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Day: 15 September 2021

Prince makes history in electric plane

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/09/2021

Prince Albert II has notably become the first head of state to fly in an airplane run entirely on electricity generated by solar power.

Prince Albert took to the skies on Tuesday in a 100% electric plane piloted by Solar Stratus project founder Raphaël Domjan and developed by Slovenian manufacturer Pipstrel.

The Velis Electro aircraft took the Prince on a half hour flight from Nice Côte d’Azur airport to Monaco and back, which he clearly enjoyed as he stated upon landing: “It was a very nice flight, a little too short… It was fantastic to be able to fly without emitting CO2. The development of electric aviation must continue so that tomorrow’s flights can incorporate the use of electric motors, whether powered by batteries or fuel cells.”

The plane is the only fully electric model to be certified by the European Aviation Security Agency (EASA) and received its certification in June 2020.

Photo source: PlanetSolar Foundation

“In July 1910, Ferdinand I of Bulgaria was the first head of state to fly by plane. In 2021, Prince Albert of Monaco is, to our knowledge, the first head of state to fly on an electric plane,” said Domjan after the flight.

Prince Albert and Swiss national Domjan have crossed paths before. The Monegasque Sovereign sponsored him on a previous trip around the world in a solar powered sailboat.

“We must also work on clean fuels, but I think there is a place for electric aviation that must be developed,” said the Prince. “It may not be tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, but I think that in the long term, electric aviation will have its place.”

The Pipistrel, which has a range of one hour, flew silently at an altitude of 1,000 feet (300 metres) at a cruising speed of 140 km/h.

The device consumed half of its battery in 30 minutes, “or the equivalent of a litre of gasoline, against 20 litres per hour on a thermal airplane of this size,” remarked Domjan.

The Solar Stratos project saw a two-seater solar aircraft reach an altitude of 12,000 feet (3,758 metres) and aims to reach the stratosphere in 2023.

Prior to that, he would like to hit a benchmark of 11,000 metres, beating the record of competitor Solar Impulse, developed by fellow Swiss Bertrand Piccard.

 
 
Photo source: PlanetSolar Foundation
 
 

Mandatory vaccination for who from 30th October?

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/09/2021

The National Council has passed a divisive law which requires certain categories of workers, from health care staff to speech therapists, to be fully vaccinated in order to continue working in their field.

At an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday night, the National Council agreed with the government of Monaco and approved by a comfortable margin the polemic bill number 1043, with 15 councillors on the “yea” side, four on the “nay”, and two abstentions.

The bill states that people who work in healthcare or who are regularly closely mixing with the public, including those working in care homes for the elderly, home care workers for those aged over 60, the handicapped or dependent, as well as firefighters, pharmacists, dentists, doctors, nurses, and administrative and technical support staff, will by mandate be obliged to be fully vaccinated in order to carry out their jobs as of 30th October or face suspension and termination.

The extensive list also covers more unlikely occupations such as speech therapists, secretaries, osteopaths, people who provide medical transport, maintenance workers and “medical auxiliaries”.

The law goes into effect on 30th October and requires that the worker is fully inoculated no later than 7th December 2021.  

“We were guided by human, social and pragmatic considerations,” explained National Council President Stéphane Valeri in his address to the Council, adding that it was necessary for “the preservation of national cohesion and the unity of our community”.

There will be exceptions to the rule. Those who can prove they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons will not be forced out of their jobs. This is a shift from the original proposal made by the government, but the elected body deemed it “unfair and disproportionate”.

Councillor Jean-Louis Grinda was among the bill’s supporters, saying “I will vote in favour of this bill because it corresponds to an objective of protecting the most vulnerable among us.” He added: “I would like to ask the Government to take responsibility for its political choices by extending the health pass in the Principality. I say ‘health pass’ and not ‘vaccine obligation’.

“Today, this applies simply to restaurants. It is insufficient and dangerous for our economy. Let me explain: our country has rightly capitalised on the ‘Monaco Safe’ label, a guarantee of safety for our visitors. Today, the lack of a health pass for staff working in establishments open to the public, commonly known as ERP, is a damaging lack which undoubtedly satisfies a minority, but risks making us ultimately lose our customers and visitors, more inclined, for example, to organise their conferences in a different environment.”

On the other side was an abstention from Karen Aliprendi, who said, “I could understand that nursing staff is subject to an obligation of vaccination for reasons of health and protection of the population. On the other hand, I do not understand why people who are not in direct contact with patients or the most vulnerable people are also subject to it.

“I am thinking of accountants, secretaries, electricians, maintenance workers, etc., who will also be subject to this obligation, without however being in direct contact with patients or vulnerable people constantly, as are caregivers.”

People who are medically able to be vaccinated but still choose not to will be afforded a 12-week grace period after suspension of work to get the inoculation. The Council voted that during this period, the worker would still be entitled to health insurance, family benefits, social benefits, allowances and pensions.

