In a rare show that drinking and driving can indeed go together, Venturi Racing, the Monaco-based Formula E motor racing team, has joined forces with Stoli Group’s elit Vodka.
Stoli elit Vodka is a winner. First hitting the market in 2003 using a new “freeze filtration” system, it quickly took off, becoming one of the world’s most popular spirits.
Winners attract other winners, and given that line of reasoning, a partnership with ROKit Venturi Racing then, seems like a natural fit. The Monegasque racing team founded by Gildo Pastor and now run by Scott Swid, Susie Wolff, Jérôme d’Ambrosio and José Aznar Botella, announced a major partnership deal with Stoli elit recently at the Mexico City E-Prix.
“With sustainability at the heart of our DNA, we have a plan to deliver one vision and one mission: establishing the most powerful and sustainable ultra-luxury spirits and wines portfolio by 2025,” said Damian McKinney, Global CEO of Stoli Group. “To that end, we have been in search of partners that boldly match our sustainability vision in innovative ways, and on multiple fronts. We are thrilled to announce we have found that in the ROKiT Venturi team as the leader in electric motorsport, driven forward by a female CEO and in full support of LGBTQ rights.”
As principal sponsor, elit will take a central role in the team’s visual branding and identity, appearing on the front wing, nose cone and bargeboards of the team’s livery. Drivers Edoardo Mortara and Lucas Di Grassi will be sporting newly branded kit and the garage will also receive the new look.
Photo source: Venturi Racing
“We are delighted to welcome the Stoli Group and elit Vodka to our partnership family,” said CEO of ROKiT Venturi Racing Susie Wolff. “We both share bold aspirations for the future and together, we will continue to champion sustainability, diversity and inclusion over the coming seasons.”
The partnership signals a start of high-profile collaborations between the E-Racing world and the corporate one. The latest generation of E-Prix cars has nearly double the energy storage capacity of the previous one, with pilots racing at higher speeds for longer periods. This added “oomph” is a boon for E-Prix, making it an appealing choice for car enthusiasts the world over, not just those who have a social conscience.
“While a successful sustainable journey can’t be achieved alone, together we can make a lasting difference,” concluded McKinney. “ROKiT Venturi Racing, the Stoli Group and elit Vodka are united in the pursuit of excellence and not only want to be the best but strive to break the mould, achieving the unachievable.”
ROKiT Venturi Racing has been part of the FIA Formula E World Championships since the series’ start in December 2013. Last season saw ROKiT have their most successful year yet, winning five podium finishes, scoring two victories and boasting the series’ first vice-World Drivers’ Championship title.
Top photo: Lucas di Grassi, Driver, Jérôme D’Ambrosio, Team Principal, Damian McKinney, Global CEO of Stoli Group and Edoardo Mortara, Driver. Source: Venturi Racing
Monacollecte, the first major waste collection campaign in Monaco, is being held later this month, providing an easy disposal solution for things like unused household items.
Everyone has at one time or another looked around at the clutter in their home and wondered, “What am I going to do with this?”
The people of Monaco now have a chance to find out with the first edition of Monacollecte. The “solidarity event” is sponsored by actor Samuel le Bihan and organised by the government, the Société Monégasque d’Assainissement (ASM), the Mairie and MC2D.
Residents are invited to drop off all unwanted items that are sitting around their homes and taking up space, as well as things that they don’t know what to do with and that cannot be disposed of in the usual bins, such as half empty tins of paint.
A number of charities, such as the Monaco Red Cross, Mission Enfance, Semeur d’Espoir, Interactions & Solidarity, Friends of Lebanon, the Nice Foundation and the Society for the Protection of Animlas, will be on hand to collect what can be used again. Items like clothing, books, small household appliances, toys, video games and computer equipment are welcome.
The remainder will be turned over to SMA’s treatment or recycling channels. The things they will dispose of properly include paint, gas cylinders, solvents, glass windows and doors, electronics and electrical waste.
As part of the event, free exhibitions and information stands will also be set up, explaining how certain things should be disposed of in a safe way.
Among the exhibitors is the Earthwake association, created by Samuel Le Bihan and former Director General of Action Against Hunger François Danel, who aim to find concrete solutions to stop millions of tonnes of plastic waste from flowing into the oceans each year, affecting health, climate and marine biodiversity.
The programme has some really interesting elements, including awareness-raising entertainment featuring virtual reality headsets teaching people the principles of sorting, a demonstration of aerial terminal collections for glass and recyclable household packaging recovery by SMA, electric tipper tower demos and drawings made by CE2 students which will be voted on by the public.
Additionally, all exhibitors will have stands for questions and information, and guests will be able to register to visit the SMA waste-to-energy plant or the PAPREC household packaging and paper sorting centre at the Prevention and Recycling Offices.
