Formula One World Champion and Monaco resident Mika Häkkinen
Monaco resident Mika Häkkinen, the former Formula One World Champion, is to cycle 322 kilometres from Tuscany to Monaco to raise funds for Caudwell Children, the UK charity that provides practical and emotional support to disabled children and their families.
Häkkinen, 48, nicknamed “The Flying Finn” for his speed around the track, has agreed to participate in the Tuscany to Monaco Cycle Challenge after meeting John Caudwell, the entrepreneur, philanthropist and Founder of Caudwell Children.
“I’ve been privileged to meet and get to know John,” explained Häkkinen, “His vision and passion for the charity has truly inspired me, and I felt compelled to get involved.”
When he learned that Modesta Vzesniauskaite, the former Lithuanian Olympic cyclist, had organised the three-day Cycle Challenge, which starts September 22, to raise funds for the charity he jumped at the chance of registering for the event.
“I’ve been cycling since I was a young boy,” said Häkkinen, the 1998 and 1999 World Champion. “If I remember correctly my first bike was a Tunturi bike, a Finnish brand. It had no shifts and only had pedal breaks. I was so proud.”
Häkkinen has a number of bikes to choose from but he’s hoping his Giant will get him over the line in Monaco, despite his longest ride to date being an 140 km cycle from St Tropez to the Principality. As he explained: “I’ve done this ride a few times now for Her Highness Princess Charlene, and it’s a beautiful ride, as I’m sure the Tuscany to Monaco ride will be.
Häkkinen, says that cycling is not only a great outdoor exercise but is also a great way to socialise. “I like to ride with friends and it gives me a great chance to chat and catch up. “It’s only since I finished my career that I’ve really started to appreciate the social aspect of it.”
Money raised by Häkkinen, and a team of fellow cyclist, will allow Caudwell Children to continue providing hospital and in-home family support, mobility and sensory equipment, and access to specialist sports equipment. Funds will also assist fully supported family holidays for children with life-threatening conditions and activity days and life-changing therapies and treatments.
Although he’s not cycling as much as he would like, Häkkinen says the challenge will be part of his fitness regime. “The Tuscany to Monaco ride will push me to get on my bike and practice a bit more. But for me it goes way beyond fitness, it includes other things like sleep and nutrition as well.”
Day one of the event, on Friday, September 22, will see cyclists riding over 117 km through the beautiful rolling Tuscan countryside from San Gimignano to Forte dei Marmi.
On the second day, participants will be in the saddle for 137 km miles as they are pushed to their limits on the undulating roads to the lovely town of Rapallo.
On their final day of their challenge, on Sunday, September 24, the cyclists will encounter some strong coastal winds as they head towards the finish line in Monaco.
“I’m very proud to support Caudwell Children, it’s a great charity, and I can’t wait to get started on this extremely worthwhile challenge.”
Donations can be made through Mika Häkkinen’s Just Giving Page or join Mika Häkkinen, fellow riders and guests at their celebration Ocean Gala Dinner (tickets from €500) on September 24 at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel. Contact events@caudwellchildren.com.
Charlotte Casiragh at Row Gucci RTW Spring/Summer 2018. Charlotte Casiraghi front row at Gucci RTW Spring/Summer 2018. Photo: Courtesy REX/Shutterstock
On Wednesday, Charlotte Casiraghi made her usual appearance front row at the Gucci Spring/Summer 2018 show in Milan. A former model in four separate campaigns for their Forever Now series and the face of Gucci Cosmetics’ first ever collection, Charlotte is often spotted wearing the Italian brand’s designs at events including Monaco National Day and the annual Met Gala. Her loyalty to the brand has stood the test of time and a change of creative direction.
Charlotte Casiraghi front row at Gucci RTW Spring/Summer 2018. Photo: Courtesy REX/ShutterstockCharlotte Casiraghi in Forever Now CampaignCharlotte Casiraghi with Gucci Sylvie bag at Monaco National Day 2016. Photo: Charly Gallo/Manuel Vitali/DC
Opting for natural makeup, the 31-year-old mother of one kept it simple in a black T-shirt and a leather flower print skirt with rhinestones from the Gucci Spring/Summer 2017 collection and pink pumps.
Charlotte’s history with Gucci extends far beyond the glamour of runway shows and red carpets. In May 2010, Gucci sponsored her when she debuted as a promising rider for the Global Champions Tour that started in Valencia, Spain, through Europe and finished in Rio de Janeiro, wearing an exclusive equestrian wardrobe, designed entirely for her by then Gucci creative director Frida Giannini. In 2014 she competed in the Gucci Paris Masters.
