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Month: October 2019

The rise of e-sports

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/10/2019

E-sports has started to reshape the entire sporting industry, fuelled by a young, tech-savvy generation who are no longer content with just watching sports, they also want to participate. Bringing these two worlds closer together is the creation of new, virtual reality gaming experiences. Wave Italy is one such company who is taking e-sports to a whole new level.

All indicators point to e-sports as being the future of all sport. Recent insights suggest that e-sports is set to reach €1.1 billion by the end of the current year, showing a growth of about 27% over last year. And, according to market researcher Newzoo, the video gaming industry will be worth €180 billion by 2021.

Formula One is the latest sector to tap into this lucrative industry, this year hosting its third annual F1 E-sports Championship with teams including Mercedes, Alfa Romeo, McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull. Anyone with a gaming console has the chance to become a virtual competitive driver, opening up a pandoras box of possibility for racing fans.

Taking this concept even further is Wave Italy, created in 2015 in Maranello, the HQ of legendary Ferrari. The engineering company began by developing a formula one car simulator, the Phoenix Pro, to offer a real F1 experience to the wider public via car museums, autodromes, specialised digital halls, and at public or corporate events.

“In order to achieve this, it was fundamental that we develop internally the control peripherals, such as the steering wheel and pedals set, but with a precise vision,” Alberto Gibellini tells Monaco Life. “Wave Italy was not just trying to upgrade arcade-gaming, we started from scratch with the philosophy: ‘From real racing cars to your simulator’.”

The next step was to branch out to offer their products, the peripherals, to the most exigent sim racers. The final part of the equation was further technological development which led to the Wave Apex – simulators used at the Professional Training Centre in Verona by real professional pilots who come to train with the help of a driving coach and real-time telemetry.

“We have our professional training centre in Italy where we have around 10 to 12 Formula Two, Three and Four teams training there,” says Alberto. “We gathered a team of professionals who can deliver on all stages of the implementation of a driving simulator: hardware, software, design, mechanics, motion, control and security. Marco, for example, was a coach at the Ferrari Academy. He now works for us.”

Wave Italy has developed everything from the ground up: the car structure, the high-tech steering wheel, the motion technology, the interactive seat belts, the racing pedals. All is available to racing enthusiasts to kit-out their virtual F1 car or a sophisticated GT rig, which is often easier to train and race with at home.

“This is as close as possible to Formula One reality,” reveals Alberto. “You have to be very skilled because the pedals, for example, can handle up to 200kg force for the break; the steering wheel is as sophisticated as the one in real F1 cars. The belts, they push and pull you. So, it is also physical training. It’s the closest thing to being in an F1 car without being in an F1 car.”

With e-sports set to be the mainstream entertainment of the future, gaming will gradually fight its way out of people’s lounge rooms and into the public domain.

“There are more than 100 different possibilities for virtual gaming,” says Alberto. “We are working with shopping malls, cruise liners, hotel resorts… every day we find a new opportunity that can be exploited.”

Maurizio Primo, Marco Zipoli and Alberto Gibellini and CEO Alex Martinelli

Just as elite level sports can deliver big pay checks for winning athletes, the monetary rewards are also impressive in e-sports.

“In competitive racing simulations, people are playing from their homes at international championship level and they can win hundreds of thousands of euros,” says Alberto. “There is also a strong interest from real sports car teams to find new talent. If you are fast in simulation, you are fast on track too, you just need some physical preparation. So, even if you don’t win the cup and money a simulated race, if you show a good driving technique you may just get a telephone call from an official racing team asking you to drive for them on asphalt!”

If you think you have what it takes to race in the Formula One E-sports Championship, try out Wave Italy’s pro simulator at Prince Albert’s car museum in Fontvielle.

 

ASM score another win

by: Staff Writer
27/10/2019

Prolific striker Wissam Ben Yedder grabbed his ninth goal of the season as Monaco handed Nantes their first home Ligue 1 defeat of the campaign on Friday.

Ben Yedder struck in the first half and had two more efforts ruled out for offside as Leonardo Jardim’s rejuvenated Monaco clinched a fourth win in their last five league outings.

