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Month: March 2023

Formula 1: Red Bull secure one-two as Charles Leclerc climbs to seventh

by: Luke Entwistle
19/03/2023

Sergio Perez defended his pole position, whilst Max Verstappen produced a thrilling comeback drive from 15th place at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix on Sunday, but Charles Leclerc could only manage seventh.

Perez lost his first place at the first corner, as Fernando Alonso, who joined him on the front row, took the inside line. However, the Spaniard had committed a rudimentary error and received a five-second penalty after failing to start in the correct grid position.

Ultimately, that penalty was of little consequence in the race for second. Perez made the pass to retake the lead on lap four, and never looked like losing it. Meanwhile, Leclerc, starting in 12th due to a penalty incurred for a power unit change, was cutting his way through the field nicely on the soft tyre.

Leclerc loses rhythm

Leclerc reached P7 after an overtake on Lewis Hamilton before making the change to the hard tyre. It was at this point that the Monégasque became unstuck. The Ferrari driver had pitted just one lap before a safety car, which was brought out due to a technical failure on Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin. All of his competitors profited from pitting under the safety car, with Hamilton getting the jump.

Leclerc was then stuck behind teammate Carlos Sainz, with neither Ferrari finding rhythm on the hard tyres. An audibly frustrated Leclerc made no further progress, finishing seventh, one place behind his teammate.

Verstappen close to a miraculous comeback

Verstappen’s rise through the field had a sense of inevitability about it. Everything went perfectly for the reigning world champion in the opening half of the race. His progress was steady during his opening stint, and the safety car couldn’t have come at a better time.

Alonso was no match for Verstappen’s Red Bull, and the only question was whether he could catch his teammate up front. The Dutchman, who seemingly struggled with some minor technical issues after Saturday’s withdrawal from qualifying, couldn’t make inroads into Perez’s lead, but did take the extra point for fastest lap, which coupled with his second position, allows him to remain at the top of the standings.

He was behind eventual winner Perez but in front of Alonso, however, the Aston Martin driver was hauled off the podium, receiving a 10-second time penalty related to his previous infringement, promoting George Russell to third. Alonso did, however, finish ahead of Hamilton, as well as the two Ferraris.

At this stage of the season, Red Bull are unrivalled, and that looks set to remain the case with the grid heading to Melbourne, Australia in a fortnight’s time.

 

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Photo from Scuderia Ferrari press office

Football: Monaco return to winning ways against Ajaccio

by: Luke Entwistle
19/03/2023

AS Monaco secured their first victory of March with an unconvincing but essential 2-0 victory over AC Ajaccio in Corsica on Sunday. 

Les Monégasques have been on a barren run. Since beating Stade Brestois on 19th February, they had failed to win a game, and have since been eliminated from European competition and fallen off the podium. However, with victory over Ajaccio, Monaco are once again looking forward, despite the content of the result.

Without Aleksandr Golovin, arguably Monaco’s player of the season, due to an adductor injury, the Principality side lacked fluidity and struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. However, they opened the scoring midway through the first half thanks to a Caio Henrique set play. The Brazilians’ cross was met by Guillermo Maripán, who forced a brilliant save from Benjamin Leroy, but he could do nothing about Wissam Ben Yedder’s close-range rebound.

The result, but nothing more

Having broken the deadlock, Ajaccio remained compact, and Monaco continued to struggle. Even after Cyrille Bayala was correctly sent off for a reckless challenge on Henrique, the goals didn’t flow, although substitute Krépin Diatta did seal the result late on after being played through by Mohamed Camara.

The result was best summarised by Youssouf Fofana, who said post-match, “We don’t take much from this match apart from the result.” Philippe Clement added, “We were less fluid than in other matches, but we won. It’s also important to keep a clean sheet, it’s been a long time since we’ve had one. We lacked confidence after four matches without a victory. That’s human. There are many things that we can use going forward in the coming weeks.”

A friendly against La Spezia

The result means that Monaco go into the upcoming international break on a positive note. Les Monégasques, or at least those that won’t travel to represent their national sides, will keep the motor running with a friendly against La Spezia on 23rd March, which will also give some of the club’s youngsters a chance to impress.

Monaco then return to competitive action when they welcome Ligue 1 strugglers Strasbourg to the Stade Louis II on 2nd April.

 

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Photo by AS Monaco

Sign up for Forest Day Hike in the hills above Monaco

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/03/2023

To celebrate International Day of the Forests, a special hike is being organised on 18th March departing Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and reaching Mont-Gros, taking in the breathtaking view of Monaco and the Mediterranean.

The Office National des Forêts (ONF), in partnership with the Principality of Monaco and the municipality of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, is organising the free event a few days ahead of the official International Day of the Forests on 21st March.

The hike on Saturday 18th March will be based on the theme: ‘Good health and well-being’, with the aim of raising awareness among the public on the importance of the forest.

Departing from Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, participants will be able to discover the area’s rich natural and cultural heritage, from the seaside town to its village perched at an altitude of 225 metres, before reaching Mont-Gros via a hiking trail to admire a breathtaking view of the Principality and the Mediterranean.

During this one-and-a-half hour walk, ONF agents will introduce participants to the forest and biodiversity protection actions implemented by its teams, the municipality of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and the Principality of Monaco following the devastating fires in 1986. They can be experienced through interpretive trails, connected walks, panoramic viewpoints and even the installation of an insect hotel.