Charlotte Casiraghi In Gucci Special Collection for Charlotte Casiraghi and Gucci customised boots
The inaugural “Monte-Carlo Gala for the Global Ocean” will be held on the exclusive Terraces of the Opera of Monte-Carlo on Thursday, September 28, during the Monaco Yacht Show. Proceeds will support the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation’s initiatives in favour of a sustainable global ocean.
Presided over by HSH Prince Albert and hosted by Global Fundraising Chairman Milutin Gatsby, the inaugural Global Ocean Gala will honour Leonardo DiCaprio for his outstanding actions for the preservation of our planet.
During the evening, Simon de Pury will conduct a live auction, which will be filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences, collectibles and memorabilia, and a selection of fine art from some of the world’s most important artists.
Uma Thurman, Goldie Hawn, Andy Garcia, Kevin Spacey, Eva Longoria, Madonna, Joe Pesci, Martin Scorsese, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tobey Maguire, Enric Sala and Terry Tamminen are among they Event Chairs for the fundraiser, confirming their commitment for the conservation of our ocean.
Representing more than 70 percent of the planet’s surface and 97 percent of the biosphere, the global ocean plays a key role in climate regulation, producing 50 percent of the oxygen we breathe and absorbing 25 percent of the carbon dioxide released in the atmosphere.
Since its inception in 2006, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has clearly positioned the global ocean among its top priorities. The Foundation’s activities include efforts to better understand the environmental dangers to which our ocean is exposed, fight against plastic pollution, strengthen and develop marine protected areas, conserve endangered species, and promote innovative solutions for a sustainable ocean.
Contact for more information about ticket and table availability: event@fpa2.org.
Prince Albert West Point 2017. Photo: Facebook Prince’s Palace of Monaco
While Prince Albert was in New York to attend the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, General RL Caslen, Superintendent of the West Point Military Academy, welcomed him on Monday, September 18, to the famous military academy, 61 years after the visit of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace who came to attend a famous football match between the Army and the Navy.
Prince Albert West Point 2017. Photo: Facebook Prince’s Palace of Monaco
Prince Albert West Point 2017. Photo: Facebook Prince’s Palace of Monaco
Prince Albert West Point 2017. Photo: Facebook Prince’s Palace of Monaco
Prince Albert West Point 2017. Photo: Facebook Prince’s Palace of Monaco
Prince Albert West Point 2017. Photo: Facebook Prince’s Palace of Monaco
Prince Albert West Point 2017. Photo: Facebook Prince’s Palace of Monaco
Prince Albert West Point 2017. Photo: Facebook Prince’s Palace of Monaco
Prince Albert West Point 2017. Photo: Facebook Prince’s Palace of Monaco
Prince Albert West Point 2017. Photo: Facebook Prince’s Palace of Monaco
Located in the state of New York, West Point Military Academy hosts nearly 4,500 Cadets. After a rigorous selection process and four years of rigorous studies, the Cadets are destined to become the future leaders of the American army.
During his visit, Prince Albert was able to speak with senior officers and cadets during an informal lunch and a Q&A meeting in the presence of a French student from Saint-Cyr, France’s prestigious Military Academy. Among the gifts exchanged, the Cadets wanted to surprise the Sovereign by offering him a frame of photos containing images of the visit of his parents in 1961, as well as photos of his own visit taken that morning.
Kate Snipes, a USDA Advisor for Agricultural Affairs; Simon Hankinson, US Consul General in Marseille; Monty Brown of the US Meat Export Federation; and Riccardo Giraudi, owner of the BeefBar (Giraudi Group). Photo: Monaco Life
On Monday, the BeefBar in Fontvieille welcomed newly appointed American Consul General in Marseille, Simon Hankinson, in his first visit to Monaco.
The unique occasion, hosted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Paris, in cooperation with USDA office in Rome and the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF), brought together some 40 restaurateurs in the South of France, Monaco and Northern Italy.
The event was to highlight high-quality organic American beef to the hotel and restaurant industry in the high-value integrated regional market.
Riccardo Giraudi, owner of the BeefBar, is a prime example of high value. Beefbar is part of the Giraudi Group, the European leader in the import of hormone-free US Black Angus for over ten years and the first restaurant to import American organic beef.
