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Month: February 2021

IMSEE: a decade of rising temps and extreme weather

by: Stephanie Horsman
16/02/2021

The average temperature over the past decade in Monaco was more than 1°C hotter than the norm. It was also a decade that saw extreme heat waves and months without a single drop of rain.
The latest report by Monaco’s statistics group IMSEE reveals that temperatures in the decade from 2011 to 2020 in the Principality had a marked increase, with three of the four hottest years on record taking place in 2020, 2019, 2018. The average temperature last year was 17.8°C, while the average temperature for the decade was +1.33°C compared to the climactic normal.
Data shows that 2020 was a particularly hot year, with greater than normal temperatures most of the year, except for the months of October and December. The summer was punctuated by episodes of extreme heat, with a record high of 33.3°C recorded on 9th August at the weather station in the Jardin Exotique.
An abundance of sunshine contributed to the mild winters enjoyed in Monaco, with over seven hours of sun on average per day. The number of hours of sunshine was more or less the same in 2020 as it was in 2019, but the monthly distribution was skewed – there were 87 fewer hours of sunshine in March, but there were 52 more hours of sun in April and 37 more in May.
According to IMSEE, since the early 1970’s, every decade has shown an increase in temperatures over the previous one. The decade ending in 2020 is no exception. There was not a single negative temperature recorded in 2019 or 2020, with the low being a relatively balmy 6.6°C.
Rainfall totals show that five years in the decade had abundant rain, including 2014 which was a year of record rainfall. Despite this, the cumulative rain totals for the decade are below normal. Monaco’s norm is 735.4mm of precipitation on 63 days per year. 2020 saw 715mm, so was only slightly below the average. The spring and the month of December were the wettest with higher than usual accumulation. By contrast, February, July and August were almost without rain at all.
The number of major storms also are also notable, with examples such as Storm Alex in October followed by another massive storm in November which caused widespread flooding and fatalities, becoming more common than in the past. Storm Alex produced an incredible 100mm of rain in Monaco, making it one to remember for many.
 
Photo by Monaco Life
 
 

Hermitage Fine Art Auction adapts to Covid

by: Stephanie Horsman
16/02/2021

A Winston Churchill manuscript, family photos of Tsar Alexander II, and a bespoke snow globe by Tiffany are among the lots to be auctioned at the end of February by Hermitage Fine Art, which is this year going largely digital.
For its first auction of 2021, Hermitage Fine Art is offering a range of bidding options in light of the Covid pandemic.

The first day of auction on 25th February will feature Russian art and historical pieces, whilst the 26th is all about fine art, design objects, jewellery and manuscripts.

Bidding can be done from the security of home either by telephone or online through one of six portals being used in partnership with the auction house.

The Russian catalogue being auctioned on 25th February will start with two paintings by impressionist Konstantin Korovin and will be followed by highlights from Russian masters such as Vladimir Orlovsky, Philipp Malyavin and Ilya Mashkov.

In addition, other Russian portrait art pieces will go under the gavel, including a two-metre long painting of the Russian Imperial Navy, as well as portraits of Tsar Alexander I, Prince Grigory Grigoryevich and Empress Maria Feodorovna. Some beautiful furniture and decorative pieces are also being sold and include a magnificent mahogany and bronze table and a collection of silver including a signed piece by Fabergé.

Book collections of classic works on topics as diverse as psychology, medicine, history, arts and sciences will also be available for lovers of all things Russian, as well as photographs from various eras. Bidders can choose between family photos of Tsar Alexander II, avant-garde shots by Rodchenko and Klutsis or postcards from Solomko.

On 26th, there will be fine art collections from the XVII to XX centuries including a large coastal view by Jean-Baptiste Olive entitled View on the Port of Dieppe. For those with more modern tastes, Rene Gruau’s Diorissimo presenting a new perfume by designer Dior is also up for grabs.

European silver collections, vases, lamps, Lalique glass pieces, a signed Cartier clock and a bespoke snow globe by Tiffany are the highlights of the decorative objects section of the auction.

The fine jewellery going under the gavel will make any jewel lover’s mouth water. A pair of diamond and Burmese sapphire earrings, Swiss-certified ruby and diamond rings, Van Cleef and Arpels signed gold earrings, and a diamond and leopard brooch signed by Fred are a few examples of the selection going up for sale. For the gents, cufflinks made of diamond and platinum or gold and lapis lazuli will be auctioned off.

Finally, collectors of manuscripts will be treated to a remarkable choice of lots signed by known political and historical personages, as well as from famous composers, writers and actors. Some of the biggest names include Mohammad Ali, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Winston Churchill, Carl Jung, the Marquis de Sade and Charles Darwin. This section also features a pair of iconic two-dollar bills signed by Andy Warhol. An eclectic mix, to be sure, but something for everyone’s tastes.

 
 

CSM examines alternative Covid test

by: Stephanie Horsman
16/02/2021

The Scientific Centre of Monaco is exploring a new type of Covid screening as an alternative to the widely-used nasal tests, forming part of a larger study of this world-first alternative.

The Scientific Centre of Monaco (CSM) and the Department of Health Action (DASA) are working together on the new Covid cellular test as an alternative to the current PCR test widely in use.

“The tests are being evaluated as samples at the cell level and they must absolutely validate the quality of the samples and not get lost in sensitivity,” explained Professor Patrick Rampal on the government channelMonaco Info. “There is now the possibility of a cellular test using saliva.”

A first-of-its-kind study is being undertaken to try out the new tests that could include swabs from the gums or saliva, using a rather large pool of participants to gauge the promising alternative.