Monacollecte will be held on 25th and 26th February on the Port Hercule Esplanade or the Quai Albert Ier from 10am to 8pm. Entry is free.
Rudy Rinaldi and Boris Vain wrapped up Monaco’s overwhelmingly successful Winter Olympics with a sixth place finish in the two-man bobsleigh event following four incredible runs in Beijing, scoring Monaco’s highest Olympic finish in the process.
Lightning-quick, precise and consistent. Rinaldi and Vain and Anthony Rinaldi signed off in style on Tuesday, finishing just 0.51 seconds off an unlikely podium place. The team were consistent throughout, setting up an opportunity for an Olympic medal through some hard graft during Monday’s heats, leaving them right in contention.
An incredible 3rd run earlier on Tuesday left the Principality dreaming of bringing home an Olympic medal, with just 21 hundredths of a second between them and the bottom step of the podium.
On the day, Monaco were outdone by a trio of German teams, who secured a clean-sweep of the podium, Francesco Friedrich taking the gold.
Although it wasn’t to be for the Monégasque bobsleigh team, as they slipped back to sixth position in Tuesday afternoon’s final heat, the result is nonetheless the best of any Monégasque winter Olympian, whilst it is also a huge improvement on their 19th place finish in the 2018 Winter Olympics.
This latter achievement meant a lot to Rinaldi in particular. “We struggled a lot these past four years. I think we knew one day that we could fight for this. So of course, we’re happy,” he said post-race. The Monegasque bobsledder also expressed his happiness for his representative country, saying, “We’re happy for Monaco.”
Considered in its entirety, this has been an exceptional Winter Olympics for Monaco. Earlier, flag-bearer Arnaud Alessandria secured the highest finish of any Monégasque skier with his 13th place in the Men’s combined race. Rinaldi and Vain’s heroics on Tuesday ensured that these Olympics will live-long in the memory of Monégasque sporting fans.
The Covid-19 pandemic presented the world with unprecedented challenges to nearly every aspect of life. Throughout the past two years, we’ve witnessed the dynamics of society halt, twist, and transform; economies plummet, rise and equalize; and the personal lives of billions metamorphosize beyond our wildest imaginations. Within the context of the luxury brokerage and travel market, Covid-19 continues to represent unconventional hurdles, yet also unique opportunities – particularly for luxury yacht sales and charters.
As the virus continued to show no signs of submission or weakness in 2019, governments globally took their own unique approach to maintain life as they knew it while adapting to the uncertainties of a novel virus. Consequently, international travel restrictions increased and domestic requirements and health guidelines saw a shift in fluidity and intensity. As a result, work, education, retail and even healthcare began to shift into the digital realm, bringing forth feelings of constriction, claustrophobia, anxiety and discomfort across the globe.
Hence, the real estate market experienced a boom. People’s residential consumerism began to shift and change. Some ultra-high net worth individuals sought shelter away from being cooped up in the cities. In essence, people were looking for ways to help manage the new aspects of life presented by the impending impact of the virus.
Given that need, yacht brokerages around the globe mobilized and began implementing ways in which people could adhere to the law at hand while setting sights on new terrains, or waterways, without sacrificing their health. Luckily, luxury yachts present the perfect alternative to being confined at home. They offer an escape. Whether you’re looking to purchase a superyacht for a multitude of adventures, or take a yacht charter to an unfamiliar place, luxury yachts are appealing across the board during a time when the “near future” seems as unpredictable as the past two years were.
With that being said, 2021 was truly a remarkable year, and an impressively successful year specifically in the luxury yacht brokerage sector for purchase, sale, charter and virtually every aspect of the business.
The genesis
When the pandemic hit in 2019, the yachting sector was at the beginning of its shift. For the entire marine industry, business slowed in March – selling 25 yachts despite impending market turbulence. However, as the year continued, yacht sales began to increase throughout the year – rising to 64 closings in May and 59 in December. This matched the overarching trend of society at the time, having initially experienced discomfort and turbulence at the virus’s start yet demonstrating adaptation and resilience about the physical restrictions at hand.
Northrop & Johnson’s Blue Moon
The Fall
Despite this success, the year 2020 brought forth entirely new challenges. The conclusion and recovery of Covid-19 seemed more distant than ever, and the wellbeing of citizens was seemingly insecure.
During this time, yacht brokerages far and wide worked hard to support their employees and maintain their services wherever possible. However, despite the determination, the economic decline was breaching all aspects of the business. Industry-wide, the average for yachts sold in 2020 was 35.42 closings per month, the most significant success occurring in December with 59 yachts sold.
