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Day: 7 February 2022

Alessandria hits pre-Olympic objective

by: Luke Entwistle
07/02/2022
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Monaco’s Arnaud Alessandria achieved a 29th place finish in the Men’s Downhill in Beijing on Monday, a realisation of the young skier’s pre-Olympic target, as he revealed to Monaco Life just before he left for China.

In late January, Alessandria told Monaco Life that his target was to improve on his performance in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and reach the top 30. But he was made to wait for the chance to achieve his goal, strong winds on the course delaying the event by a whole day.

Alessandria agreed with the decision to delay, stating that “With gusts up to 60km/h at the summit, the decision was logical.” The postponement did, however, further complicate preparations. “It’s impossible to lose the least amount of energy possible, and be prepared to get in the zone at the time when they make the decision to start,” he said.

Conditions were less tempestuous on Monday, allowing the Men’s Downhill event to go ahead. Alessandria struggled at the top of the run but found his rhythm further down the descent. A strong last intermediate time ultimately secured the 29th place finish ahead of Israeli skier Barnabas Szollos.

As Prince Albert II watched on, the Monegasque achieved a time of 1:46.25, 3.56 seconds off the winning time set by Swiss skier Beat Feuz. He was narrowly trailed by French skier Johan Clarey (+0.10), with Austrian Matthias Mayer completing the podium (+0.16).

Alessandria was elated to have achieved his objective, albeit slightly displeased with his finishing time. “I am quite happy with my run, but in terms of the time, I am a bit disappointed,” he said in a press release by the Monaco Olympic Committee. “I thought I could have been a bit quicker, especially towards the bottom of the course.”

Having achieved his pre-tournament objective, his focus now turns to Tuesday’s Super-G event. “I don’t have any specific objective,” Alessandria said of the event. “We had two days of training before the downhill, which went quickly. I will try to reproduce this performance.”

Alessandria then has a short turn-around time before participating in Thursday’s combined downhill and slalom event, where he will be hoping to build upon his early success.

 

 

Photo source: Monaco Olympic Committee

 

 

 

Riviera airport increases airside security

by: Stephanie Horsman
07/02/2022

Nice Côte d’Azur airport says it has been equipping all its aircraft stands with guidance systems since 1st February to strengthen airside security, make airplane parking more reliable and streamline ground handling operations.

As part of the European Airport-Collaboration Decision Making (A-CDM) project, Nice Côte d’Azur airport continues to make upgrades to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers.

Major improvements have continued to be made, despite the pandemic, including the implementation of Airport-Collaboration Decision Making (A-CDM) and an Airport Operations Centre, both in 2020. This year, it has commissioned new guidance systems on all in-contact aircraft stands in both terminals, funded through financial support from the European Union.

The equipment secures the plane’s parking phase and makes ground handling service more effective. Developed by ADB Safegate, the monitoring system is called SafeControle Apron Management, and it focuses on two main objectives: punctuality and airside safety.

In real terms, this means that before pilots are allowed to enter their parking spot, the system initiates a scan of the whole surface to make certain there are no obstacles and to double check that the plane is in the correct space. Additionally, it indicates where the pilot should stop so that both the plane and the walkway are at the safest positioning. Ground-handling crews are assisted in parking with the use of the system.

Operational performance is also a key aspect of the system, using interconnected information in the airport’s information and guidance systems, SafeControle takes note of the expected flight’s arrival time and ground location 20 minutes before landing time.

Once the aircraft is detected in its stand, the system sends information to the pilots and ground services, allowing them to better stick to turnaround times on the ground, according to the airport’s press release.

“As manager of France’s second-largest airport and only French airport group labelled as ACA 4+ Transition, we have a responsibility to embrace all innovations that improve safety and runway operation performance, all while reducing emissions of grounded aircraft,” says Franck Goldnadel, Chairman of the Board of Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur.

“The guidance systems, which are an invaluable addition to runway security, are fully part of this dynamic, with the dual benefits of streamlining European airspace and preserving our region.”

 

 

Photo by VOO QQQ on Unsplash

 

 

 

Chinese president speaks of Olympic, economic bond with Prince Albert

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/02/2022
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Prince Albert II met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday in Beijing, where the president praised Prince Albert’s Olympic achievements while encouraging more enterprises in Monaco to invest in China.

