The French Presidential election has a final list of 12 candidates vying for the top spot. Amongst those is incumbent President Emmanuel Macron, who took his time announcing his candidature and who is promising to be “President as long as he has to.”
The official list of candidates for the upcoming French Presidential election was published on Monday with a dozen men and women all throwing their hats in the ring.
These candidates have met the requirements necessary to compete in the two-round election, meaning they were able to procure 500 endorsements from elected French officials and are now eligible.
The first round of voting is to be held on 10th April for all candidates. The second will be a run-off on 24th April between the top two candidates should no clear majority be won in the first round.
Emmanuel Macron, the sitting President, only officially joined in the fray a week ago and made the announcement via an open letter published by several media outlets. In this letter, he says, “I am seeking your trust again. I am a candidate to invent with you, faced with the century’s challenges, a French and European singular response.”
He chose this medium to announce his bid over a televised one, as he claims he didn’t want to appear inappropriate when the time was meant to be used speaking about the Ukrainian conflict.
His handling of the situation in Ukraine has given him a boost in the polls, showing him to be well ahead in the race with 28% of voters saying they will vote for him. This is leaps and bounds ahead of the perennial far-right candidate, Marine Le Pen, who has about 17%. Mainstream Candidate Valerie Pécresse and hard-right Eric Zemmour are slightly behind Le Pen.
At the moment, it looks like a run-off between Le Pen and Macron is the likely outcome, mimicking the previous presidential race in 2017 that saw out-of-nowhere Macron steal the show.
Marcon Version 2022’s platform has some interesting points and ones that may not have been so benignly accepted even a few years ago.
He has suggested he would scrap the national television license fee, for one thing, and raise the retirement age from 62 to 65. He also has presented an idea for reforms to the pension fund, which he is calling a “pact between generations” that would support individuals during their lifetimes, from childhood to apprenticeship, during job training through dependency for the elderly.
Additionally, Macron has come out in support of investing in new technologies, fighting against inequality and defending some unspecified thing he calls “French uniqueness”. All noble positions, to be sure, though who would argue with such vague points.
Macron has also been clear he would not participate in a potential debate with his opponents, arguing that no other outgoing president has ever done so, but mainly because it is thought that such a debate would end up being a serious melee.
With only just over four weeks until the election, if Macron can hold his lead, he will be the first President of France to win re-election since Jacques Chirac in 2002.
Photo source: Reuters
Interview: Clivio Piccione on revolutionising the karting world
Having raced alongside the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Clivio Piccione now re-enters the world of karting, proposing a radical, sustainable and equitable championship that has the potential to fundamentally change the sport.
Clivio Piccione, a Monegasque former single-seat racing driver, is getting ready to bring a new concept to the Principality. The Monaco E Kart Championship (MEKC) will be seen, but not heard, around Monaco and its surrounding area from August until December, fusing motorsport with a socially conscious initiative and an innovative environmental project.
Piccione’s brainchild was conceived not only through his passion and experience in karting, but also a desire to make what is ultimately a financially inhibitive sport more accessible.
As Piccione told Monaco Life, he was lucky to have karted during a time when the barriers to entry that exist today weren’t so pronounced. “In my era, I think the means necessary to break through into the world of karting were distinctly less high than it is today. There has been a real explosion in the budget.”
He then revealed the eye-watering sums that are needed simply to compete nowadays. “Today, to participate in a high-level karting category, it can cost up to €20,000 a race. Usually, there are 35 races in a year, so if you do 35 x €20,000 that equals a lot of money.”
Luckily Piccione could compete and he looks back at his illustrious karting days as some of the finest of his racing career. “My best days in motorsport were my early days in karting, when I was discovering motorsport, in those big races, where there would be 150 drivers in the same category, and where I battled at the time with Hamilton, Rosberg and (Nelson) Piquet (JR).”
The Monegasque driver would go on to make 207 race appearances and claim eight wins and 37 podiums, across a variety of categories including GP2, British F3 and the Renault World Series. Throughout that time, he never lost his passion for karting, and returned to that world following his retirement from driving in 2012.