They move into eighth place in the table while Nantes stay second, five points behind leaders Paris Saint Germain who take on bitter rivals Marseille on Sunday.

Nantes’ defeat ended their perfect record at home this season which had seen four successive 1-0 wins over Montpellier, Reims, Rennes and Nice.

“It’s important to win away from home for the first time this season,” said Jardim after Ben Yedder became the first Monaco player in 50 years to score nine goals in his first nine games in a season.

“Ben Yedder was always very effective at Toulouse and Sevilla. He is also in a better physical condition than at the beginning of the season.”

Ben Yedder grabbed the only goal after 22 minutes when he picked up a pass from Alexsandr Golovin, resisted a challenge from full-back Fabio before unleashing a fierce right foot drive into the roof of the net.

The French star thought he had a second just six minutes later when he found the target after an incisive pass from Algeria’s on-loan Islam Slimani.

However, Ben Yedder had strayed offside and the goal was ruled out.

Nantes were just a whisker from equalising in first-half stoppage time but Mali international striker Kalifa Coulibaly’s close-range header was well-saved by Monaco goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte.

Five minutes into the second half, Coulibaly was again unfortunate when his shot from a tight angle came back off the post of Lecomte.

On the hour mark, Ben Yedder had the ball in the net again but it was scrubbed off by VAR after Slimani was penalised in the build-up for offside.

The match against Nantes was the 188th in Ligue 1 for Leonardo Jardim – a record for a Portuguese coach in Ligue 1 Conforama.

 

Source: AFP

Photo: ASM Official 

SDA art exhibition at the YCM

by: Cassandra Tanti
25/10/2019

The Societè des Artes is organising a new art exhibition at the Yacht Club of Monaco combining works from the Renaissance, modern painters and emerging contemporary artists, all of which are available for purchase.

The Societè des Artes (SDA) manages hundreds of works of value thanks to its important links with great art collectors from the Renaissance to Modern art. Due to these contacts in the world of art, it is capable of hosting an array of interesting exhibitions.

Its latest event is a week-long exhibition open to the public, free of charge, in the unique setting of the Yacht Club of Monaco. Visitors will be able to admire works by great painters of the Renaissance such as Giampietrino, Tintoretto, Canaletto, and Tiepolo, which will be exhibited together with modern painters including Guttuso, Schifano, Adami, and Dorazio. There will also be emerging contemporary artists who are gaining wide acceptance: French sculptor Jivko Sedlarsky with his apparently light sculptures that defy gravity and express a sense of movement and grace; sculptress Lisy with her works of light; Marco Battaglini with his paintings suspended between the Renaissance and Pop Art; and Angelo Accardi who is considered one of the most fascinating artistic personalities on the international scene.

The exhibition will be a reference point for collectors living in Monaco and abroad.

The Principality is the first of a tour that will include many other major international cities. All the works on exhibit can be purchased and the presence of contemporary artists will allow guests to buy directly from them.

The event has a specific humanitarian purpose so at the end of the exhibition, during the final gala dinner, there will be a charity auction on behalf of the Monegasque foundation.

The exhibition is being held from 26th to 31st October.

 

Opera de Monte-Carlo to host cine-concert

by: Stephanie Horsman
25/10/2019

A silent film made in 1924 by Fritz Lang and his wife Thea von Harbou will be shown at the Salle Garnier of the Monte-Carlo Opera next month, accompanied by Jean-François Zygel on piano.

The film, called Die Nibelungen, is an epic tale in two parts and is considered a German masterpiece. It was inspired by the Wagner opera, Der Ring des Nibelungen based on a 13th century German poem.

The story tells the tale of a German prince whose untimely murder leads to a series of battles and the general destruction of all who are associated with him.

The first part is called ‘The Death of Siegfried’ and runs for two hours and 24 minutes. The second part, running two hours and two minutes, is called ‘Kriemhild’s Revenge’.

The screenings will be held on Sunday 3rd November. Part one will start at 11am and part two begins at 3pm. For more information, go to the Monte-Carlo Opera’s website at www.opera.mc

Later in the month, on 22nd and 23rd November, the Théâtre des Variétés is hosting two incomparable evenings encompassing a magical triptych of dance, music and art.

