What could be considered the first seaplane competition in aviation history, far pre-dating the Schneider Trophy, was organised by Camille Blanc of the International Sporting Club of Monaco, assisted by Georges Prade, a journalist and the editor of the magazine L'Auto. It was staged under the supervision of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, created officially on 14 October 1905. The contest - in reality a series of tests and flight trials - was held between 24 and 31 March 1912 along the stretch of sea situated off the coastline between Monaco and the Italian city of San Remo. Some 10 entrants signed up, but only eight of them would vie for the main prizes: 8,000 francs for first place, 4,000 for second and 3,000 for third. The other participants would receive an equal share of the remaining 2,000-franc prize money available.
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