Did you know that Bernard d’Alessandri once Sailed from Monaco to New York?

Seaman at heart and over five decades at the helm of the Yacht Club de Monaco, General Secretary and Managing Director, Bernard d’Alessandri highlights one of his most memorable moment when he sailed from Monaco to New York.

Bernard d’Alessandri is the General Secretary and Managing Director, of the prestigious Yacht Club de Monaco. He arrived in the Principality of Monaco back in 1976.

“I was only 23 years old and I arrived just for a short time. I was hired by the yacht club, but it was very different back then. We were a team of four compared to close to 200 people today. I think it was a decision provided by life to me because since then, I am grateful enough to live by my passion.”

Do you remember any memorable sailing events?

“I would highlight my trip from Monaco to New York back in 1985. It was a wonderful experience with some friends. We did 28 days of sailing without any stops. It gave us a profound sense of freedom.”

That’s a long period on the water. One can only imagine the feeling you had when you first saw the coast again after such a journey.

“Yes, it was very interesting because we started from Monaco’s summer and we arrived in the cold almost winter-like to New York. The first image that comes to my mind is when I saw the Brooklyn bridge. It was a very special moment because it was the first time I saw cars again within a month. Arriving in New York, we were again in contact with people and life. It is a feeling that is hard to describe.”

If you could choose, would you rather be on a sailing boat or a superyacht?

“My passion was always for sailing boats. And my baby is Tuiga.”

Tuiga is a sailing boat, built in 1909, that symbolizes all the values dear to the Yacht Club de Monaco such as elegance, tradition, sportiness, and sailing with a united crew by building a team spirit. For Bernard, she is not only the most magnificent boat but also the perfect one to teach the young generation the secrets of maneuvering and adjustments.

Do you remember when you first saw her?

“Yes, it is a very vivid memory, because it was love at first sight. It was a Sunday morning when HSH Prince Albert II and I went to see her in Cannes. She was rebuilt piece-by-piece by Albert Obrist during a stunning four-year restoration. Eric Tabarly accompanied us with the handover of this boat he considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful yachts. I can honestly confess that Tuiga is the best thing in my sailor career.”

Is it difficult to sail the Tuiga?

“She is very different to sail. You have to start again to learn sailing with the Tuiga. It is always a special experience because you need to have a team of 15 to sail her. I had a wonderful team and after many years of practice, we arrived at a level where we could harness all her potential. However, to reach this point, our team first had to be very close. We also did many races with her.”

You probably safeguard many vivid memories with the Tuiga.

“It is always dear for me to think about the past and all the time spent on the Tuiga. I remember that once we sailed from Monaco to England which was the best part of my sailing career.”