Gérard Depardieu, the French actor and entertainer, and Russian passport holder, has cancelled one of two concerts in Monaco during the last week of July.
In a communiqué from the Société des Bains de Mer, the reason for the cancellation on July 26 is a clash in his agenda. An appearance on the following day, July 27, will go ahead as planned.
Depardieu has been described as one of the most prolific character actors in film history, having been in 170 movies since 1967. He is particularly well known for his roles in Jean de Florette (1986) and Cyrano de Bergerac (1989).
Ticket holders are encouraged to contact their brokers to exchange their tickets or ask for a refund.
Port Hercules appeared to be covered with graffiti at the weekend as nine urban artists spray-painted their personal takes on the urgent topic of saving the oceans.
Instead of adorning the walls, the nine works were captured on canvass, each one telling its own tale about the seas, and destined for auction to the highest bidder later in the day for the benefit of the Prince Albert II Foundation.
A tenth work was a collaboration of passers-by and HSH Prince Albert himself, who added his own touch in person to the painting. The colourful and popular event with such a noble purpose had been five years in the planning. The Prince Albert II Foundation, while involved with many projects worldwide promoting bio-diversity and environmentalism, is particularly focussed on protecting the oceans.
Monaco’s Pavilion at the Astana EXPO-2017 in Kazakstan has exceeded all expectations.
The 100,000th visitor is expected at the Monaco Pavilion within a few days, following a total of 74,779 visits from the opening, on June 10, until July 10, a figure that represents an average of 2,500 visitors each day.
The EXPO’s theme is Energy of the Future, an area in which Monaco has demonstrated a great commitment and considerable expertise.
Yet little known by the Kazakhs, the Principality has aroused great interest among the public. According to the organiser of the EXPO, the Monegasque exhibition space is one of the top five pavilions measured in visitor numbers.
The fourth Monaco Solar & Electric Boat Challenge, organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco in partnership with UIM – the International Powerboating Federation – more than met the expectations of the 21 teams from seven competing countries that took part over three days on the weekend.
YCM General Secretary, Bernard d’Alessandri, said: “We are delighted to see more and more young people coming to this meeting. They bring new ideas and their enthusiasm for their projects is infectious.”
Marco Casiraghi, the man behind the project, said that the main purpose is to use the competition to promote eco-responsible propulsion to the largest number of people involved in marine motor-sport.
“This event is a way to raise public awareness. Sustainable energy sources exist today and it is up to us to demonstrate their application,” he stated.
Competitors from the Netherlands are particularly adept at solar racing. Gerhard van der Schaar’s boat “Clafis Victron Energy Solar Boat Team” won in the Open Class and Johannes van der Steen’s “Solarboatteam in Challenge A”, won the Fleet Endurance Race. Each one won the speed contest, slalom and one-on-one duels in their respective categories.
Looking to the future, the biggest challenge will be to reduce the bulk and weight of solar power sources on board the vessels. The exponents of solar power boating believe that competitions such as the Monaco Challenge will do much to promote innovation and enable more widespread use of solar energy in a wide range of applications.
Agnès Buzyn, Minister of Solidarity and Serge Telle, Minister of State
Agnès Buzyn, France’s Minister of Solidarity and Health, and Serge Telle, Monaco’s Minister of State, have signed a cooperation agreement on health safety and a second agreement on the treatment of blood products.
The framework agreement, signed July 13, is intended to formalise the pre-existing Franco-Monegasque agreements in health surveillance, the provision of emergency health facilities and the pooling of prevention and treatment. It also allows Monaco to be integrated into the PACA health crisis mechanism so that the Principality can fully commit itself to International Health Regulations of the World Health Organisation.
The agreement on blood products will enable the French Blood Establishment to ensure the treatment of blood collected by the Blood Transfusion Centre of the Princess Grace Hospital Centre of Monaco. This is intended to respond in the most effective way to the needs for blood products while respecting a high level of transfusion safety and ethical collection.
The signing of these two health accords is viewed by both countries as a major step forward in cross-border cooperation in health security.
Across July 3 to 8, the first annual Corfu Challenge was held. At its conclusion, George Sakellaris (owner of two of the competing yachts) and Team Proteus, were the 2017 Corfu Challenge winners.
The last race was held on Saturday, and spectators were delighted to watch the exciting pre-start match racing that played out. Conditions started out lighter than previous days, 12 to 16 knots from the northwest. When asked about the team’s pre-start plan, Proteus strategist Tommaso Chieffi explained, “Initially we decided to match race MOMO, we knew if we didn’t they would come after us. There was a lot of action because aside from us, Cannonball was going after Bella Mente to race for third.”
He expanded on the exciting start, “The great thing about this boat is they are so manoeuvrable and light, and with the large number of crew you can pretty much do anything.”
The race seven winner was Hap Fauth and team Bella Mente followed by MOMO, Proteus, Evniki and Cannonball. Rolex, the Official Timepiece, congratulates all teams for completing the first ever Maxi 72 regatta in Greece.
L-R: George Sakellaris, Christine Sakellaris and Hap Fauth
My friend George owns two of the yachts in this regatta, one captained by him (Proteus) and the other by his daughter. I also know Hap Fauth the owner of Bella Mente. I was fortunate enough to go out with Hap on his old yacht ‘Whisper’ in several of the St Barths Bucket Race Regattas over the years. The full sails are just so beautiful, and when racing on the Med with the spectacular vistas, it is just too beautiful.
It was the first-time a group of young sailors and with a female captain, Christine Sakellaris (under the guidance of veteran professionals), racing Evniki, were involved in a world class Maxi 72 event. Over the course of the week, the team was immersed in the daily grind amongst some of the highest-level sailors in the world.
Evoking a modern renaissance of sailing’s oldest Hellenic traditions, the Corfu Challenge has generated great enthusiasm throughout the competitive sailing community and has been included in the 2017 Maxi 72 Overall Trophy.
The regatta was organised by the Marina Gouvia Sailing Club, with the cooperation of the International Maxi Association (IMA) and the Maxi 72 Class. The event is open to all boats with a valid 2017 Maxi 72 Certificate, as well as boats with a valid endorsed 2017 IRC Certificate and a Maxi 72 Class confirmed Wild Card invitation.
“What has made the Corfu Challenge different than any other regatta is the heart, passion, and warm generosity of everyone who came together.” Cathy Sakellaris thanked everyone involved and especially mentioned the organising committee. From day one, committee members continued to give and asked for nothing other than to promote the sport we are all passionate about! Awards were given at the Museum of Asian art at the beautiful Palace of St Michael and St George in the heart of Corfu.
Photo: Rolex/ICARUS Sports
In addition to the hand crafted first-place trophy, a perpetual trophy was introduced in honour of George Coumantaros, an internationally-renowned businessman and veteran ocean racer who passed away in Athens, Greece, on October 17, 2016.
This year it was given to all Corfu Challenge Maxi 72 owners to signify the high level international racing showcased throughout the week.
Many of these superyachts are on to the next regattas at Cops del Ray in Palma at the end of this month, World Championship in Sardinia in early September and Malta’s Mid Sea Sailing in the middle of October.
Lorre White is an international luxury market expert and luxury media personality “The Luxury Guru”, Owner of White Light Consulting, Luxury blog www.LuxGuru.Typepad.com
Across July 3 to 8, the first annual Corfu Challenge was held. At its conclusion, George Sakellaris (owner of two of the competing yachts) and Team Proteus, were the 2017 Corfu Challenge winners.
Lorre White is an international luxury market expert and luxury media personality “The Luxury Guru”, Owner of White Light Consulting, Luxury blog