For the sixth year, the Trophy - the second stage of the "A.I.V.E. Adriatic Cup" 2021 - is aimed at classic boats. Under the sports management of Yacht Club Venezia, the regatta will be organised in cooperation with Circolo Velico PortodiMare under the patronage of A.I.V.E. Associazione Italiana Vele d'Epoca. 
After Councillor Venturini welcomed the participants, Anna Licia Balzan, Honorary Consul of the Principality of Monaco in Venice, took the floor: "I am happy because this year we have managed to organise the Trophy after the stop imposed by Covid last year when we had to give up the event. The combination of the Principality of Monaco and sport, which has always been personally promoted by Prince Albert II, is a source of inspiration for initiatives such as this one, which are an important tool for strengthening ties between our two countries. In my consular activity I work to create a bridge between Venice and the Principality through the tourist-cultural promotion of their respective territories. With this event we want to create something for the city and its local fabric because we believe that Venice should aim at excellence and events of this magnitude are the most effective way to achieve this." 

8th TROPHY PRINCESS OF MONACO - Le Vele d'Epoca in Laguna BNL-BNP PARIBAS PRIVATE BANKING & WEALTH MANAGEMENT CUP

"This year we have two very interesting novelties," added Mirko Sguario, historic Sports Director of the Trophy and President of the Venice Yacht Club, "The Municipality of Venice has included the Trophy among the events celebrating the 1600th anniversary of the Serenissima, a prestigious recognition for an event which, beyond its unquestionable sporting merits, reaffirms the true spirit of the highest seafaring traditions of this unique city in the world. The Italian Navy, which has always been at the event's side, will host the boats in the Arsenal where the prize-giving ceremony will take place. It is a logistical challenge, but we are talking about hosting a fleet of over thirty boats in the most extraordinary setting in Venice. It is a challenge that I accept with pleasure and which allows me to recall the valuable contributions of Fabrizio D'Oria, operations director of Vela Spa, and of the Councillor for Tourism Simone Venturini, who are always in the front line to promote and support sailing sport in its most beautiful expressions in the only stage that allows the public to see the vintage boats up close, true Queens of the sea, rich in history and charm."
"As in the past, the Italian Navy renews its collaboration for the organisation of the Trophy" - said Admiral Andrea Romani - "which takes place in the very same week in which our ship Amerigo Vespucci is in Monaco on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the International Hydrographic Organisation which is based in the Principality. The Navy has a very close link with the world of sailing; all sailors practise it in training institutes because it teaches team spirit, which is essential on board our ships. On this occasion," he continued, "the Marina has fielded the Palinuro, the Vespucci's little sister, and we will open up the water areas of the naval base for the mooring of the other boats and our Morosini Naval School for the welcome cocktail. Finally, we will participate in the regatta with two boats for a weekend of great sailing in Venice". 
Together with the Navy, the City of Venice supports the event through the Venice Boat Show, promoted and organised through the company Vela Spa. "Events of this kind, which enhance the value of boating and strengthen the city's relationship with the sea by attracting quality and sustainable tourism - which sailing is by definition - contribute to the recovery of Venice, which has suffered, along with other cities of art, from this long period of difficulty," specified Councillor Simone Venturini.
"After the positive experience of the Venice Boat Show, the second edition of which has just come to an end," added Fabrizio D'Oria, "the Principality of Monaco Trophy brings sailing back to the forefront in the city with a show that is both sporty and glamorous, continuing the common thread of events linked to sailing all year round".
 "BNL BNP Paribas Private Banking & Wealth Management" - comments Stefano Schrievers, Head of Wealth Management Italy BNL BNP Paribas - "is once again the main partner of the 8th Trofeo Principato di Monaco le Vele d'Epoca in Laguna, aware of the cultural and economic value of this event, which highlights the strong maritime tradition of Venice and Italy in general. A tradition from which, in this field as in others, derives the value and quality of Italian knowledge, skill and art, today recognised throughout the world. Our Wealth Management combines the diverse specialisations of an international group such as BNP Paribas, with the ability to be close to our clients through BNL's network in Italy, in order to provide a 360° integrated approach in a high added-value environment."

8th TROPHY PRINCESS OF MONACO - Le Vele d'Epoca in Laguna BNL-BNP PARIBAS PRIVATE BANKING & WEALTH MANAGEMENT CUP
8th TROPHY PRINCESS OF MONACO - Le Vele d'Epoca in Laguna BNL-BNP PARIBAS PRIVATE BANKING & WEALTH MANAGEMENT CUP
8th TROPHY PRINCESS OF MONACO - Le Vele d'Epoca in Laguna BNL-BNP PARIBAS PRIVATE BANKING & WEALTH MANAGEMENT CUP
8th TROPHY PRINCESS OF MONACO - Le Vele d'Epoca in Laguna BNL-BNP PARIBAS PRIVATE BANKING & WEALTH MANAGEMENT CUP

Two regattas will be held on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 June. The regattas, which will be run according to the ratings of the C.I.M. (Comité International de la Méditerranée), there will be famous vintage and classic sails built between the early 1900s and 1975, including Sagittario (1972) of the Sport Velico Marina Militare, based at the "Francesco Morosini" Naval Military School in Venice, the Bermudan sloop Serenity (1936), Airone (1925) and the auric cutter Mariska (1908), one of the four 15-metre international tonnage boats in the world and the "twin" of Prince Albert II of Monaco's Tuiga (1909). Many boats were designed by Carlo Sciarrelli, the well-known yacht designer from Trieste, famous for his hulls with traditional lines. These include the catboat Chirone (1974), from which six more examples were later built, or Auriga (1971), which will celebrate 50 years since her launch, or the Spirit of Tradition Isabella, a 14-metre Bermudan yawl launched in 1999. From the Marche region will come Gilla, the 15-metre built in Germany in 1950. 
The Palinuro is scheduled to take part in the coastal regatta on Sunday 27 June in the waters off the Lido, and the 69-metre schooner used as a training sailboat for the Navy's cadets will also accompany the fleet during the traditional parade in St Mark's Basin. This beautiful three-masted vessel was launched at Nantes in France in 1934 with the name "Commandant Louis Richard". After fishing and transporting cod in the Newfoundland Banks, in 1950 she was acquired by the Navy, which gave her the name of the helmsman of the Aeneas ship. 
The parade will also be enriched by a fleet of around 30 historic wooden Rivas associated with the RHS, the Riva Historical Society, the association founded in 1998 by the boating pioneer Carlo Riva and the Milanese architect Piero Maria Gibellini, his biographer, which brings together owners from all over the world of the motorboats that have made nautical history. Just in those days the boats, coming from Italy, France, Germany, Holland, England, Switzerland and Luxembourg, will visit the Venetian lagoon on the occasion of their annual meeting.
Prizes, specially created by the historic Murano glassworks Barovier & Toso, founded in 1295, will be awarded to the top three in each of the four categories (Vintage, Classic 'A', Classic 'B' and Spirit of Tradition) while the overall winner will be awarded the Overall.
Important brands such as Diadora, Nature's, Dolomia and Alilaguna have confirmed their support for the Trofeo Principato di Monaco.