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Day: 18 November 2019

Debacle at Brazil Grand Prix

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/11/2019

Team Ferrari suffered a major set-back at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday when, with a mere six laps to go, Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel sensationally collided, ending the race for both.

Though the Grand Prix season is nearing its end with only one more race to go and Lewis Hamilton the undisputed champ, the drama is hardly at an end.

The Brazilian Grand Prix in Interlagos was a show-stopper, with Max Verstappen’s less-than-nail-biting win being overshadowed by Vettel and Leclerc colossally imploding whilst vying for fourth place.

The teammates have been fiercely competing all season and have had a number of high-profile run ins, all culminating in this disastrous crash that left them both out of the running.

Leclerc started the race in 14th but by lap 66 had passed Vettel for fourth place. Vettel came back and they had a small crash, but it was enough to leave Vettel with a puncture and Leclerc without suspension. Both seem happy to lay blame at the other’s doorstep.

“Seb went around the outside but I left the space and then he squeezed me to the inside,” said Leclerc to The Guardian. Vettel lashed back that he “didn’t have space on the right and tried to pass.”

A big mess all around.

The Ferrari debrief session was no doubt unpleasant for both pilots, though diplomatic Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto restrained himself from placing blame publicly on either man at this point.

The final race of the season will be held on Sunday 1st December at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

 

 

Monaco Digital Advisory Council meets

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/11/2019

A group of eight digital technology experts from around the globe converged last week at the Monaco Yacht Club for their second annual meeting to discuss the challenges and possibilities of the digital transition.

HSH Prince Albert II was on hand as chairman of this board of forward-thinking representatives who have come to Monaco to meet and assist the Principality in its strategies and implementation of the #ExtendedMonaco digital transition plan.

Frédéric Genta, Interministerial Delegate in charge of the Digital Transition, led the meetings and reiterated the importance of making this switch, saying, “The digital transition is the biggest challenge for countries, businesses and individuals. The positioning of each entity and the ability to benefit from this revolution will determine the winners of the present and future economy.”

The technology specialists who attended were Professor of Artificial Intelligence from Imperial College London, Nick Jennings; Marc-André Kamel, Partner and Director of Bain & Company, who is a leader in Transformation and Customer Strategy and Marketing Divisions; Axelle Lemaire, former French Secretary of State for Digital; mobility expert from Northwestern University, Professor Hani Mahmassani; Chapman University Professor Niklas Myhr, the world’s leading expert on social networks; Singaporean Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore in charge of the Smart Nation, Vivian Balakrishnan; Former President of Chinese search engine Baidu, Zhang Ya-Quin; and Loïc PLANTEVIN: Partner of Bain & Company, who heads the Healthcare in Europe division.

#ExtendedMonaco has already launched several successful projects in the Principality.

 

And they’re off!

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/11/2019

No Finish Line, the eight-day 24/24 running/walking event hosted for the past two decades by the association Children & Future, began the 2019 race on Saturday with HSH Prince Albert II doing the honours of firing off the starting gun.

Celebrating its 20th year, No Finish Line Monaco has attracted more than 12,000 pre-registered participants, with the possibility of 4,000 joining additionally and a goal of covering 450,000 kilometres in eight days. That’s nearly 20,000 more than last year’s finish.

Racers are comprised of both individuals and teams who for eight solid days run or walk a 1,400 metre circuit in a relay-type set up. For every kilometre covered, €1 is donated to benefit children around the globe who are gravely ill and underprivileged.

Prince Albert made the first round of the route after officially opening the race on the podium. Joining him on stage were the founder of Children & Future Philippe Verdier and president Ariane Favaloro, holding five-year-old Adama, who will be one of the recipients of the event’s largesse when she goes in soon for a necessary operation at the Cardio-Thoracic Centre. 

As such, the event is also a reminder to those who participate, donate to or sponsor NFL that good health is a not something that everyone can take for granted, and that by participating, they are giving a child who is less fortunate a shot at regaining their well-being or saving their lives.  

Children & Future also host a yearly dance spectacle that invites children and adults from dance schools all over Monaco, Italy and France to compete for a trophy whilst raising funds for the organisation.

 

Photos: No Finish Line Monaco Facebook page

 

PA2F-sponsored solar car comes 2nd in Aussie race

by: Cassandra Tanti
18/11/2019

A solar car sponsored by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has come second in the Adventure category of the grueling Bridgestone World Solar Challenge held recently in Australia.

Under the direction of Dr. Andrew Spiers, the team from Ardingly College – a school in West Sussex, England – participated in the Solar Challenge from 13th to 20th October in their PA2F-sponsored solar car. It competed in the ‘Adventure’ category, which took them 3,000 kilometres across harsh dessert between Darwin and Adelaide.