The yacht brokerage industry is adaptable. It was inclined to bounce back, getting clients on the water aboard the luxury yachts perfectly fitted for them.
Shifting gears
In December, brokerage firms recognised the shift in momentum, pushing their sights to the promises of a new year and hitting the ground running – a trial that certainly paid off. On average, yacht brokerage listed 48.25 yachts per broker across the top 12 firms and maintained an average inventory value of €381,189,160 across the top 20 firms.
“Northrop & Johnson enjoyed a banner year in 2021,” says Northrop & Johnson’s European Director Patrick Coote. “We sold 141 yachts in total in 2021, with 66 of those yachts larger than 24 meters. Furthermore, we managed to sell the most CA listings of any yacht brokerage in 2021, 41 in total. And this was 41% more CA listings than any other brokerage in the world.” Coote continues. “Furthermore, Northrop & Johnson was able to sell these yachts faster than ever before, ensuring some of the shortest times on the market we’ve seen in recent history.”
The average number of luxury yachts listed per brokerage firm in 2021 was 59, with a maximum of 75 yachts for a total value of $792,485,094 and a minimum of 16 yachts for a total value of $49,885,560.
“Northrop & Johnson had 73 yachts larger than 24 metres listed for sale in 2021 for a total value of €638,797,299, one of the top two highest values of any sales fleet,” explains Coote. “Our clients entrusted us with their prized possessions and we do not take that responsibility lightly. When selling a yacht, our focus is solely on the client. Ensuring a timely sale at the best price is the number one priority.”
When breaking down these impressive statistics, it’s important to note what was hot in the 2021 yacht market. This year’s sales included yachts from 34 different builders, with total sales of 47 Sanlorenzo yachts being sold. The year’s top three builders listed were Sanlorenzo with an impressive 47 yachts, Sunseeker with 39 yachts, and Benetti with 37 yachts. These yachts are known for branding the market with the modern ‘sleek and sexy’ look considered highly desirable for today’s owners and charterers.
It’s also interesting to note length variance regarding the types of yachts sold in 2021. For yachts 29.9 meters and under, 271 yachts were sold, 39.9 metres and under, 246 yachts were sold, 49.9 metres and under, 126 yachts were sold, 64.9 metres and under, 50 yachts were sold, and for yachts 65 meters and over, 25 yachts were sold.
This data suggests that yacht appeal across the ranges has increased overall. However, the appeal of smaller, more personal yachts has taken a firm hold. This makes sense given the fluidity of Covid-19 restrictions, for both activities and personal interaction. With limited party numbers, minimal spaces allowed for the congregation, and consequently less public activity available, smaller sailing, motor and sportfishing yachts are becoming popularised to ensure on-water activities with adherence to local law. Albeit yachts larger than 100’ remain highly desirable.
Northrop & Johnson’s Solo 1
Major success
Despite economic and market barriers, the yachting industry flourished in 2021, paralleled only by a few years prior. When compared to the past five years specifically, the 2021 luxury yacht brokerage industry skyrocketed and transcended sales from previous successes: having sold 61 yachts in March, 56 yachts in April, 81 yachts in May, 90 yachts in June, 47 yachts in September, 49 yachts in October, 59 yachts in November and 82 yachts in December. In total, 718 yachts were sold across the top 12 firms, with an average of 59.83 yachts sold per month. This number is striking, given that the previous averages were 35 yachts sold per month in 2020 and 41 yachts sold per month in 2019.
“One of our proudest achievements at Northrop & Johnson in 2021 was the growth and successes in our European offices,” says Coote. “I am thrilled to say we are the fastest-growing brokerage in Europe and our extraordinary teams in our Monaco, Antibes, Palma and Barcelona offices rose to the challenges they faced.”
After the low of 425 yachts sold in 2020 with the economic decline and the previously highest number of 583 yachts sold in 2017, 2021’s industry success of 718 yachts is even more relevant. In parallel, Bloomberg analysis reported that asubtle correlation of two shifts within the U.S. economy and the luxury yacht market supports the notion that as the economy improves, so does the luxury yacht brokerage market, despite Covid-19 limitations. As such, it can be concluded that luxury yachts pose an appealing alternative to residency, vacation, and wellness during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Looking ahead, there is more success on the horizon in 2022,” predicts Coote. “The trajectory is decidedly up and there seems to be no evidence of the market slowing in the sales and charter sectors. We are already reporting 50% of the 2021 charter booked for summer 2022. As people become more comfortable navigating our collective ‘new normal’ they are making plans and taking the trips they had long put off. As such, the charter market is likely to see high demand this summer, so the advice is to book early. In a similar vein on the sales side of the business, now is the time for sellers to put their yachts on the market and for buyers, if you see something you like, make that offer as its likely to move fast.”