Musical duo Nouvelle Philharmonie will perform a variety of pieces from known composers as well as a selection of their own compositions.

An exhibit by Belarusian artist Pavel Tatarnikov will be on display, with paintings based on Belarus folk legends and the country’s most beautiful castles and cities.

Finally, the Belarusian State university of Culture and Arts will perform Chancel, a contemporary dance spectacle from the school’s choreography department.

For tickets and information go to www.fnacspectacles.com

 

 

UN honours Monaco for its digital transition efforts

by: Stephanie Horsman
25/10/2019

Monaco has presented its ambitious digital transition plan to the United Nations.

Jean-Laurent Imbert, the First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Monaco to the United Nations, spoke at the General Assembly last week of the most recent innovations put into action by the Principality for its digital transition.

The theme of the meeting was ‘Information and communication technologies for sustainable development’ and Mr Imbert presented the strategy and accomplishments the government has put in place thus far, and what the plans were for the future as well.

He announced the next phase in the Extended Monaco programme, saying: “Whether Smart-City, blockchain, e-health, or e-education, digital technology affects many fields. The growing importance of this sector, both as a creator of wealth and a vector of innovation, will contribute to achieving our goals in terms of sustainable development, as well as improving the quality of life.”

The Extended Monaco plan is based on a unique vision that a small country like Monaco has distinct advantages for a rapid digital revolution due to its size, capacity for action, investment potential and brand image. The model is based on community efforts and reaching for opportunities in a place where government support and information is available.

Mr Imbert also presented an overview of the future of public service in the Principality utilising technologies such as digital identities, digital safes, and the implementation of an e-administration.

 

No Finish Line to celebrate 20 years

by: Stephanie Horsman
25/10/2019

Who would have imagined in November 1999 that the first No Finish Line, created by the Junior Economic Chamber of Monaco to celebrate and promote the 1st Monegasque Day of the Rights of the Child, would still be around 20 years later?

The first edition attracted 750 participants who travelled 9,000 kilometres. Fast forward to the 19th edition held last year, and more than 15,600 people had completed over 432,670 kilometres. For this, the 20th anniversary edition, new records are expected to be broken.

Since the launch of this extraordinary adventure, 126,045 runners and walkers have helped raise €3,666,941 for projects benefiting poor and sick children.

The concept of No Finish Line is for participants to run or walk on a marked circuit of 1,370 metres in the district of Fontvieille, 24/24 from 16th to 24th November. Registration is required (€12 for adults and €6 for under 10 years of age).

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, a new challenge has been set: to attract 16,000 participants and cover 450,000 kilometres.

New this year will be the 20-year challenge. On 20th November at 8pm (20h), the challenge will begin, and the top 20 participants of the team who has travelled the most kilometres over the space of 20 straight hours will be crowned the winners.

The regular 24-hour non-stop challenge will once again form part of this year’s NFL event. It is listed as one of the out-of-stage races of the French Athletics Federation and will take place from Saturday 23rd November to Sunday 24thNovember. Participation is limited to 100 places.

No Finish Line also offers 50 ultra-runners the chance to run for nine days and eight nights from 14th to 16thNovember. In 2018, the male winner had travelled 900 kilometres and the female winner 843 kilometres. But the record has not been broken since 2012, when 1,041 kilometres was achieved in the men’s section, and 924 kilometres was travelled by a female.

For 20 years, Prince Albert II has been a strong supporter of No Finish Line, taking part each year in running a few laps of the circuit.

For every kilometre travelled by young people under the age of 20, an anonymous donor will donate €1 to Children & Future.

Meanwhile, the NFL welcomes the Casino Group as its new sponsor, which will provide all the necessary supplies to participants during the eight-day event. On average, that equates to 1.4 tonnes of oranges and bananas, 4,000 packets of biscuits and 12,000 cereal bars.

Entertainment for the 20th celebratory edition will include the Prince’s Carabinier Orchestra and surprise guests, a birthday party with party favours and giant birthday cake under the Bip Top in Fontvielle, a karaoke evening, speed-dating, and a special appearance by the new Roca basketball team.