Organisers say an alternative finish on the Riviera is being sought
The Cowes to Monte Carlo marathon offshore powerboat race for the Venture Cup next June received a blow this week when authorities in Monte Carlo withdrew permission for the event to terminate in the Principality.
Event Chairman, Mike Lloyd, was shocked. “We had no inkling Monaco would adopted this attitude,” he says. “Our earlier meetings had all proved positive and no sound reason has been given for their decision apart from the fact a small boat show will be taking place at the same time.
“This event, however, was already well established when we made our initial approaches.”
Anything to do with offshore powerboat racing has not been a popular subject in the Principality since the husband of Princess Caroline, Stefano Casiraghi, lost his life while competing in a Monaco-based race in 1990.
Venture Cup organisers are now desperately seeking an alternative finishing port but with its June calendar date, when most Mediterranean venues are at their busiest, this will not be an easy task.
Mike Lloyd is still determined, he says: “This maybe an unexpected set-back but come what may I can assure competitors the event will still be finishing at an equally attractive location on the Riviera.”
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