THE Prince of Monaco hosted a special event for the organisers of Cork300 in Monaco recently, highlighting the 300th anniversary of the Royal Cork Yacht Club.

Prince Albert II, who is president of Yacht Club de Monaco, hosted the event on October 19 to show his support for the upcoming celebrations.

The Royal Cork Yacht Club, which is the oldest yacht club in the world, will celebrate its anniversary with events on and off the water across Cork harbour next summer, looking back at the origins of sailing.

The historic celebrations will shine a light on the heritage of sailing and will serve as a significant milestone for the sailing community worldwide.

Yacht Club de Monaco, which is the only club in the world twinned with the Royal Cork Yacht Club, will help promote the Cork300 event series both within Monaco and internationally.

It will also participate in a number of events in Cork next year.

“Yacht Club de Monaco is thrilled with our close relationship with the Royal Cork Yacht Club, our twinning, and this wonderful occasion that will further celebrate our relationship,” Prince Albert II said.

“There will be a strong representation from Monaco for Cork300, and I will also do my best to attend. I would like to congratulate Royal Cork on your amazing history and the great history of your club.

“We are absolutely and wholeheartedly thrilled to be part of the celebrations for Cork300.”

The Cork300 team are working closely with the Yacht Club de Monaco to ensure the Cork event honours the past, present and future of powerboating and are exploring ways in which some of the winning teams from the 2020 edition of the Monaco Solar & Energy Boat Challenge can participate in Cork300.

Many Yacht Club de Monaco sailors will also stay on for the famous Volvo Cork Week and the Three Championship Weeks in August.

• For more see www.cork300.com.