Speed record, teams battling it out on the water, and key players in the industry to support them, the 11th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, organised by Yacht Club de Monaco, is established as the mecca for alternative propulsion in yachting. With 40 universities in competition, 700 students involved all-year of which 450 were here in Monaco, 25 nations and 50-plus boats on the sea, it once again stood out as a zero-emission event in terms of mobility.
"This week is a very popular event judging by all the visitors here to see the innovations. An enthusiasm echoing that which animated the Principality in the early 20th century at the first powerboat meetings," says YCM General Secretary Bernard d'Alessandri.
An event dear to the heart of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco who having met all the teams fired the gun for the start of the Championship Race on the last day. Supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW and SBM Offshore, the event attracts renowned yachting players such as Monaco Marine, Oceanco, Ferretti Group, Azimut | Benetti Group, Sanlorenzo and Lürssen.
In the paddocks teams were also helping each other out, with the Canadians on Exocet, the British of Cambridge University Riviera Racing, the Italians of UniGe and the Indonesians of Hydros Team UI exchanging equipment. After filling 30 bottles, so six kilos of hydrogen, made available to five teams, SBM Offshore did not hesitate to provide items from its autonomous green hydrogen pontoon, such as batteries and bottle connections to the Cambridge team.
The technology unveiled in the paddocks was put to the test in a range of challenges at sea including a parade, sea trials, a fleet race, YCM E-Boat Rally, and the endurance, manoeuvrability and slalom events, and suffice to say the level has gone up several notches. Proof is there in the speed record when contestants are timed over a given distance, inspired by the kilometre-race rules of 1904. Unsurprisingly, the Open Sea Class topped the table of 33 participants with a new record set by Evoy's Goldfish x9 which hit a top speed of 56 knots and averaged 48.6 knots, a big jump from last year's 34.71 knots.
"In the past some countries had difficulty passing the technical inspection, yet today we see them with a hybridised hydrogen/ battery they made themselves and an AI system to optimise their energy consumption," says Jérémie Lagarrigue, President of the International Jury and CEO of EODev.
AI made its debut at this year's event with several teams using it including the Indians from Sea Sakthi with their navigation system. It takes into account the slightest obstacle, automatically recalculating the fastest route from A to B. The team also partnered with an Indian company to develop a connected ring worn by the pilot which transmits data on his health in real-time. For the next edition all teams can incorporate AI into their project to compete in a special category.
The Italians from Physis (Politecnico Milano) received the coveted Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Sustainable Yachting Technology Award the prize being a grant of €25,000. Launched this year, it recognises the best technological solution in terms of efficiency and/or carbon reduction. From 2025 for a period of three years the winner can present progress on their project at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge.
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