Monaco has long been a stage for pioneering adventures, where tradition and innovation meet against the backdrop of the Mediterranean.
On September 15, that legacy took on a new dimension as Massimiliano Mordenti, Italian entrepreneur and official pilot of the Fédération Monégasque Motonautique, launched from the Yacht Club de Monaco on a daring mission: a long-distance jet ski record to Gallinara Island and back.
Together with his wife Erminia, co-founder of the Offroad Club Monaco (OCM), Massimiliano Mordenti successfully completed the course and has been officially homologated by the UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique) with the World Record for long-distance jet ski. This achievement is groundbreaking not only for the endurance and determination it required, but also for the pioneering choice of machine: a jet ski powered entirely by bioethanol.
The crossing lasted around three hours. The sea was restless, the weather unpredictable – yet the symbolism was stronger than the waves. This was not only a test of speed, but a statement that sport at the highest level can evolve responsibly, uniting adrenaline with environmental awareness.
A World’s First Uniting Sport & Responsibility
Ideated and led by the Offroad Club Monaco, with the valuable active participation of the Fédération Monégasque Motonautique and the supervision of the UIM, as well as the support of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the patronage of the Embassy of Italy in Monaco, the official record carried a message beyond the achievement itself: innovation, respect for the environment, and passion for sport are not mutually exclusive but complementary forces. This vision is embodied in the OCM’s philosophy, described as “The Wake of Monaco.”
It captures the idea of setting out from the Principality to explore, to challenge limits, and to share values of cohesion, peace, and love for the sea – before returning home, enriched by the journey.
Innovation at the Service of the Sea
Central to the achievement was the use of 100% bioethanol, coupled with a pioneering refueling system designed for the project by engineer Andrea Pezzini of Floating Life. Created with 3D printing from recycled high-density polyethylene and fitted with brass ducts, the spill-proof cap allowed safe mid-sea refueling without leakage – a clear step toward more sustainable nautical practices.
Anchoring the project was the Yacht Club de Monaco, more than a start and finish line—it was the heart of the event. Its support, spirit, and expertise transformed the record into a shared celebration of Monaco’s nautical culture, reaffirming the principality’s role as a hub for innovation and adventure at sea. As the Mediterranean calmed after the crossing, the message remained clear: the future of water sports lies not only in records but also in responsibility.
From Monaco’s shores, the Offroad Club has shown that passion, performance, and sustainability can chart the same course – a wake that others will surely follow. And this is only the beginning, as new projects are already on the horizon, set to further push boundaries and carry Monaco’s pioneering spirit across the seas.
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