In extreme conditions, the Ardingly Solar Car managed to cover 1,300 kilometres with solar energy alone, while the remaining kilometres were completed with electric energy.

Despite sandstorms and temperatures above 42 degrees Celsius, the team finished second place in its category. It was a great victory for the Ardingly College team, who had spent the past four years putting together the ambitious technological project.

The famous Australian race challenges students to develop their skills and encourages the design of innovative products adapted to the market. It also serves as a bridge between their studies and their future careers.

Read more:

A lightyear away from conventional cars

 

Waste Reduction Week in full swing

by: Cassandra Tanti
18/11/2019

The Monaco City Council has organised a host of activities for European Waste Reduction Week, which runs until 24th November.

To open Waste Reduction Week, the council invited Sebastien Uscher to present his documentary ‘The life of my sea’ during a conference at the Louis Notari Library on Friday 15th November. The film traces Uscher’s journey on a stand-up paddle board through the Alpes Maritimes, during which he collected nearly 30,000 pieces of garbage. The project aims to raise alarm bells and hopefully mobilise the local population to change their waste habits.

Meanwhile, an awareness campaign, in collaboration with the Monaco Sustainable Development Association (MC2D), is being organised in the canteen of L’Institution François d’Assise–Nicolas Barré. The humorous campaign encourages the consumption of “ugly” fruits and vegetables with the idea that, while these products may be less beautiful, they can be consumed in thousands of different ways, including in gratins, soups and smoothies, etc.

On Wednesday 20th November, a “zero waste” snack will also be prepared by the head chef of the Municipal Council restaurant, Julien Baldacchino, for members of the Club le Temps de Vivre. On the menu: fruit juices and desserts made from unsold products from the Condamine Market.

At the end of the week, on Friday 22nd November at 6pm, to celebrate the official launch of the Christmas lights at market square in La Condamine, the City Council will highlight three key entities actively involved in recycling and waste reduction: Sébastien Uscher from Run Eco Tri, the ambassadors of the Société Monégasque de Assainissement (SMA, or Monegasque Sanitation Company) – Marijana Pezelj, Myriam Aarras and Isabelle Miguet, and the Eco Angels represented by Didier Rubiolo and Annette Anderson.

Finally, the Department of Seniors and Social Action will start collecting objects from homes for a project entitled ‘The art of waste’. They will be used for creative workshops hosted for seniors, who will create a shark-shaped sculpture attached to a metal base. The work is due to be exhibited in early 2020.

Supporting the Guardian Angels charity gala

by: Alessandra Vicedomini
18/11/2019

Monaco Life Fashion and Lifestyle contributor Alessandra Vicedomini was at the Hôtel de Paris for a gala on Friday in aid of Les Anges Gardiens de Monaco (The Guardian Angels of Monaco), created by the vibrant Bruna Cassio.

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Together with the charity ambassador, dazzling Victoria Silvstedt, I am invited to the presidential table and seated with the founders Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, and Princess Camilla of Bourbon of Two Sicilies, Duchess of Castro, whom I met in my early 20s and always admired for their altruistic attitude and extremely touching humanly manners.

Bruna Cassio

This organisation has been created to help disadvantaged and marginalised people in the streets, to feed the poor, and to march in favour of those in need.

It is not easy seeing someone trying to survive on the streets. I have seen reactions ranging from pity to anger, to choosing not to see the person at all. As hard as it is to witness the suffering of others, Bruna and her team encourage all guests at the gala to exercise empathy – to imagine what it’s like to have no home and no support network, to be cold or hungry or sick, to have hundreds of people walk by you each day and pretend you don’t exist.

The question of how to help a homeless person on the streets is not always an easy one, and Bruna insists that the best place to start is by remembering the humanity of each man or woman you see in a public place and take action in your neighbourhood. To treat each and every person with dignity and remember that small acts of kindness can have tremendously positive repercussions on the lives of others. That is what she does when she goes with her team in the streets of Nice every Monday helping others, providing meals and bedding, and fundraising to support families in any way possible.

Bruna is so goodhearted and motivated by true convictions that her speech creats a delightful atmosphere of empathy and happiness. Then she generously encourages all guests to fully enjoy the party, with young angel dancers and talented singers. Each piece of music, costume and dance was chosen to talk to our souls and all artists perform amazing shows.

Seventeen wonderful lots were offered by generous sponsors for the tombola, animated by Monaco Royal Opera’s sopranos.

I had a wonderful time and was very humbled to learn how committed Bruna is to this project, so much so that I committed to helping her and her team on the streets for the next march.

 

Top photo: Victoria Silvstedt and Alessandra Vicedomini

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