In a video captured by state media CGTN, Prince Albert II of Monaco is gifted a dough figurine of Bing Dwen Dwen, the Beijing Winter Olympics mascot, at the Great Hall of the People. The head of state then says politely, “Can I ask you a big favour, can I have a second one, because I have twins, so if I only bring back one…”

It is a moment that clearly delighted Chinese President Xi Jinping when the pair met a short time later.

“You chose a pair of lovely Bing Dwen Dwens as souvenirs for your children,” said the president affectionately. “We hope your children will grow up to be as talented and passionate as you about winter sports in the future.”

Prince of Monaco Albert II meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on 6th February 2022. Source: Xinhua

The relationship between the Chinese President and Prince Albert was strengthened during a state visit to the Principality in 2019. On Sunday, the president reportedly pointed out that since that visit, bilateral ties have moved forward with fruitful results including environmental protection, sports, arts and telecommunication, primarily the joint establishment of a 5G telecom network that covers the whole of Monaco, the first of its kind in the world.

The Chinese president also reportedly stressed that the two countries should consolidate the traditional friendship and political trust, strengthen communication and coordination in the United Nations and other multilateral institutions and international affairs, and jointly safeguard multilateralism.

Meanwhile, President Xi Jinping encouraged more enterprises from Monaco to attend the China International Import Expo in November, to increase investment in China, to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, and explore cooperation in third-party markets.

He also welcomed Monaco’s participation in the second phase of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which will take place in Kunming from 25th April to 8th May.

Prince Albert II said that China’s successful Winter Olympics opening ceremony has sent a strong message of peace and solidarity, which is exactly what the world urgently needs.

 

Photo source: Xinhua News Agency

 

 

 

Baccalaureate exams delayed

by: Stephanie Horsman
07/02/2022
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Testing for the general and technical Baccalaureates has been postponed by two months, allowing students time to better prepare after the roller coaster ride of the last two years brought on by the pandemic. 

The impact of the Covid crisis has been felt on every level of society, but perhaps none so pronounced as in the lives of students. Days and weeks missed due to illness, class cancellations and lockdowns have created a chequerboard of learning in all age groups. Those lucky enough to have escaped the virus, by whatever means, have a distinct advantage over those who were out of the classroom and the government is now taking that into account.

Students who were set to take the baccalaureate, or bac, exams, are being given extra time to study to try and even the playing field.

“Given the numerous and successive absences for illness, the students are in very different situations in terms of preparation,” admitted the French Ministry of Education in a press release. “Maintaining the tests unchanged in March would therefore have led to breaches of equality between candidates depending on the territories or personal situations.”

As Monaco’s school system is centred in France, its students are in the same boat.

The Prince’s government has put out a new schedule, showing that written specialisation tests for the general and technical bacs have been deferred until 11th, 12th and 13th May. This means that the original testing dates of 14th, 15th and 16th March no longer apply.

The programme will remain the same as the March dates, meaning candidates will not have any new material to revise, they will just be given these additional weeks to work on the initial programme.

The subjects will be arranged by speciality, so that all high school students have a choice of questions or exercises. The two days prior to the tests will be entirely devoted to revision, relating to what students have been taught.

Rather than marks obtained by candidates in the written specialty tests, the averages achieved by the candidates in these lessons over the three terms of the first class and the first two terms of the final class will be reported in Parcoursup.

Finally, the exams specific to the language level certificate have been exceptionally cancelled this year only for the graduating, or terminale, class.  

Additionally, the advanced French oral exams for the general and technical bac will be reduced to 16 for the general route and nine for the technical route.

As is custom in the Principality, there are no normal classes held during the Historic Grand Prix, which falls this year on 13th May, but baccalaureate students are asked attend in order to complete their exams.

Parents, students and teachers have been asked to contact their school’s administration for more information or for clarifications.

 

 

Match preview: “It’s about finding a balance between the club’s objectives”

by: Luke Entwistle
07/02/2022

Before AS Monaco’s Coupe de France quarter-final clash against Amiens where members will get free access, Philippe Clement spoke to the press on Monday emphasising the importance of balancing squad rotation with victories.