It is Piccione’s belief that the most talented drivers shouldn’t be deprived of following his path. “I was part of a great generation of drivers. Ultimately, we didn’t all have the same chance to follow the same path in motorsport, because of personal choices as well. I took a different route. My will now is to create something new and to pass it on, to share this passion that I have for motorsport.”
Clivio Piccione, source MEKC
This is where the equitable element of the MEKC’s mission statement comes to the fore. “We offered three seats in the three categories. During a selection, which took place over two days, we had a winner, who will get to race, all expenses paid by the organisers in the Championship.”
The 38-year-old continued, “That was something important for me, offering something to the person who deserved it most, the only factor being their driving ability. This helps young people who don’t necessarily have the means to compete.”
In addition to this gesture, which could prove life-changing for its recipient, Piccione has also committed to creating a level playing field in the races themselves, which is a radical departure from existing karting series. “Often unfortunately in this sport, a selection is done very quickly, and it’s based on finance. If you don’t have the money to have the best mechanic, the best chassis, etc. you won’t win the race.”
Rather than finances being a yardstick for success in the MEKC, it will be the driver’s pure talent that shines through. “The technology will be the same for everyone. Everyone has the same chassis, the same motor, same tyres, the same setup and therefore the same kart. It is the driver, his know-how that will make the difference.”
Not only will all drivers be given the same tools, the technical nature of the circuits on the calendar will further accentuate the driver’s ability. “With the race taking place in city centres it adds an even more technical element than classic circuits, due to the fact that you have close walls, like in the Monaco GP, which gains its reputation for this feature because it’s a mythical GP, at the same time dangerous and technically demanding.”
As the karts make their way around the streets of the Principality, which are iconic within the world of motorsport, there will be one immediately noticeable sensory difference – the lack of sound. That is of course, a by-product of a kart that is completely electric.
What is perhaps most impressive about these electronic karts, is their performance. As Piccione rightly points out, there still remains a significant difference in the performance of electric vehicles relative to their thermal counterparts in most sporting series. “Formula currently isn’t at the same level of performance as Formula one, but they’ll certainly get there.”
In contrast, huge technological advances have allowed for the construction of an electronic kart with a performance equivalent to that of a thermal kart. “The advantage today of electric karting, compared to Formula E, is that today the electric kart has an equal performance to a thermal car. We are therefore arriving with a product with identical performance, even superior in certain regards.”
And that’s not all, Piccione believes that electric karts will soon outpace their gas-guzzling equivalents. “In six months to a year, we’re definitely going to have superior performance, so for us that is an advantage for sure.”
The project is certainly in keeping with the objectives of the Principality which, as Piccione notes, has an “automobile heritage as well as its environmental heritage that the Prince has defended for many years now.”
Photo source MEKC
In fact, the project has an entire national orientation, down even to the make-up of the kart itself. One particularly notable contributor to the project is Charles Leclerc, whose brand provides the chassis’. “We have a technical partnership with the Leclerc brand, and with Charles himself directly. We use his brand because we wanted the brand to be as national as possible. It was therefore natural for us to associate ourselves with it.”
It is also through appropriating Monaco’s rich motorsport heritage, its international outlook and its media clout, that Piccione looks beyond not only beyond the Principality’s borders, but beyond the continent. “The hope for the future is that we can duplicate this format on an international level from Monaco, harnessing the Principality’s media strength.”
He continued, “The plan is therefore to bridge Europe, and at the same time create a European championship, with races in all of the major capitals. So, the aim is for national expansion, a European expansion, and in two or three years, a World Championship, why not? To give this project a global reach. I think the project has an enormous potential for pretty rapid growth.”
Piccione clearly has global ambitions, but recognises the work that must go in in the short-term in order to make this revolutionary new sporting concept flourish. “We need to concretise it. It won’t be an easy year, there is a lot of work ahead of us, but we are all committed to this beautiful project, wanting to create a real global success story.”
The schedule has been revealed for this year’s Monaco Ocean Week, a local forum that brings together the world’s biggest names in management and protection of the seas.
