Over 1,400 nautical miles from Venice to Monte Carlo: the Venezia-Montecarlo® is the longest and most demanding offshore stage race in the Mediterranean. They call it “the Dakar of the sea”. For Seaprom it is the flagship project: an event that brings together sport, marine technology and the promotion of coastal territories, with the support of institutions, federations and international partners.
A story born in 1990
The race was created in 1990 by the Circolo Motonautico Veneziano and the Yacht Club de Monaco, with a group of champions and builders of Italian offshore racing: Renato Della Valle, Alberto Smania, Angelo Vassena, Gianfranco Rossi. Prince Albert of Monaco was among the organisers of the first edition, and raced in it himself. The format draws on the Cowes-Torquay Round Britain tradition: a stage race along the whole Italian peninsula, bringing monohulls back to the centre of offshore competition.
The first edition saw 45 boats reach the finish line. Through the nineties the race crowned legendary crews and shipyards, from Fabio Buzzi’s boats to Seatek engines, with winners such as Della Valle, Rossi and Argentina’s Daniel Scioli.
A route of records
The Venice-Monte Carlo route is also record territory: in July 2016 the crew led by Fabio Buzzi completed the non-stop Monte Carlo-Venice run in 22 hours, 5 minutes and 42 seconds aboard the FB 60’ “Ognitempo”, at an average of 52.3 knots. A feat that confirms the sporting and technological weight of this challenge.
Street Art Contest
The 2015 edition gave birth to a project within the project: urban artists tell the story of the sea on large panels in the cities touched by the race. The Street Art Contest brings contemporary creativity into a sporting event, leaving behind works that remain long after the boats have passed.