Thomas Althus, an epidemiological doctor at DASA-CSM says, “The name of the study is called Cordage and this allows you to compare different oral techniques and the method of reference. The reference is the nasopharyngeal PCR study which began a few days ago and for the moment we support the participation majority. It is a first of its kind study with 1,500 participants which allows extremely robust conclusions.”

The first results of the study will be published in about two months.

The Principality already offers a range of Covid testing options, the most popular being the PCR blood test, the PCR nasal swab, and the antigen nasal swab.

 
Photo by Stephane Danna / Government Communication Department
 
 

Italy makes last minute u-turn on opening ski resorts

by: Cassandra Tanti
15/02/2021

Ski resorts in Italy will not be able to open as planned this winter season following a last-minute backtrack by Italy’s government on the weekend.
According to a statement by the health ministry, Minister Roberto Speranza has signed a measure prolonging a ban on recreational skiing at resorts until at least 5th March.
It comes as new figures from the ISS, the country’s health agency, indicated that the British variant of the coronavirus now represents around 17.8% of new infections in Italy.
“Concern about the spread of this and other variants of SARS-CoV-2 has led to similar measures being taken in France and Germany,” the ministry said.
Italy’s northern regions were anxiously awaiting the reopening of ski resorts, announced by authorities just last week, including the nearby snow region of Limone Piemonte. The decision to open was based on favourable advice from the expert panel advising the government on the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ski industry slammed the last-minute timing of the decision, saying that they have prepared slopes and lifts, and hired staff, only to have been denied permission to open just ahead of the February holidays.
“The (ski) stations have invested a lot to prepare the slopes, hire personnel, get organized with hoteliers. A lot of money was invested and yet again our world is heavily penalised,” said Flavio Roda, president of the Italian Winter Sports Federation.
According to Italian media reports on Monday, the decision to block the reopening of ski resorts has come from Italy’s new Prime Minister Palazzo Chigi, and more restrictions are expected to be implemented soon.
Under the previous government, restrictions in Italy were loosened over recent weeks with health experts saying the country was “bucking the trend” of Europe.
The new government, however, is under increasing pressure to change Italy’s strategy in dealing with the pandemic and to reinforce similar measures to France and Germany.
Also on Sunday, new restrictions came into force in the regions of Abruzzo, Tuscany, the autonomous province of Trentino, and Monaco’s neighbouring Liguria region, which were all moved up to the medium-risk “orange” category from “yellow.”
 
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Picture of Dolomites, Italy, source: Unsplash
 
 

Roca Team take victory in final seconds

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/02/2021

In a nail-biter of a finish, AS Monaco Basketball pulled off a one-point win against Orleans Lorient Basket on Friday night.

The Roca Team faced off against Orleans at the Palais des Sports on Friday night in a in a Jeep Elite away game that was too-close-for-comfort.

With 22 seconds on the clock, Monaco was trailing by a single point. Abdou Ndoye tried to find a hole on the crowded floor. He squeezed in and took a lay-up that just missed the mark. The rebound would be the decider. If it was Orleans, game over, if it was the Roca Team, there was still hope.

Out of nowhere, JJ O’Brien leapt up and took possession of the ball. The entire game hinged on this final shot. O’Brien released the ball and as it left his hand, it was apparent this one would hit the target.

With two-tenths of a second left on the clock, the Roca Team declared a 85-86 victory, snatching the game from their opponents in what must have been a heart-breaker of a loss for them.

Rob Gray was high-scorer in a high-scoring night, chalking up 22 points. Lessort was just one behind with 21, followed by Captain Dee Bost who walked away with 18 points.

“All the rebounds we took, especially offensive, changed the face of the game,” said Coach Zvez dan Mitrovic. “I congratulate my team, we managed to snatch the victory with seven pro players only on the parquet. It was difficult, but they did it. We showed energy and determination against a good team from Orleans, aggressive and well organised. Our third high-intensity quarter allowed us to get back into the game.”

The Roca Boys’ next game with be on 2nd March at 7pm when they square off against Nanterre for a Euro Cup 7 game at home at Gaston Medecin.

 
(Monaco Life with AS Monaco Basketball press release, photo by AS Monaco Basketball)
 
 

Monte-Carlo Masters to go ahead behind closed doors

by: Cassandra Tanti
15/02/2021

Rafael Nadal will be chasing his 12th Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters title this April but, for the first time, he will be doing so without a crowd of fans cheering him on.
After cancelling the 2020 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters due to the Covid-19 pandemic, organisers have confirmed that this year’s tournament will go ahead from 10th to 18th April, however it will be behind closed doors.
In a statement released on Friday, they said that the decision was made in accordance with the latest government measures which extend the state of health emergency until 3rd May 2021.
“Our teams remain fully mobilised and motivated to welcome the best players in the world who, despite this particularly difficult period, will be here to provide a spectacular event,” reads the statement.
The move is not completely unexpected. Monaco Life reported in mid-January that ticket sales for the 114th Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters had been postponed, and that the Monte-Carlo Country Club was “hopeful” the tournament will go ahead with “undoubtedly limited public access” this year.
The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters is hosted at the Monte-Carlo Country Club, which actually sits in the French commune of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and is subject to French health restrictions.
The French Senate had initially approved an extension of the state of emergency until 3rd May, but this was later pushed to 1st June.
State of emergency gives the government the ability to, among other things, order the closure of establishments that are open to the public.
Since the inception of the series in 1990, only six men have won 11 or more ATP Masters 1000 titles. One of those men, Rafael Nadal, has remarkably achieved that feat at a single event.
Fans can watch the 2021 tournament on television from 11th to 18th April on Eurosport, on 17th and 18th also on C8, as well as on the official website and social networks.
 
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