The latest report by IMSEE, the official statisticians of Monaco, shows that 2021 continued the trend of warmer, drier conditions with rainfall levels down and temperatures up.
Not a single day in 2021 saw the mercury go below freezing. Last year, the lowest temperature clocked was +4.1ºC.
On the other end of the spectrum, last year was a notably hot year, especially in the summer period when temperatures were above normal for most of the season. There were a series of heat waves that punctuated the summer as well, making an already hot summer even hotter. The warmest day recorded was on 13thAugust when the mercury hit 34.2ºC.
Autumn didn’t bring its usual relief from the heat, though spring was a bit on the cool side compared to normal.
The yearly average for 2021 was 17.09ºC, a slight decrease on the year before and a bit below the warmest year, 2019, which hit averages of 17.9ºC.
The number of hours of sunshine was slightly down in 2021 than the year before, with last year seeing 2,543 compared to 2,590 in 2020, equalling 47 less hours of sunshine. However, the sunny days were varied according to the time period. March, for example, saw 73 more hours of sun than normal, whilst April had 61 fewer hours. November and February each had 35 fewer hours of sun as well.
Rainfall totals were also down in 2021. There were 496mm of rain over the course of the year, an amount well below normal. There were also five fewer rainy days than the average over the past several decades, with 58 days compared to the usual 63 days. A lack of intense meteorological episodes over the whole year explains this deficit, says IMSEE.
Oddly, January, February, April and May averaged more rain than the norm, while March June and October were on the low side. March was particularly dry, with rainfall totals of just 9.2mm compared to the normal 41.9mm. June followed a similar pattern with only 2.5mm of rain as opposed to the usual 34.6mm. But it was October that saw the biggest deficits, with -101.4mm rain as opposed to normal.
Windy days were in the normal range, with 46 days seeing gusts in excess of 60km/h. This falls in between the 40 days of high winds in 2020 and the 50 days in 2019. The strongest winds were reported on 15thNovember when the weather station on the roof of the Oceanographic Museum saw a dramatic gust of 93.2km/h.
Since the 1970’s in Monaco, each decade has progressively shown an overall rise in average temperatures on the previous one.
Statistics for the past 10 years show this to continue to be the case.
Photo of Larvotto beach by Benedetta Pizzonia, Monaco Life
Alick and Albert wins Special Jury Prize at film festival
A documentary film starring Prince Albert II and Badu Island artist Alick Tipoti has won the Special Jury Prize at the 19th International Oceanian Documentary Film Festival held last week in Papeete, Tahiti.
Documentary film Albert and Alick is, on the one hand, an unlikely film about an unlikely friendship that grew between two strangers from completely different worlds. On the other, it is about two men who are both looking to stop the madness of global warming and protect the oceans that are near to both of their hearts.
Directed by Douglas Watkin, the film was first conceived after the chance meeting between the Prince and Australian artist Alick Tipoti at the Oceanographic Museum exhibition ‘Taba Naba: Australia, Oceania, art of the peoples of the sea’ in 2016.
An off-the-cuff initiation for Prince Albert II to visit Tipoti’s small island home of Badu Island in the Torres Strait off Northern Australia launched a relationship between the two men that led to the Prince visiting Badu in 2018 as part of a Monaco Explorations mission. The hospitality was reciprocated in 2019, when Tipoti returned to Monaco.
Both trips were filmed, and the ensuing result was a touching and poignant picture of two people who, in their own ways, are striving to save the planet and make the world a better place. It is also the tale of diversity, man’s relationship with nature and a message of the importance of peace, tolerance, and understanding between cultures.
The Sovereign’s admiration for the work of Tipoti is evident, and respect for the Prince by Tipoti is equally clear.
“This connection between art, science and nature embodied by Alick Tipoti is simply remarkable,” the Prince said in a trailer for the film.
The 2022 International Oceanian Documentary Film Festival (FIFO), held from 5th to 13th February in the Tahitian capital of Papeete, celebrated this connection by awarding the film the Special Jury Prize.
FIFO selected a dozen feature films out of 120 submitted and presented them to the public at the Maison de la Culture de Tahiti and online on the Festival’s digital platform.
Presenting the Special Jury Prize, Beckie Stocchetti, Jury Member and Executive Director of the Hawaii International Film Festival, said, “The Jury was very impressed with this film which showcased the work of indigenous artists and talk about a global, planetary problem, climate change. This film is an inspiration to all of us to protect our oceans and all the marine life therein.”
The film festival was created in 2004 and has gradually brought in directors from Oceania and elsewhere to introduce the world to this region. The 2020 festival saw more than 30,000 attendees.
