The Yacht Club de Monaco organised the “La Belle Classe” cocktail party in the harbour of Saint-Tropez. The event took place aboard four magnificent yachts, the sailing yacht Tuiga (1909), Mariquita (1911), sailing yacht Elena (1911 replica) and Shamrock V (1930) in occasion of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez, as well as to celebrate the end of the racing season.

An evening which gathered over two hundred owners and skippers, all signatories of the “La Belle Classe” Charter, members of the YCM and yachting personalities including Jean-Pierre Champion, President of the French Sailing Federation, Frédéric Berthoz, President of the AFYT, Jean-François Touret, Saint-Tropez Harbour Master, André Beaufils, President of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez and organiser of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez, François Fiat, “La Belle Classe Superyachts” ambassador. Were also present navigators, to name a few: Brad Butterworth, Harold Cudmore, Catherine Chabaud, Philippe Monnet, Servane Escoffier…

"La Belle Classe" cocktail party in the harbour of Saint-Tropez - Ed Kastelein, Mr le Maire Jean-Pierre Tuveri, Bernard d'Alessandri and mme Kastelein

La Belle Classe, a label to unite the owners in the yachting industry

Initiated in 2005 by H.S.H. Prince Albert II, President of the Yacht Club de Monaco, “La Belle Classe Tradition” has built the stepping stones of “La Belle Classe Superyachts”.

Owners of classic and vintage yachts (“La Belle Classe Tradition”) or of a 40m-plus yacht (“La Belle Classe Superyachts”), the “La Belle Classe” label brings together owners who wish to see an evolution in the Yachting world while defending its essential values:
-Preservation of the etiquette,
-Safeguard for the environment,
-Respect for our maritime heritage (“La Belle Classe Tradition”)
-and promotion of the most innovating technologies (“La Belle Classe Superyachts”).

The aim is to unite the owners and all those involved in the Yachting industry by offering them a forum for communication and discussion.

"La Belle Classe" Cocktail Party Evening

Saint-Tropez Municipality celebrated by La Belle Classe

On this occasion Mr. Jean-Pierre Tuveri, Mayor of Saint-Tropez, was awarded the Special “La Belle Classe” Prize for the actions taken by the Council in the Yachting world.

Constant efforts have been made by the Council to modernise the harbour, consolidate the existing infrastructure whilst preserving the environment. Measures were taken to achieve a “Clean Harbour”, a pragmatic measure caring for the environment can only show the efforts made by the Council in terms of waste management, pollution control, information for Leisure yachtsmen to educate them on eco-friendly attitude and council staff training. This commitment together with preservation of yachting values and respect for maritime tradition make this harbour what it is internationally renowned for: a unique meeting point for world over yachtsmen.

“Saint-Tropez had to belong to “La Belle Classe” and promote safeguarding of our maritime heritage whilst preserving the environment and naval etiquette. Key stopover of the greatest yachts in the world, be they sail boats or superyachts, our two harbours have always committed to deliver the best services, to develop security rules and assist the development of new technologies. It is essential for our harbours to be the ambassadors of Yachting values; Yachting with respect and responsibility for sailors and owners who use our harbour but most importantly for the future generations to come” declared Jean-Pierre Tuveri, Mayor of Saint- Tropez.

During this event, the new Ambassador of “La Belle Classe Tradition” was announced.

Ed Kastelein, first Ambassador of La Belle Classe Tradition

This cocktail was also the occasion to put Ed Kastelein in the spotlight, a true passionate man who has never ceased to manage these restoration projects in order to give a new life to legendary yachts the way they were in their heydays. To name a few were Thendara, Aile Blanche, Zaca a te Moana inspired by the notorious Zaca (1929) owned by Errol Flynn.  No less than 18…

After reviving Westward (1910) in the shape of the replica Eleonora, Ed Kastelein took up a new challenge. It was to revive the Atlantic (1903), a legendary schooner which held the record for crossing the Atlantic, under the command of Charlie Barr, for 65 years. In doing so the Dutchman has tackled a veritable “Everest” with respect to the impressive dimensions of this three-masted schooner: length on deck 56.43 metres, mast height 45 metres, lead keel 120 tons.

Being a member of “La Belle Classe” is a real commitment in favour of an activity where courtesy and respect reign, where regatta rhymes with fair-play, naval etiquette with “savoir-vivre” and elegance with spectacle. All members of “La Belle Cla