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Day: 1 May 2019

Beltoise joins grid as Jaguar Racing VIP driver

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/05/2019

The Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY series heads to Monaco for round seven on 11th May 2019 and Anthony Beltoise, the son of 1972 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix winner Jean-Pierre, will be the Jaguar Racing VIP driver.Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Bryan Sellers currently leads the championship following his second victory in a rain-affected race in Paris. The top four are separated by just 20 points, the equivalent of a race victory in eTROPHY.

47-year-old French racer Anthony Beltoise will join the grid in Monaco as the Jaguar Racing VIP driver. He will be aiming to replicate the success of his father, Jean-Pierre Beltoise, who won the Monaco Grand Prix 47 years ago in 1972. The Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY is a first for the experienced Frenchman, having never raced in an electric car before.

Beltoise’s first step into motorsport was in the Championnat de France Formula Renault 2.0 in 1993, before going on to win the French GT and Porsche Carrera Cup France Championships over 10 years later. He also competed at Le Mans on three occasions with a class podium in 2000.

Anthony has most notably competed at the Le Mans 24 Hours three times and took a class podium in 2000, driving for Viper Team ORECA alongside David Donohue and Ni Amorim, and in recent years has competed in GT racing.

His father Jean-Pierre drove in F1 between 1967-74 for Matra and BRM and won his only F1 championship race at Monaco.

“It will be a special occasion for my family to follow in the tyre tracks of my father who won the Monaco GP in 1972,” said Anthony. “The level of competition in eTROPHY is really high but I will definitely have my eyes on the podium.”

 

 

Official inauguration of the Institution François d’Assise – Nicolas Barré

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/05/2019

Prince Albert has officially inaugurated the new Institution François d’Assise – Nicolas Barré. While the school continues a tradition that has existed at the site for more than a century, the new establishment is equipped with the latest digital technology.

© – Direction de la Communication – Manu Vitali

Under the leadership of Bishop Barsi, a crowd gathered in the chapel, considered the heart of the establishment. “We pray that this establishment will be a light for young people and the educational community in their search for the truth,” said the Archbishop.

“A new period in the history of the institution opens,” added Minister of State Serge Telle, “because FANB is not a building like the others: it symbolises the alliance between soul and spirit.”

Built on the site of the former school that has welcomed students for more than 130 years, the new eight-storey building complies with the highest environmental standards and, according to a government statement, “is a perfect response to the challenges facing today’s education.”

For example, all classrooms are equipped with Interactive Digital Screens (ENI) which replace traditional tables.

“Rebuilding a school is an act of faith in the future,” Barsi told the crowd.

The inauguration was held on Saturday 27th April in the presence of Serge Telle, Minister of State, Mgr Bernard Barsi, Archbishop of Monaco, Stéphane Valéri, President of the National Council, Patrice Cellario, Government Counselor – Minister of the Interior, Didier Gamerdinger, Government Counselor – Minister of Social Affairs and Health, Isabelle Bonnal, Director of National Education, Youth and Sports, Christine Lanzerini, Director General, Head of secondary school, and many Monegasque personalities.

 

Zero fossil fuels at Monaco Boat Challenge

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/05/2019
Solar racing

The Yacht Club of Monaco has thrown down the gauntlet for the sixth annual Monaco Solar & Energy Boat Challenge, banning all fossil fuels and asking competitors and the Monegasque community to strive for zero emissions during the five-day event. Torqeedo has partnered with the YCM to ensure that all boats involved in the organisation of the event are 100% electric and will serve as the event’s Technical Sponsor.

Solar racing

“It’s essential that the yachting sector embrace clean energy sources to cut greenhouse gas emissions,” said Bernard d’Alessandri, Yacht Club of Monaco General Secretary.

The Monaco Solar and Energy Boat Challenge aims to inspire technical innovation by matching the creativity of young engineers with experienced manufacturers to design, develop and race emission-free boats. The excitement of racing is balanced with key players tackling issues such as how the yachting community can effect change on environmental challenges in the marine environment, sustainability and energy efficiency during a concurrent series of lectures and open forums.

Co-founder of Solar Impulse and Solar Class sponsor Bertrand Piccard said: “We need to demonstrate where the latest technology is leading us: it’s taking us a long way – in the right direction.”

“The Yacht Club of Monaco is, once again, demonstrating that it is a nerve centre of the green yachting movement,” said Dr. Christoph Ballin, co-founder and CEO of Torqeedo. “We’re proud to support the continued efforts of the Yacht Club of Monaco and its members to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage the development of sustainable boating technology.”

Teams from around the world will gather at the YCM to participate in the challenge from 2nd July through to 6th July. The event is hosted in partnership with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the International Powerboating Federation.