For employers, the situation was clarified – the suspended person could be terminated, transferred, or asked to retire at any time between four to 12 weeks after the initial suspension date, unless the worker opposes this. After this period, it is still possible to terminate the employment relationship, according to the provisions of law, without the State paying the termination indemnity.

The government, not employers, will pay half of the suspended person’s salary for the first four weeks.

 
 
Photo source: National Council of Monaco
 
 

Wine tasting app makes headway in industry

by: Cassandra Tanti
15/09/2021

A new app called Yes We Wine, supported by Monaco Foundry, is planning to revolutionise the wine industry by providing real time feedback on wines and vintages for the benefit of producers and connoisseurs.  
With worldwide consumption of wine increasing, and current trends estimating 32 billion bottles of wine are consumed yearly, there is a market of nearly 10 million professionals who are facing an increasingly demanding complex customer base.
‘Yes We Wine’ is a collaborative platform aimed at both amateurs and professionals alike. Tasters can rate wines and share, compare and discuss their comments with others, while professionals have access to tasting animation, training support, tastings and wine analysis and consumer trends.
The app allows producers and wine professionals to view which markets taste their wines the most, including a breakdown on the type of clients and an analysis of the notes they give for a wine or vintage.
Launched at the start of 2021, the app has already accumulated more than 3,500 professional users across 70 countries. It’s also been incubated in Bordeaux Technowest and Le Village by CA, and is part of the Microsoft for Start-ups programme and Monaco Foundry, a global venture accelerator that invests in early to mid-stage companies and their growth.
 
 
 
 
 

The Riviera Electric Challenge is underway

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/09/2021

The seventh edition of the Riviera Electric Challenge left Cagnes-sur-Mer Wednesday morning for two days of racing in Italy and France before crossing the finish line in the Principality. 

Monaco has a big presence in this year’s Riviera Electric Challenge, the annual electric car road rally which covers 208.5 kilometres from France to Italy and finally, the Principality, with seven teams in the line-up.

The event is organised by MC2D – who also put on the Ever Monaco show, together with Monaco City Hall, the Automobile Club of Nice and the Automobile Club of Ponente Ligure. It takes place on 15th and 16th September and this year features two teams from the Mairie de Monaco, who are racing to show their commitment to using renewable energy sources and pollution-busting transport.

The first team features Karyn Ardisson Salopek and Mélanie Flachaire,  who are driving a Renault Zoé. The second team is made up of Jacques Pastor and Mayor of Dolceacqua Fulvio Gazzola in a Kia Niro.

Other Monaco-based teams include one from La Poste, the Automobile Club of Monaco, the Mission for the Energy Transition, and two teams from the Department of Tourism and Conventions.

Photo source: Mairie de Monaco

The first day of the rally takes drivers through several French villages and towns including Cagnes-sur-Mer, Antibes, Mougins, Nice, Col d’Eze, Peille and Sainte-Agnès before crossing the border into Italy and winding up the day in Monaco’s recently twinned city of Dolceacqua, where they will pass the night.

On Thursday morning, they continue their Italian adventure passing through Dolceacqua, Isolabona, Apricale, Baiardo, San Romolo, Perinaldo, Soldano, San Biagio, Vallecrosia and finally Ventimiglia with a drive-by through the new port of Cala del Forte. From there, the teams make their way back to Monaco, meeting on the forecourt of the Oceanographic Museum, where they are expected by mid-afternoon. Once the racers are all in situ, there will be an award ceremony.

 
 
Top photo source: Riviera Electric Challenge
 
 

Annual hike to Mont Gros

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/09/2021

Pull on those hiking boots and hit the trail this weekend for a fun hike from Roquebrune-Cap-Martin to the top of Mont Gros where participants not only get fit but spend time soaking up the peacefulness of the forest. 

The government of Monaco and the National Forestry Office (ONF) are organising their annual hike from Roquebrune-Cap-Martin to Mont Gros this Saturday, 18th September.

Benefitting from the best of all worlds, the hike begins at the coastal village and ascends 225-metres through the forest, giving views of both mountains and seascapes in a loop which takes roughly an hour and a half to complete.

The organisers describe the scene as a “Rounded summit surrounded by sheer limestone bars, Mont-Gros dominates the bay of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. The panorama offers the contemplation of the incessant ballet of multi-coloured paragliders and hang-gliders, floating in the wind. In the background: an azure sky and the Southern Alps flowing into the Mediterranean. Close your eyes and imagine yourself as these liberators! For 1h30, set off towards the ascent of Mont-Gros, with the foresters of the National Forestry Office, to discover trails where man works for the protection of nature.”

The fun begins at 9:30am with the first hike of the day for early birds, with another at 1:30pm for those who like their exercise a bit later in the day.

Whilst on the trail, walkers can take the opportunity to admire the work of the Forestry Service, who ensure the sustainability and health of the nearly 11 million hectares of public forests they manage. Their work has three main objectives: to produce wood, preserve the environment and welcome the public. Additionally, the ONF carries out public service missions in the field of natural risk management, and offers services to communities and businesses.

The walk is free by reservation only and subject to current health protocols. To register for the hike, click here.