It’s fairly common knowledge that the Earth is 70% water, but maybe not so common to know that 97% of that water is in our oceans. With this big of a slice of the planetary pie, it would stand to reason that those living in the minority on the other 30% would take better care of their larger cousin, but this sadly is not the case.
The world’s oceans are clogged with pollution, disrupted by over fishing and over aggressive shipping practices and its inhabitants are being systematically killed off as we stand by and let it happen.
From 21st to 26th March, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and its partners, the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, the Scientific Centre of Monaco and the Yacht Club of Monaco, with the support of the Prince’s Government, have invited the primary international players in ocean management and protection to meet and discuss topics ranging from plastic pollution, ocean acidification, coral reefs, the blue economy and innovation, the potential of algae, coastal resilience and scientific research.
In all, there will be over 50 events planned during the week, some private but many open to the public.
Amongst the invitation-only highlights of the 5th edition of Monaco Ocean Week will be the Monaco Blue Initiative, an event that will see experts, scientists and other top players addressing the current and future global challenges on 21st March.
Then, on 23rd March, the Ocean Innovators Platform, a private event dedicated to cutting-edge technologies and inventive solutions aiming at conserving the world’s ocean, seas and marine resources, will take place. It will highlight the essential role of entrepreneurship, innovation and investment to develop a sustainable blue economy.
The Yacht Club of Monaco is hosting Capital Day, along with the Belle Classe Symposium, for sustainable yachting practices on 24th March.
Additionally, on 25th March, the Conference of Coastal Resistance ‘Sea and the city, Pathways to coastal resilience’ will be taking place. This seminar will examine the issues, identify the tools for assessing vulnerabilities, and highlight the solutions to be put in place, in particular those based on Nature, to protect and strengthen the resilience of coastal and marine ecosystems in the face of climate change.
The general public can enjoy a variety of exhibitions, conferences, and even reading for the kids.
On 24th of March, a marine biodiversity and gastronomy evening has been organised by the Scientific Centre of Monaco (CSM), where guests will first explore the relationships between marine diversity and beauty, moving their focus to gastronomy and the seas.
On 25th March, the Arktic Circle Exhibition and Conference is taking place at the meeting room of the Monaco Yacht Club. After several years of observations, environmentalist and photographer Olivier Anrigo, takes guests on an expedition to Norway, Lapland, and Spitsbergen. These lands are today threatened by global warming, and the conference aims to make people aware of the urgency, as well as to bring hope due to the actions being put in place to preserve them.
There will also be an avant-premiere of the Mediterranean documentary series, Odyssey for Life, which reveals the wonders of the world whilst showing its fragility. At sea, on land and in the air, the audience will go on a fascinating journey through the world of animals and plants that have adapted to continue to live in the Mediterranean, despite the growing impact of human activities. The viewing will be at the Princess Grace Theatre, by reservation only.
For the littlest visitors, the Monaco Media Library will host a book reading on 25th March of one of the adventures of the ‘Ice the Bear’ trilogy. The story revolves around a travelling bear who encounters different environmental issues through his experiences. After the reading, there will be quizzes and drawing competitions for children aged five to 10.
Spaces for many events are limited, so reservations are recommended. For a full listing of the programme for the week and to save a space, visit https://www.monacooceanweek.org/en/program/
Photo of the 2019 edition of Monaco Ocean Week, from left to right: Bernard Fautrier, former Vice-President of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation; Cyril Gomez, Director General of the Department of Equipment, Environment and Urban Planning; Robert Calcagno, Director General of the Oceanographic Institute; Denis Allemand, Director of the Monaco Scientific Center and Bernard d’Alessandri, Managing Director and General Secretary of the Yacht Club of Monaco. By Communication Department/Manuel Vitali
Yet more snow is expected across the region this weekend adding to what has thus far been a snowy month. Isola 2000 and Limone Piemonte are amongst the resorts expected to get a fresh white sheet.
