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Day: 9 March 2021

Princely family turns out for shuttle inauguration

by: Stephanie Horsman
09/03/2021

Camille Gottlieb has baptised the new Monaco One shuttle in the presence of her mother Princess Stephanie and other members of the Princely family. The super-fast shuttle will carry passengers from Monaco to the new Calla del Forte port in Ventimiglia.

After sneak peaks and sea trials, the Monaco One was officially inaugurated on Monday 8th March at the Yacht Club of Monaco.

The vessel’s “godmother”, Camille Gottlieb, was accompanied arm in arm by her uncle Prince Albert for the ceremony, which was also attended by Caroline, Princess of Hanover, Princess Stéphanie, Louis Ducruet, Pauline Ducruet, as well as several Monegasque and Italian authorities.

After breaking the traditional champagne bottle on the hull to formally baptise the vessel, Archbishop of Monaco Monsignor David then blessed the boat, giving a speech addressing all sailors.

Photos by Eric Mathon / Prince’s Palace and Michael Alesi / Government Communication Department

Monaco One is the navette that will connect yacht owners moored in the new extension port of Cala del Forte in Ventimiglia to the Principality.

“More than a means of transport, this shuttle constitutes a link capable of joining the ports of Monaco to that of Cala del Forte in just over 10 minutes,” said Aleco Keusseoglou, President of the Société d’Exploitation des Ports de Monaco (SEPM), adding that Monaco One is a “vessel of the future straight out of a science fiction film.”

Thanks to its innovative aeronautical design, the 12-seater catamaran can sail at more than 40 knots and its energy consumption is 50% lower than a conventional boat.

The shuttle will also be equipped with an innovative tracking device to detect the presence of marine mammals in real time.

Photos by Eric Mathon / Prince’s Palace and Michael Alesi / Government Communication Department

Created by A2V (Advanced Aerodynamic Vessels) out of La Rochelle, it is one of two operational shuttles out there. Like it’s sister Evian One, which is currently being run on Lake Geneva, the boat uses a design inspired by an airplane wing using aerodynamic lift.

Once reaching a certain speed, the shuttle is “lightened” by half its mass and is usable in even the foulest weather conditions.

“Since this boat should be able to be used in the widest possible conditions, we have designed a machine that is welcoming, but also robust, and easy to use,” said Matthieu Kerhuel, President of A2V.

Photos by Eric Mathon / Prince’s Palace and Michael Alesi / Government Communication Department

Bollywood-themed Rose Ball postponed, again

by: Cassandra Tanti
09/03/2021

The first major event on Monaco’s high society social calendar, the Rose Ball, is being shelved for the second consecutive year due to Covid. 
Fans of the annual gala, which normally takes place in March, will be disappointed to hear that they will have to keep their gowns and tuxedos under wraps for another 12 months.
After initially being postponed in 2020, the 66th Bal de la Rose was due to take place this month at the Salle des Etoiles in the Sporting Monte-Carlo.
But with heavy restrictions still in place and an active circulation of the Covid-19 virus, organisers Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) have been forced to put one of the Principality’s most treasured celebrations on hold, again.
President of the Princess Grace Foundation Caroline, Princess of Hanover, chose Bollywood for the gala’s theme and had given her friend Christian Louboutin carte blanche to make it a reality.
The legendary fashion designer channelled his fascination for India to conceptualise a grandiose and poetic décor for the Rose Ball, which has always served as a symbol of glamour and fuelled the fascinating legend of Monte-Carlo, which it helped to create.
But the ball, created by Princess Grace in 1954, is not just a high society event. Since 1964, it has also raised important funds for her Foundation, which supports people in difficulty and disadvantaged children.
The last Rose Ball took place in 2019 on the theme of the ‘Riviera’. Hosts Prince Albert and Caroline, Princess of Hanover, paid a special tribute to the late Karl Lagerfeld, who for several years had worked with the princess to design the ball. The ‘Riviera’ theme was the last Lagerfeld had designed before his death in February that year.
Famous French-Egyptian fashion designer Christian Louboutin was appointed his successor, continuing a long-held tradition of great names taking charge of the artistic organisation of an evening that marks the first important social event of the year.
The 66th Rose Ball is now due to take place on 19th March 2022.
 