Frederick H Giles, Agricultural Counsellor US Embassy in Rome; Monty Brown of the US Meat Export Federation; Kate Snipes, a USDA Advisor for Agricultural Affairs; Simon Hankinson, US Consul General in Marseille; and Riccardo Giraudi, owner of the BeefBar (Giraudi Group). Photo: Monaco LifeBeefBar burgers. Photo: Monaco Life
“Today we are happy to show you what American beef can offer,” Mr Giraudi, whose group also owns Song Qi, Mozza, Bouchon, La Salière, Moshi Moshi, Grubers and Pantone Café in Monaco, announced as sliders were being sampled by hungry guests, followed by other tasting plates.
Monty Brown of the US Meat Export Federation, took BeefBar’s reputation a step further by commenting: “We are in one of the best restaurants in the world for serving quality American beef.”
Kate Snipes, a USDA Advisor for Agricultural Affairs told Monaco Life, “The US is the largest beef producer in the world and we’re not saying to only import American beef but we have a passion for making quality products to put in front of customers.” Ms Snipes also pointed out that despite common belief about the US cattle industry being industrialised, 97 percent of the beef cattle farms in America are family-run.
US Angus beef at BeefBar. Photo: Monaco Life
Due to EU legislation, only high-quality beef can be imported from the US, which means, according to the US Meat Export Federation, that the beef is “produced from cattle less than 30 months of age” and are part of a non-treated cattle program (NHTC) approved by the EU.
Monaco Life also sat down with Simon Hankinson, US Consul General in Marseille, to talk about his new post in Marseille, which he started in July of this year. “We have a great relationship with the French,” he commented, “and our team works hard at developing people-to-people connections to continue to build on existing Franco-American relations.”
Mr Hankinson grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, although he lived in Paris, as his father was with the Foreign Service, with his family for four years from the age of one. He speaks French, but credits this more to his time in Togo, as Deputy Chief of Mission from 2011-2014. “I find the French very accommodating when you make an effort to speak their language.”
He earned an MA from St Andrews and a law degree from the College of Law, London and in 1999 entered the Foreign Service, which has included posts in Delhi (India), Suva (Fiji), Accra (Ghana) and Bratislava (Slovakia).
From 2014-2015, Mr Hankinson was a Counterterrorism Fellow at National Defense University in Washington, where he earned an MA in International Security Affairs before moving on to Senior Coordinator for Strategic Planning in the Visa Office of the Bureau of Consular Affairs in Washington.
“Representing the US is a large part of my job,” he said. “We work with various community programs from Toulouse to Menton, and as France has a lot of cultural ceremonies related to war time, I’m often invited to attend.”
Mr Hankinson pointed that the US Consulate General Marseille offers all the consular services of the American Embassy in Paris. And since the US Consular Agency in Nice closed in September 2015, Marseille is now the closest location for American consular, notorial and administrative services on a day-to-day basis, as well as for US citizens in emergency situations, and many of the services can be found online.
Q&A with Darrell Hall of Monaco-based YACHTZOO, and all you need to know about berths and charters
ML: Tell us about your background in the industry.
DH: I have worked in yachting for 32 years, having started as a deckhand in 1984 and working my way up to being a captain on board both sailing yachts and motor yachts. My time working on yachts has helped me to better understand how yacht owners like to use their vessels, and it gives me practical and technical knowledge of yacht operations.
ML: You co-founded YACHTZOO nearly a decade ago. What exactly is a luxury yacht brokerage company? DH: YACHTZOO was set up in 2007 by my three partners and me, all very experienced yacht and charter brokers. We share a philosophy of providing clients with the very best service possible, whether they are chartering or looking to build a completely custom yacht. YACHTZOO has offices in the world’s biggest and most important superyacht hubs, in Monaco and Fort Lauderdale. We now employ 22 staff – including 17 in Monaco – and provide a full range of services, including yacht sales and purchase, new construction, charter retail and management, yacht management, and purchase and sales of yacht berths.
ML: What advantages does having your head office in Monaco give YACHTZOO over global yacht companies with an office in Monaco?
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DH: Monaco has the highest concentration of wealthy people in the world, having once again this year ranked top global city for millionaires-per-head. Yachting is obviously a passion and lifestyle that requires significant means, so Monaco is, therefore, logically the yachting epicentre in Europe, and arguably the world. The high-end Yacht Club de Monaco and protected harbour also make this a great spot in which to base your yacht.