Isola 2000 – There are currently 23 ski slopes and 17 ski lifts open at Isola. Visitors can expect there to be between 95 and 80 cm of hard snow, whilst this will be topped up with more fresh snow throughout the weekend, with snow forecast on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Skiers will have to wrap up with highs of just 1°C and lows of -8°C. The col de la Bonette and la Lombarde roads are closed until the end of the winter season. The 2022 Xtreme Snowscoot tour will be taking place at the resort over the weekend.
Auron – There are currently 21 ski slopes and 16 ski lifts open at the resort, with between 85-75 cm of standing snow thanks to last Saturday’s snowfall. This will be topped up further this weekend with snowfall on Saturday and Sunday. There will also be some moderate winds potentially reaching 31km/h on Saturday. The incoming snow will entail a drop in temperatures with highs of 2°C and lows of -5°C. In terms of access, Route de la Tinée, Route de la Bonette, Piste de la Moustière, Piste de Demandols all remain closed.
Les Deux Alpes – There is a huge choice of runs at the resort with 79 ski slopes and 40 ski lifts currently open. There is 65cm of soft standing snow. The resort isn’t expecting any snow over the weekend, and temperatures are expected to rebound following last week’s cold spell with lows of -2°C and highs of 6°C. It will be largely overcast this weekend with the chance of rain on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
La Colmiane – There are 11 ski slopes and five ski lifts open at the resort, with between 70 and 45 cm of standing snow following last weekend’s snowfall. Friday will see sunny intervals, with overcast conditions forecast for the rest of the weekend. There is also a chance of snow late on Sunday. Temperatures will be lower than previous weekends with highs of 1°C and lows of -5°C. The resort hosts a market on Saturdays, and will continue to do so until the end of March.
Greolieres les Neiges – There are nine ski lifts open, as well as 30km of open runs. There is between 47 and 28 cm of soft standing snow at the resort. It will be a largely cloudy weekend on the slopes of Greolieres, with sunny intervals expected on Saturday and Sunday. There will also be highs of 6°C and lows of -3°C. The resort isn’t reporting any road closures.
Limone Piemonte – The Italian resort is reporting 15 open runs and 11 ski-lifts, while snow levels vary from 45 cm to 10 cm. There is expected to be heavy snowfall over the weekend with further snow forecast every day from today until Monday. There will be lows of -4°C and highs of 4°C. Passage through the Roya valley currently isn’t possible due to the collapsed bridge at Tende. Drivers must instead pass through Ventimiglia and the journey from Monaco is currently approximately three hours.
Valberg – There are 22 ski slopes and 11 ski lifts open. The resort currently has between 80 and 60 cm of standing snow, following the snowfall on Valentine’s day. Unlike the rest of the region, where snowy and overcast conditions are forecast, it is expected to be largely sunny at Valberg, with beautiful conditions on Saturday in particular. It is expected to be slightly milder than last weekend with highs of 4°C and lows of 0°C.
Note: Snow tyres must be worn on the roads up to the ski resorts.
Here are some of the hottest luxury yachts available during the Monaco GP
The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most awe-inspiring events on the global sporting calendar, and experiencing it from the comfort of your own luxury charter yacht is a reservation like no other.
Whether you’re an annual Grand Prix attendee or a new-goer, experiencing this powerful event from a superyacht charter allows for unlimited privacy, luxury and comfort. The options are endless, from yachts carrying high-performance water toys to those boasting on-water spas and gyms. Luxury yachts come in all shapes and sizes, so whether you’re looking to gather an intimate group of people, or throw a party, there is a perfect yacht charter for everyone. If you’ve never witnessed the Grand Prix from the decks of your own luxury yacht, it is time to push the envelope and see what all the excitement is about.
“The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the top events in Monaco, and being on a luxury yacht right there by the track is an experience like no other,” says Northrop & Johnson Managing Director, Europe Patrick Coote. “A superyacht charter allows for optimal privacy, luxury and entertainment as well as a front-row seat to watch the Formula 1 drivers speed across the track.”
Northrop & Johnson has compiled a list of the hottest luxury charter yachts available for the Monaco Grand Prix. All yachts are subject to change due to availability.
