The epic 8-day cycling event returns this month and a Mallorca contingent of riders are getting in the saddle for Blue Marine Foundation.
This month sees the return of the monumental London2Monaco cycle ride in aid of Blue Marine Foundation, taking place from 20-27 September.
100 riders will line up at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London and begin the eight-day cycle through Holland, Belgium, northern France and then onto the French Alps to arrive triumphantly in Monaco just in time for the start of this year’s edition of the Monaco Yacht Show.
This is the fifth year of the cycling event which sees individuals and teams from across the superyacht industry don their bespoke Le Col gear, custom-designed by Steve Edge Design, and get on their bikes to raise money for the ocean preservation charity Blue Marine.
This year’s ride also welcomes the first superyacht crew to participate. An eleven-strong team from the 90m Oceanco M/Y DreAMBoat are taking part. ”The boss is very much a philanthropist and encourages us as a crew to also give back via our giving committee” said Mike Kretschmer M/Y DreAMBoat Second Officer, avid cyclist and catalyst to get the team involved in London2Monaco (L2M) 2022. ”L2M not only raises money for an amazing charity who are provocatively helping to preserve our oceans but it’s a really good way for us to bond as a crew and get active after a long season.”
But Mike is not stopping there, he has high hopes that more crew will get involved. ”I’m hoping next year, inspired by DreAMBoat we’ll see many more crews at the start line in London. It’s good timing since it is a yard period for lots of yachts and we like nothing more than a bit of friendly competition!”
The DreAMBoat crew spent two weeks this summer in between guest trips on Mallorca and took full advantage of the must ride cycle routes on the island. ”It was great to get some road bike training in while we were on Mallorca, some of the crew hadn’t really ridden much before so it was great to get out there and explore,” Mike said
Also riding in this year’s London2Monaco is Mallorca based Marine Consultant Gary Miller. Gary had originally signed up for L2M 2021 but as that was cancelled due to the pandemic, he is very much looking forward to finally taking his place on the start line for eight days of epic adventure. A keen sportsman, he also is a part of a cycling team at home on the island and took the opportunity this summer holidays to up his fitness game preparing for London2Monaco by cycling through Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Gary said, ”Like many fellow riders in the L2M cycle, I’ve built my career around my passion for boats and the sea and firmly believe as Maritime professionals, we have a part to play in ocean conservation. Blue Marine has become a global catalyst for change and I’m proud to support them.”
Former Superyacht Chief Stewardess and race crew member, Claire Tibbott, has always been a passionate ocean conservationist having graduated with a Masters in Marine Biology and Aquaculture before her yachting career took off, nearly nine years ago. Now shore-based and residing here in Mallorca, she is thrilled to be working back in the fold with Blue Marine once again, as Partnerships Manager, to help roll out this year’s event, alongside her colleague and Head of Partnerships – Sara-Jane Skinner, who co-founded the ride back in 2016, with one of Blue Marine’s longest-standing superyacht industry partners – Winch Design.
Finally, private equity manager, investor and dedicated cyclist Hal Bosher, originally from Canada and now resident in Alcudia, wraps up the Mallorca contingent riding London to Monaco in aid of Blue Marine this year.
If you would like to get involved with this year’s event, there are still many ways in which to do so – whether as a rider or supporting the event as a sponsor.
“London to Monaco unites individuals, corporate teams and sponsors in an awe-inspiring adventure. The spirit and camaraderie of the ride grows with every new rider that comes on board, every mountain climbed and every mile covered. Your support is invaluable. Sponsorship makes the event possible and allows Blue Marine to continue its fight against the plight of our ocean. This is a unique opportunity to associate your brand with one of the most pressing topics of our day, ocean conservation, while gaining exclusive access to the elite of the Superyacht industry and connect with an affluent, switched-on demographic of professionals, celebrities, entrepreneurs and UHNWIs” said Sara-Jane Skinner.
The team at The Islander wish everyone taking part the very best of luck and we’ll see you at the finish line in Monaco at the famous Icon Connect after-party!
For more details on how to get involved: please email: clairetibbott@bluemarinefoundation.com
By Lucie Gardiner
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