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SOLAR Boats Race at Solar1 Monte Carlo

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07.07.2014

Solar1 Monte Carlo Cup - SOLAR Boat Racing

Solar powered boats from all over the world are set to battle it out over two days in the first truly green solar powered boat world championship.

From 10 to 12 July 2014 the Yacht Club de Monaco is hosting the Solar1 event, competing for the Monte Carlo Cup.

Developed by universities all over the world and driven by young students, this race is destined to be a significant future facing sport. Solar1 promises to deliver a fantastic display of skill, using boats powered purely by the sun.

Solar Power Boats Video >

The clean technologies involved in solar powered boats have a positive impact by helping to protect the oceans. With the environment at its core, the Solar1 race perfectly complements Monaco’s ecological values. The Yacht Club de Monaco is renowned for its internationally recognised events. Racing is in its DNA and although steeped in history, Monaco’s legacy has never stopped it looking to the future.

Sergei Dobroserdov, CEO of Solar1 said, ‘The solar power industry is expanding at such a rapid pace that it was crying out for an event of equal magnitude to unite and represent its stakeholders. Not only do solar boat enthusiasts have an unrivalled opportunity to display their engineering talents, but the exciting thing is that they can also compete equally well with both the vertically integrated energy companies and ambitious young students.’

While this is not the first solar race to take place worldwide, it will be the first time many will race in the open waters of the Mediterranean. Marnix Hoekstra, Director of Solar 1 technical partner Vripack, who witnessed solar boats take to the waters of Monaco for the first time during the race trials, says, ‘It is incredible to see these boats fly across the water. We organised sea trials in Monaco last August that left us in no doubt that solar boats are capable and seaworthy enough for tough races! Understanding how they work is all part of the education process which we aim to integrate into this event’.

As a location Monaco can undoubtedly deliver thrilling and exciting sporting events. Its commitment to sustainable development and projects aiming to protect the environment mean that it is the perfect fit for Solar1 races. Slalom, Fleet and the most exciting One On One races will take place in front of Port Hercules and in Larvotto Bay. It will be a fantastic spectacle racing around courses based on those proposed at the beginning of the last century.

Solar1 Monaco Event >

The RIB & HSC Directory is pleased to be a media partner and supporter of SOLAR1

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Monaco - In the Vanguard of Innovation

Prince Albert I of Monaco, an experienced navigator, led the way in sailing for pleasure and was a pioneer of oceanography. Keen for his country to be a showcase for yachting and technical innovation, he organised the first regattas in 1862.

From 1904 the world’s big industrialists flocked to Monaco to present the latest developments in combustion engine technology to an international clientele at an annual powerboat meeting.

Within a few years, Monaco had become a global centre for innovation and fashionable water sports. This love of boats was shared by Prince Rainier III, the ‘Builder Prince’ who in 1959 encouraged Carlo Riva to build the first dry dock and to launch floating pontoons. Four decades later he installed the Port Hercules semi-floating harbour wall. These major innovative projects have contributed to developing an economy that is firmly focused on the sea.

Just as Prince Albert I introduced the first ever powerboat races, Prince Albert II, President of the Yacht Club de Monaco, will host the next generation of revolutionary boat races, 100 years after the last ‘Grand Monaco’ meeting took place. He said, ‘It is up to us to show creativity, initiative and drive to develop new projects, like the Solar1 Monte-Carlo Cup’.

Held barely a month after the inauguration of the new Yacht Club de Monaco building the Solar1 Monte-Carlo Cup is set to be one of the global highlights on this years nautical calendar.

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