Da Vinci
The 2017 164’ (50m) Mangusta superyacht Da Vinci is as beautiful as they come. She reaches speeds of over 38 knots and is an ideal yacht for speed-demons and thrill-seekers. While Da Vinci’s high performance is something to marvel at, her stunning interior and exterior design notes are what makes her so unique. The yacht’s decks are incredibly spacious, with impressive visibility past her sleek structure. The spa pool surrounded by sunpads welcomes guests to soak up the sun in complete luxury. Da Vinci’s plethora of exterior areas makes her a dream party and entertainment charter yacht. The yacht can accommodate 12 guests in five beautiful cabins. Her interior spaces are just as comfortable and elegant as her exterior, with high-quality finishes, huge windows and a colour scheme that exudes luxury. Da Vinci is priced from €225,000 per week, plus expenses.
Veni Vidi Vici
At 130’ (39.6m), Veni Vidi Vici is a semi-custom Mangusta that prioritises performance without compromising luxury. Built in 2006 and full-refitted in 2019, this yacht offers a chic, welcoming ambiance both inside and out. Veni Vidi Vici’s interior spaces feature dramatic design elements with beautiful lighting and huge windows. The retractable roof seamlessly merges the outdoors to the main salon to create a unique lounging and socialising area for guests. The charter yacht welcomes 11 guests in five well-appointed staterooms. Veni Vidi Vici’s deck spaces offer endless entertainment possibilities, from alfresco dining to sunbathing on the aft and foredecks. This is an ideal setup for parties with friends and family. Veni Vidi Vici is priced from €120,000 per week, plus expenses.
Veni Vidi Vici
A&A
Launched by CRN in 1974, and refitted in 2021, charter yacht A&A combines class and comfort to create a truly beautiful on-water retreat. A&A welcomes 10 guests in five well-appointed staterooms, all featuring the same warm, welcoming design as the rest of the yacht. The main salon is traditional and features stunning wood paneling and large windows allowing for a flow of natural light. The sheltered aft deck is the perfect locale for alfresco dining, and the spacious sundeck is ideal for socializing around the bar or sunbathing on the sunbeds. At the bow, guests can relax and admire the views on the huge sunpads. A&A is priced from €38,000 per week, plus expenses.
Scott Free
Built in 2009 by Abeking & Rasmussen, the 196’ (60m) Scott Free is a highly regarded charter yacht that has been built and maintained with entertainment in mind. The yacht was refitted in 2022 and features a beautiful main salon with a trendy bar, a spacious skylounge and lots of space for alfresco dining and socialising. Scott Free’s large sundeck showcases a sit-at bar with a barbeque and optional awnings when shade is desired. The charter yacht can host 12 guests in six staterooms. This is an ideal yacht for entertaining and relaxing, with an on-deck Jacuzzi and gym equipment. Scott Free is priced from €370,000 per week, plus expenses.
Moskito
Delivered in 2021 by Heesen yachts, Moskito is 180’ (55m) of pure excellence. The yacht hosts 12 guests in six awe-inspiring staterooms. Her modern interior is a dream for design enthusiasts. The intelligent styling wraps guests in a feeling of elegance and comfort with an earthy palette and high-end finishes. Moskito’s laundry list of unique features includes a lower deck wellness area with a sauna, steam room and gym, a large Jacuzzi and a full-beam skylounge with floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors for panoramic views. The deck spaces of Moskito are impressive, with endless dining and lounging spaces. The yacht’s infinite aft deck spaces ensure guests will never be without entertainment. Moskito is priced from €350,000 per week, plus expenses.
Loon
Characterised as one of the most desirable yachts on the charter market, the 180’ (54.86m) Newcastle Loon welcomes 12 guests to enjoy restful nights in her six generous staterooms. Loon’s timeless interior is combined with her modern exterior spaces to create an ideal yacht for charter with family and friends. The yacht is equipped with an elevator for seamless access to all levels. The panoramic skylounge is the primary social area of the yacht with sweeping views, a full-service bar and easy access to the aft deck for alfresco dining and lounging. The expansive sundeck features a covered Jacuzzi, another full bar and tons of sunloungers. Loon is priced from €325,000 per week, plus expenses.
