The Principality of Monaco is holding a series of alternative energy boat races over three days in July designed to raise awareness about modern propulsion technologies. The event was started last year as the first Monaco Solar and Electric Boat Challenge. This year it has been expanded to include all types of clean-energy sources, although most boats probably will use solar or electric power.
A collaboration of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Hydros Foundation and the Union Internationale Motonautique, the competition involves university students who will design and race the boats.
The Yacht Club de Monaco has organized a new boat class for the event. “With this new class, the ambition is to encourage universities and boatyards to design and build solar and electric race boats that can be marketed and sold in the future,” said Marco Casiraghi, an engineer who worked with the YCM on the project.
Over the days from July 12 to 14, the competition will include timed slaloms, boat-to-boat drag races and a 15 nm offshore race from Monaco to Ventimiglia, Italy. See the video below for more:
http://yachtboatnews.com/monaco-solar-electric-boat-challenge/