Photo: Caroline, Princess of Hanover and Prince Albert of Monaco Preside over the 2019 Rose Ball. Source: the Prince’s Palace
 
 

Can Monaco maintain the course?

by: Cassandra Tanti
09/03/2021

The circulation of Covid-19 in the Principality continues its downward trend, with the latest figures revealing that the incidence rate has almost halved in a week. But authorities are not letting their guard down.
Weekly data from the government shows that, as of Sunday 7th March, the number of tests carried out on residents and non-residents in Monaco for the preceding week included 5,045 PCR and antigen tests.
The positivity rate among these tests was 4.48%, a drop compared to the previous seven days, which saw a positivity rate of 5.19%.
The current incidence rate in the Principality, based on the number of positive patients in a population of 100,000, is therefore 176. Just seven days earlier, the incidence rate was 226.
But that could all change given that potential Covid carriers have returned from travelling abroad during the school holidays.
The government is reminding the population that everyone who has journeyed outside the Principality in this period must be tested for the virus upon their return.
“This screening will reassure the people who will benefit from it. More generally, it will allow the health authorities to check the virological state of the population and to stem as much as possible the circulation of the virus in the Principality,” said the government in a statement on Sunday evening.
 
 
Photo: Michael Alesi, Government Communication Department
 

Monaco Telecom signs tower purchase deal

by: Cassandra Tanti
09/03/2021

Monaco Telecom and Phoenix Tower International have signed an agreement for the purchase of over 800 wireless towers across Malta and Cyprus, boosting the company’s 5G and fibre capabilities in the two countries.
According to a statement released by Phoenix Tower International (Phoenix) this week, a long-term partnership has been established that will see Monaco Telecom occupy the sites for at least 20 years. The deal involves 815 existing and newly constructed wireless towers that will be purchased over six years.
“This transaction allows us to create a strategic partnership in Cyprus and Malta with a leading international firm, which allows us to accelerate our investment plans on 5G and fibre where we are present,” said Martin Péronnet, CEO of Monaco Telecom.
In March 2020, Monaco Telecom officially became the sole shareholder of Vodaphone Malta, which was rebranded as Epic in January and also serves as an alternative operator in Cyprus.
Phoenix is a United States telecommunications company that owns and operates over 10,000 wireless infrastructure sites throughout Europe, the US, Latin America and the Caribbean.
“With this latest transaction, Phoenix continues to expand its Monaco Telecom signs tower purchase deal presence across Europe and will demonstrate the neutral host independent tower model in two new markets to facilitate increased coverage expansion for all of the wireless operators and ultimately increased connectivity for the population of Malta and Cyprus,” added Dagan Kasavana, Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix Tower International.
The closing is subject to customary condition precedents for this type of transaction.
 
Related stories:
Monaco Telecom acquisition complete
 
Photo of Malta by Karl Muscat on Unsplash
 
 

AS Monaco make 3 for 3 in derby

by: Stephanie Horsman
09/03/2021

“A great reaction from the team!” exclaimed Coach Niko Kovac after his Red and Whites beat OGC Nice on their opponent’s home turf in the third Côte d’Azur derby this season.
AS Monaco is back on track, beating OGC Nice 2-0 in round 32 of the Coupe de France. It is the first time they have won against their crosstown rivals three times in a row in a single season since 2013-14.
After their recent disappointment against Strasbourg, Coach Kovac made a few changes to the starting lineup. Cesc Fabregas, Stevan Jovetić and Krépin Diatta made the cut and took to the field against Adrian Ursea’s Niçois team.
The two teams tiptoed around each other the first few minutes of the match, with the first attempt on goal not coming until 11 minutes in when Walter Benitez blocked an incoming shot from Jovetić.
The idea to start Fàbregas was genius, as he had a stellar first half. Always a team player, he showed what a pro he was through solid passing and technical beauty. At the half hour mark, the Spaniard found Kevin Volland who had a clear shot on goal. He knocked one between the posts, opening the scoring at one-nil.
By halftime, there was no change in score. After the break, both teams seemed energised. At 55 minutes in, Nice’s Alexis Claude-Maurice made a bold shot that grazed the posts but turned out to be a “close but no cigar” moment. Just minutes later, Kasper Dolberg launched a similar shot a Monaco’s Radoslaw Majecki, but again, the ball just nicked the post.
Jovetić made a free kick that missed the mark in the 76th and made another attempt at the 87th that just missed.
Not despairing, Ruben Aguilar picked up the ball and seconds later knocked one between the poles from 25 metres, securing the Red and White’s lead to 2-0. The whistle went off three minutes later sounding the end of the match and handing another victory to Monaco.
“We played 90 quality minutes, we were disciplined and organised. In the end, we deserved this victory,” said Coach Kovac. “This is the shortest way to a title. There are still eight Ligue 1 teams in the competition. We will see what can be done. There are four games left to reach the final, so we shall see.”
AS Monaco will return this Sunday to Ligue 1 action against Lille at Stade Louis II at 5pm.
 
 
Monaco Life with AS Monaco press release, photo by AS Monaco