A&A, photo by Alex Turnbull
Hurricane Run
Built by renowned yacht builder Feadship in 2009, Hurricane Run boasts sleek, clean exterior lines and vast exterior areas. She measures 175’ (53.50m) in length and can accommodate 12 guests in six well-appointed cabins. The main salon features minimalist, crisp styling with a monochromatic palette to create a comfortable atmosphere. The expansive aft deck leads to a large swimplatform, perfect for swimming and watersports. Hurrican Run is a testament to her famed builder and features all the luxurious amenities expected on a yacht of her caliber. The sundeck onboard Hurrican Run is impressive, with endless seating options, a Jacuzzi and a full bar. Hurricane Run is priced from €245,000 per week, plus expenses.
La Pellegrina
La Pellegrina is a 164’ (50m) Couach delivered in 2012 and refitted in 2020. The luxury charter yacht welcomes 12 guests in six stunning staterooms. La Pellegrina’s bright and light interior décor contributes to her charming aesthetic. The floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in the main salon ensure a breathtaking view from every angle. The master suite on the bridge deck features a private deck and gym equipment. Three decks make up La Pellegrina’s exterior spaces. The sundeck is the place to be seen, with comfortable sunbeds and a spa Jacuzzi. For alfresco dining, the main deck aft can be utilised for meals under the stars. La Pellegrina Is priced from €240,000 per week, plus expenses.
K2
The 2021 162’ (50m) Columbus K2 is a striking yacht for charter, featuring a sporty exterior design and a comfortable interior. K2’s spacious foredeck features a hot tub and sunpads, making it the perfect locale for lounging. The yacht welcomes 11 guests in five staterooms, all complete with the same contemporary design as the rest of the yacht. K2’s beach club brings everyone together to hang out close to the water and make memories to last a lifetime. K2 is priced from €270,000 per week, plus expenses.
Rocket
At 163’ (49.8m) in length, Rocket was delivered in 2011 by Heesen and underwent a complete refit in 2021. Rocket is a floating work of art, with dramatic interior and exterior design and stark contrasts of black and white finishes. Her highly unique interior makes guests feel like they are in a sculpture, with functional artwork features such as the stunning staircase. Rocket’s six-stateroom layout welcomes up to 12 guests. The yacht’s bespoke circular skylounge offers 270-degree views. Rocket showcases ample living and entertainment spaces with shaded dining and lounging areas and a hot tub on the sundeck. Rocket is priced from €230,000 per week, plus expenses.
Da Vinci
Eiv
Delivered in 2020 by Rossinavi, Eiv sits at 160’ (48.80m) in length and showcases a captivating design resembling an Italian automobile. The yacht’s unique exterior aesthetic, coupled with her comfortable interior spaces, create the perfect charter option. Eiv’s stylish design can be seen in every inch of the yacht, from the touches of onyx on the interior to the modern Jacuzzi and seating located forward and sundeck resistance pool. Eiv is nothing short of entertaining, her aft decks encouraging alfresco dining and socializing. Eiv sleeps 10 guests in five staterooms and is priced from €245,000 per week, plus expenses.
Silver Wave
The 150’ (45.72m) Palmer Johnson yacht Silver Wave is a masterpiece that combines design and performance. She was launched in 2009 and refitted in 2017, leaving her in primed condition. Silver Wave welcomes 10 guests in five staterooms. Bright white sunpads and couches complement the yacht’s striking metallic hull. Her deck spaces are full of entertainment possibilities. Silver Wave is priced from €110,000 per week, plus expenses.
My Little Violet
Launched in 2006 by Abeking & Rasmussen, My Little Violet measures 149’ (45.60m) in length and welcomes 10 guests onboard in five comfortable staterooms. The yacht’s interior is adorned with suede, silk and leather to create a cozy atmosphere. My Little Violet’s expansive deck spaces are ideal for relaxing and enjoying meals alfresco. My Little Violet is priced from €180,000 per week, plus expenses.
All the headlines and highlights from Monaco, direct to you every morning