AS Monaco Basketball backs blood drive

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/05/2019

The recently renovated CHPG Blood Transfusion Center has welcomed Serbian AS Monaco Basketball coach Sasa Obradovic for a blood donation. It’s part of increased efforts to boost blood banks in the Principality.

The Blood Transfusion Centre team with Sasa Obradovic, the coach of AS Monaco Basketball. © Directorate of Communication – Manuel Vitali

“This is the first time I am giving blood,” said Sasa. “In Serbia and Russia, I have never had the opportunity to do so because of the movement and sequence of matches. I see that this is an important cause that helps people in trouble and I think everyone should give their blood.”

The aim of the action, which is also part of the Convention signed between the Government and the Principality’s professional basketball club, is to raise awareness among the Roca Team fans about this important health issue.

In the lead up to the Formula 1 Grand Prix, taking place from 23rd to 26th May, it is necessary for the CHPG teams to increase their blood supply. With this in mind, two collections will be held at the Blood Transfusion Centre on Tuesday 21stMay from 8am to 2pm and on Wednesday 22nd May from 10am to 3pm.

Each year, 5,000 donations of blood are needed for the 800 patients transfused in the Principality.

More information visit: http://www.chpg.mc/don-du-sang

 

Celebrity Fight Night Italy

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/05/2019

Details of this year’s Celebrity Fight Night in Italy have been revealed and it is, once again, destined to be one of the nation’s most exciting elite charity events of the year.

Credit: Luca Rossetti

Celebrity Fight Night is a star-studded evening that was annually presented in honour of their featured guest, Muhammad Ali, for more than 20 years. Founded in 2014, the event was born from a close friendship between Muhammad Ali and maestro Andrea Bocelli who, together with American organisers and Andrea’s wife Veronica, decided to bring the initiative to Italy.

Veronica Bocelli and Muhammad Ali. Credit: Phil Gudenschwager

The aim is to offer international donors a journey through the excellence of ‘Made in Italy’: music, art, fashion, style, food and all the best the country has to offer. Year after year, the event benefits from the most magnificent locations, the greatest musical talents and exclusive experiences.

Andrea Bocelli will be performing with friends during the concert. Credit: Luca Rossetti

Funds raised support the Andrea Bocelli Foundation and its educational projects in Italy and Haiti. Money raised during the Italian edition of the Celebrity Fight Night is also supporting the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Centre in Phoenix.

Andrea and Veronica Bocelli with their son in Haiti. Credit: Luca Rossetti

Over the years, the event has been supported by a host of celebrities including George Clooney, Richard Gere, Morgan Freeman, Sharon Stone, Susan Sarandon, Nicolas Cage, Antonio Banderas, Michael Caine, Sophia Loren, Elton John and many others.

Members of royal families, political and financial leaders and many important entrepreneurs have also taken part in CFN.

The first event this year will be held on 25th and 27th July with a gourmet dinner and concert at the Teatro del Silenzio in Lajatico, Pisa. Teatro del Silenzio is an open-air theatre in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, which is open for just a few hours each year. Its terraces face the small town of Lajatico in Valdera where Bocelli was born and raised.

The 2019 event will follow the same winning formula as ‘The night of Andrea Bocelli’ in 2017 at the Colosseum in Rome and in 2018 at the Arena di Verona.

Credit: Luca Rossetti

The second event will be an exclusive dinner at the Bocelli family’s villa in Forte dei Marmi by the sea on 28th July. Around 400 guests will have the opportunity to experience an entire night at Maestro Bocelli’s private house where he currently lives with his family.

The dinner will be followed by a fun-filled evening with music and dance with maestro Bocelli and many friends who will share the stage with him for an unforgettable night.

The dress code for the night is ‘white with a touch of gold’, and it will also see the auction of few selected items.

For additional information please contact:

Sarah Genovese sgenovese@celebrityfightnight.org

Valentina Pianezzi italy@celebrityfightnight.org

Cathedral concert 7th May

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/05/2019

A special concert is being held in the Cathedral of Monaco to recognise the important contribution that the Rotary Club of Monaco made last year to the Rainier III Academy.

Last November, the Rotary Club of Monaco made a significant donation to the academy, which allowed it to finance the purchase of five video projectors. The director of the Academy, Christian Tourniaire, together with Karyn Ardisson Salopek, Deputy Mayor and Delegate at the Academy, wanted to organise a large concert in the Cathedral on Tuesday 7th May at 7pm to thank their generous donor.

Students of the International Professional Formation of Choir Artists (FIPAC) of Monaco, under the guidance of their teacher Marie-Anne Losco, will open the evening before giving way to the organ students of Olivier Vernet, holder of the great organ of the Cathedral of Monaco. In closing, a program of soundtracks will be played by the Aerophonics ensemble,  directed by Ludovic Tallarico.

Admission is free.