebrating 50 years of membership, underscoring the Club’s foundation on allegiance and loyalty. The intergenerational recognition set the tone for an evening acknowledging both past achievements and future ambitions.

Outstanding 2025 season results

The awards recognised members who left their mark on international racing in 2025. The varied season of high-level competition included Kostia Belkin’s results on the classic yacht circuit, Oren Nataf’s victory in the RORC Transatlantic Race, Vladimir Prosikhin’s fifth World Champion title in RC44, and Joost Schuijff and Remon Vos’s results in events including the Rolex Fastnet Race and Rolex Middle Sea Race.

In the Smeralda 888 class, Class President Prince Charles de Bourbon-Siciles was recognised for second place in the Smeralda 888 International Championship 2025, having already won the championship nine times. Stefano Roberti received recognition for his victory in the J/70 Monaco Championship at the end of a hard-fought season.

Both classes will compete in the 42nd Primo Cup – Trophée UBS from 5th to 8th March 2026, regarded as one of the Mediterranean’s major one-design events.

Youth development

The YCM Youth Awards – UBS Trophy was presented to Louise Debeaumont, currently competing in the Youth World Championship at Vilamoura in Portugal. From January 2026, Debeaumont will travel to Brazil for the test event before embarking on several World Cup stages.

Tuiga and Viola head to America

Prince Albert announced that YCM’s flagships Tuiga and Viola will participate in celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the USA Declaration of Independence. “It will be a unique and symbolic moment in the history of our flagship, reminding us that classic yachts embody a heritage and know-how that bring generations together and unite cultures,” the Prince said.

The announcement followed recognition of YCM’s international reputation for sporting performance, youth and inclusive sailing initiatives, and the SEA Index—now deployed in over 20 ports across the Mediterranean, Seychelles and the Caribbean.

The YCM President concluded: “Becoming a member of the Yacht Club de Monaco is a state of mind, one of approaching the sea as a space of freedom and responsibility. We are the guardians of a legacy and the builders of a more sustainable maritime future.”

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Photo credit: Liam Fabre