Pierre Casiraghi: first decorated sailor to partner with Richard Mille

Since its creation in 2010, Les Voiles de St Barth has seen many prestigious sponsors: Patrick Demarchelier, Jimmy Buffett, Sir Peter Harrison, Jim Swartz, Jean Todt and Gérard Saillant, Loïck Peyron, Ken Read, Lionel Péan and Alessandra Sublet. This year, for the 10th anniversary of the regatta, the first decorated navigator to partner with watchmaker Richard Mille is 30-years-old young royal, and son of Princess Caroline de Monaco, Pierre Casiraghi.

Many qualities attracted Richard Mille to Casiraghi, who sponsors of the foundation “Sail for a Cause.” Casiraghi’s thirst for challenge and his eager for the risk truly echoed to Richard Mille, but Mille’s mission also appealed to the young royal.
“I am truly amazed by what Richard has achieved as an entrepreneur,” he said. “He has successfully created a brand that is both original and innovative.”

Photo courtesy of Richard Mille

Casiraghi wasn’t exactly born a sailor, but he became one in 2010, aboard the Tuiga, Monaco’s Yacht Club’s flagship. It doesn’t take long for Casiraghi to participate to regattas aboard the most epic boats such as VOR70, MOD70, IMOCA, GC32, TP 52, Esimir and so on. Twice winner of the Palermo-Monte Carlo regatta, he also won the Giraglia Rolex Cup aboard Esimit Europa II, the Cape to Rio Yacht Race, the Fastnet Race (3rd in doubles category) and the Middle Sea Race.

In 2016, he levelled up: Casiraghi put his own team together aboard a new generation of catamarans. Baptised “Malizia” in reference to the Grimaldi family, the catamaran was a risky bet: “My teammate Boris Herrmann and I wanted to start out straight away with a major challenge although neither of us had any experience with this type of boat,” said Casiraghi. “We fixed on the idea of buying one of the new ‘flying’ catamarans. It was a seriously risky wage.” For now, Boris Herrmann and Casiraghi purchased a monohull 60 footer boat, “Malizia II”, and they intend to participate the Transat Jacques Vabre.

“We are lucky to be in a sport that is constantly evolving, like automobile racing, and that’s great. Each generation gets to feel it is unique.”

Photo courtesy of Richard Mille

For St Barth’s regatta, Les Voiles de St Barth Richard Mille 2019, the young royal will be representing Richard Mille and will also be testing the watch RM 60-01 Regatta, specially made for sailors and its harsh environment. “I love its architecture, and besides, it’s the first mechanical watch I’ve seen that has both a prismatic and an orienteering compass, two crucial instruments for navigation,” said Casiraghi about the watch.

Photo courtesy of Richard Mille

For a reminder: the first race starts this Monday, April