Tribute to a 100-year-old Lady - Tuiga
by Blackwattle Studios on 23 Sep 2009
Tuiga - 100 years old this year SW
It was the ninth's Monaco Classic Week that Prince Albert of Monaco chose to celebrate the hundredth birthday of the flagship classic yacht of the Monaco Yacht Club, Tuiga.
Tuiga's story begins in 1909, when she was built by William Fife, at the request of the Duke of Medinaceli, a close friend of the King of Spain, Alfonso XIII, who owned a 15-metre yacht, Hispania.
William Fife designed Tuiga in the image of Hispania, so that the two 15-metre yachts could race together on equal terms. The resemblance was so strong that it was very difficult to tell them apart. The building of the ship took only six months.
Tuiga collected a long succession of second places, always behind the Spanish royal yacht. Rumors abounded that the owner preferred to 'curb' his yacht, not wishing to beat his friend and King Alfonso XIII.
She was meticulously later restored in the Fairlie Restorations ship yard, in England, and, after a number of different owners, acquired by Prince Albert of Monaco in 1995. Today she is usually moored at the pontoon of the Yacht Club de Monaco.
The birthday boat entered Port Hercule on Saturday, escorted by a flotilla of colourful Rivas and heralded by a storm of steam-boat whistles and horns, at the beginning of Monaco Classic Week.
Waiting to welcome the hundred-year-old flagship of the Yacht Club de Monaco were over 100 boats and their owners who had come to join in the anniversary celebrations. In total there were 50 classic yachts, 15 of which were over 100 years old, including five launched in 1909, 15 motor-yachts and over 40 Rivas, a name intimately associated with the Principality's history.
As part of their tribute, the Yacht Club de Monaco had invited Duke Rafael Medina Abascal, grandson of the Duke of Medinaceli, who gave life to Tuiga a hundred years ago; Ian Rose, owner of the gaff rig cutter between 1970 and 1982; and Albert Obrist who gave her a new lease of life just before Tuiga became the Principality's marine ambassador.
Tuiga's dimensions are: 76 ft / 50 ft, or 23.18 m / 15 m. According to crew members, as Tuiga has no bulwark, when heeled and sheeted hard the bow wave often drenches both the decks and crew!
With the publication of the book 'Tuiga 1909', so much interest was generated in the yacht that a club called 'Spirit of Tuiga' was formed, dedicated to Tuiga enthusiasts. The Club informs members of Tuiga's activities throughout the season and proposes special events and visits. For information please email spiritoftuiga@ycm.org
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