After Saturday’s impressive victory against Lyon on Saturday, the masses will once again descend on the Stade Louis II on Tuesday, where 5,000 will be allowed entry to the stadium. In a gesture of goodwill, the club has offered members of the official supporters’ groups free tickets for the clash.

Sandra Petit, General Secretary of the AS Monaco Supporters Club, told Monaco Life, “It’s a great initiative. The club does a lot for their members. It is clear that our members will make the most of it.”

Facing a Ligue 2 side at such a late stage in the competition and with strong favourites PSG out, Clement is eyeing up his first piece of silverware as Monaco coach. “Winning trophies are always the objective…I am here to win things. It was the same thing in my past jobs. I am ambitious to do the maximum with the players at my disposal.”

However, the manager is aware of the balance that must be struck between winning matches and developing his younger players. “When you don’t play young players, they don’t progress,” the Belgian manager said. “I don’t give chances for the sake of giving chances, they have to prove themselves during training that they’re ready for it. But at the minute, I’m not scared of giving chances and there is no pressure for them, the pressure is on me because I am the one making the decisions.”

He continued, “With the focus on only the results all the time, it is impossible to develop young players and give them a chance. So, I need to always find the balance between the club’s different objectives.”

Clement told Monaco Life that, due to the close run of matches and the need to bed in other players, it was likely that there would be some changes. “It is not only because of the Lyon match that there will be changes. You have to see with the whole group, and see who is ready. That’s why it’s always important to give chances to those who prove themselves in training. Every day, every training is an exam. They prove in the training sessions what they can do during the match. So, there could certainly be some changes.”

The manager also told Monaco Life that he has warned against any complacency. “Now it’s a test for me to see how the players react, after a very positive moment (against Lyon). I told my players that the biggest clubs, the biggest players are consistent in everything that they do. It’s therefore a good test on Tuesday to prove that they are capable of that.”

Guillermo Maripan, who had cramps late-on against Lyon, could be in contention for the match, Clement confirmed. The same can’t be said for Aleksandr Golovin, Myron Boadu and Benoit Badiashile, none of whom are ready to return to the fold.

With another Ligue 1 fixture at the Stade Louis II on Sunday, Clement has plenty of tough decisions to make. Resting players, giving opportunities to others and ensuring progression through to the semi-finals of the Coupe de France is a difficult juggling act, but one that Clement must get right.

 

Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

 

 

 

Monaco Run back in action

by: Stephanie Horsman
07/02/2022
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After the 2021 edition, which saw only select runners allowed to participate due to the health situation, the 2022 Monaco Run is open to all and coming next weekend.

As the world trudges slowly back to reality, the organisers of the Monaco Run are speeding things up, telling people they can run, or walk, toward it this weekend.

On 12th and 13th February, the Monaco Run is returning to the Quai Albert Ier, with the event opening the running expo village, starting on Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Memories of the pandemic haven’t entirely gone away, as visitors must present a valid health pass in order to enter. Additionally, everyone must present a PCR or antigen test taken within the last 24 hours in order to collect their bib, as well as show a valid photo ID, a bib collection card – which will have been sent by email upon registration, and a medical certificate dated less than a year on race day with the words “no contraindication to the practice of running or athletics in competition”. A medical certificate can be replaced by a valid FFA license.

The village is the official meeting place for runners, spectators, and volunteers and will be open on the aforementioned Saturday hours, as well as at 7am on Sunday so that participants can continue to collect bibs and souvenir t-shirts. It is also the start and end points for the races.

The traditional 1,000m race, which is usually held on Saturday afternoon, has been cancelled this year.

On Sunday, there will be three events taking place. Beginning at 8:30am, the 10km City Trail starts off the morning, followed by the 5km Herculis run which departs at 10:30am. Simultaneously, the Pink Ribbon Charity Walk will see walkers passing through the streets of the Principality for a good cause.

The cost to enter the races is €15. Online registration can be made at https://www.monacorun.com/inscriptions/.

SEE ALSO:

Registration now open for Pink Ribbon Monaco Walk

 

Photo source: Monaco Run