Being based here allows YACHTZOO to easily and discreetly work closely with many of our clients, whether they live here or are visiting for business – not to mention cruising the spectacular waters on their yachts.
From a business perspective for YACHTZOO, the concentration of both yachting clients as well as related companies – brokers, designers and a vast range of service providers – makes it the place to be as a company in yachting.
ML: You mentioned the sale of yacht berths, something a future yacht owner must tally into the financial equation. Do you have to buy a berth or can you rent one? DH: It is not a requirement for every yacht to have a home berth and in fact the majority of 40m+ yachts tend to rent them. There are three main advantages to buying a berth. In terms of security, with the increasing number of 70m+ yachts being launched and the limited number of superyacht berths available, demand will soon outstrip supply, especially in the sought-after ports and luxury marinas of the Mediterranean. Owning a home berth gives you peace of mind in having a berth readily available.
Then you need to consider longevity. A home berth helps to increase crew longevity. This continuity improves the owner and charterer experience onboard by having a happier, more efficient and more knowledgeable crew.
Finally, savings. Compared to a monthly basis, a long-term lease is cheaper than renting. When the berth is not in use, rental income can offset or even cover the costs on the yacht’s berth rentals in other marinas. This is normally handled by the marina for a fee, ranging from 10% to 25%.
Founding four members of YACHTZOO L-R: Darrell Hall, Kirsten Ringsing, Paola Scalabrino & Chris Richardson.
ML: What amenities are included in the purchase of a berth? DH: You can expect the essentials like shore power, water and grey/black water removal. Internet access, crew facilities, parking, storage and concierge services should be included.
ML: How do regulations and taxes affect where you choose your berth? DH: The berth in a homeport should be a practical base for the superyacht and its owner. An owner may choose according to proximity to their other homes, to crew and owner facilities in a marina, or whether it is close to areas that charterers/guests would like to cruise.
There are many places that have seen the benefit to local businesses and the overall economy by encouraging yachts to choose a homeport with them.
Some, such as Porto Montenegro and OneOcean Port Vell in Spain, are able to offer fiscal benefits in VAT and tax, others such as Italy’s Marina di Stabia and Marina di Loano are able to provide a convenient location for charter and cruising, without the higher price tags of more crowded marinas in traditional “hotspots”. Wherever is best to be is based on a yacht owner’s particular situation, and this is where the knowledge and experience of a professional yacht brokerage such as YACHTZOO will be able to help.
ML: How does one go about getting a berth on the Riviera? DH: There is a range of options and although many of the marinas on the French/Monegasque Rivieras are generally full with waiting lists, we are dialled into the network of people buying and selling the berths – as well as the marinas themselves. This is important for clients who would like to be able to access rare opportunities such as buying a berth on the Riviera.
It’s also worth considering other options such as Marina di Loano, which is based just a few hours’ cruising from Monaco. This modern marina has all the facilities that the crew will need to maintain your yacht, as well as a number of enticing advantages for owners such as a superb restaurant and yacht club.
ML: Let’s talk about chartering. How does an owner go about chartering his/her yacht? DH: The first thing to do is approach a team of professional charter managers that is connected to an excellent network of retail brokers, who will introduce their clients to your yacht. The charter managers should work with you to outline expectations for your own use of the yacht, as well as what you would like to achieve in chartering it out. Once you have worked through this together, you will sign a central listing agreement. They will then market your yacht worldwide, both via in-house charter brokers and through all other professional charter brokerage companies. Our YACHTZOO charter management team is based out of Monaco and Fort Lauderdale, in the two biggest yachting centres in the world, so they are brilliantly placed to market clients’ charter yachts.
ML: What are the pros and cons of chartering your yacht? DH: The major benefit is that you can offset the operational costs of owning a yacht through the income you receive from the charters. If your yacht charters well, this can also be very attractive to potential buyers if you ever choose to sell and upgrade. It may mean that the yacht is perhaps less available to you at any possible moment, if there is a charter onboard. But with good communication and a great charter management team, you can be sure to have access to your yacht when you want it.
ML: How do you determine the cost of chartering your boat and is this taxable revenue? DH: This is highly complex and will vary on a case-by-case basis. It is best to discuss your particular situation with a professional and experienced charter management team.
ML: Sounds like you wear a lot of hats at YACHTZOO. What do you love about your job? DH: I don’t consider it a job, as it is a lifestyle and my passion! We turn dreams into reality.
ML: Best yachting-related app or gadget? DH: Yatco and Marine Traffic.