Activities surrounding food and and health in the forest will also be offered to participants.

To register, please click here.

Podcast: This Week in Monaco 17th March

by: Cassandra Tanti
18/03/2023

The Monaco Life journalists behind the headlines this week talk about Prince Albert’s 65th birthday, the controversial Esplanade des Pecheurs project, the rumours flying around Ferrari, shock suspension at AS Monaco basketball and Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters line-up confirmed.

Featuring Editor in Chief: Cassandra Tanti, Editor and Journalist Elsa Carpenter, News and Lifestyle Journalist Stephanie Horsman, and Sports Journalist Luke Entwistle.

To listen to the podcast, simply click play in the box below…

 

Photos: Prince Albert II unveils statue of Princess Grace in Ireland

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/03/2023

Prince Albert II was on site in County Mayo as a new statute of his late mother, Princess Grace, was unveiled to a large and excited crowd.  

Grace Kelly’s grandfather emigrated to the United States in 1860, but the family’s Irish connections were always held dear. This connection was so apparent that after her death in 1982, Prince Rainier III championed the creation of the Princess Grace Irish Library in Monaco, whose purpose is to share Ireland’s literary culture and legacy with the wider population.  

Now the Princess has been honoured in her ancestral nation with a statue crafted by artist Mark Rode, whose previous work depicting her caught the attention of Prince Albert, who was “significantly involved” in the creation of the final piece.  

The statue, which is located near the Seven-Arch Viaduct in Newport, County Mayo, shows the Princess elegantly perched on a bench in a rather glamourous gown.  

Prince Albert travelled to Ireland to officially unveil the statue in a visit organised by the Newport Business Association as part of The Two Graces project. It turns out that two legendary women with the same name hail from this part of the world, the other being notorious pirate queen, Grace O’Malley. A statue of O’Malley will be completed in 2024, also by Rode. 

Other notable works from the sculptor include the Barack and Michelle Obama statue in Moneygall, County Offaly, the Quiet Man Statue in Cong, County Mayo, and the Titanic Memorial in Addergoole in Lahardane, also in County Mayo. 

As for the Prince’s visit, the townspeople were decidedly thrilled. Darragh McGee, one of the organisers, told RTE News, “We’re delighted to have Prince Albert unveil the statue.”  

Click on the gallery below to see more images, courtesy of the Palais Princier…

 

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Photos credit: Ed Reid, source Palais Princier

 

Horologer KF teams up with the Gazelles to promote new luxury timepieces

by: Cassandra Tanti
17/03/2023

On Saturday 18th March, hundreds of women of all nationalities and ages will complete the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles in Morocco. Two teams will have navigated their way with the help of KF, a new bespoke watch brand recently launched in Monaco.

The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles, now in its 30th year and supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, has brought together more than 350 women, aged 18 to 65 and from more than 30 different nationalities, in the heart of the Moroccan desert for a unique international human adventure.

After departing Nice and Monaco on 4th March, the rally drivers will arrive at their final destination on 18th March. With no speed or GPS requirements, the women will have relied solely on old-style off-road navigation and pure determination.

Relying on their crews and precision will be the keys to their success: two terms that echo Haute Horlogerie. It is not surprising then that KF Masterpieces this year decided to support two female crews: 106 and 108. The house has specially developed a timepiece that the teams are using to help them navigate their way through the 32nd edition of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc.

“For several days, with only themselves to rely on, all of these women will show solidarity. A value intrinsic to watchmaking, for which only respect for everyone’s work makes it possible to achieve an optimum result,” Claire Froté, Head of KF Marketing and Communication, told Monaco Life during a recent press launch at Club 39 in Monaco.

The watches, designed with an orange wristband in the official colours of the rally, can be used by the teams for “old school” navigation, allowing participants to calculate their position coordinates.

Once the rally is completed, the watches will be auctioned – in all their wear and tear – and the money raised will go towards the teams’ chosen charities. In this case, Sigrid and Sonia are raising money for the charity that they created themselves, Pour Eux Pour Elles, an association that aims to support people with serious illnesses, as well as their loved ones, and provide them with support and well-being on a daily basis. The association was created after Sonia survived a ruptured aneurysm.

For these women, the motivation is above all a personal challenge: “We don’t know what awaits us, it’s an adventure, but we’re ready,” said Sonia. “And it is only for me, first and foremost. As a woman we always think of others, our families, our children, so it is rare that we actually do something completely for ourselves.”

Who is KF?

KF was founded in 2016 by master watchmaker Karsten Frässdorf, who has established a strong reputation in repairing and restoring watches. According to the CEO of KF, Elmar van Dijk, Karsten Frässdorf saw an opportunity to innovate the watchmaking landscape and run firmly against the tide.

“There is a niche out there and what is important for all of us is the perseverance, the audacity to go in and give it a try. We are really innovating the watchmaking space with bespoke watches for our clients, that we can customise entirely to their wishes.”

KF has a resolutely contemporary style, distinguished by authentic expertise inspired by chronometry (precision timekeeing).

The time pieces are designed and created in KF’s workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds, a cradle of watchmaking and a city featured on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its watchmaking town planning.

Here, clients are invited into the creative process of designing their unique time pieces.

“It’s an experience not only to wear a KF, it’s the experience of defining what you want with the designer and the watchmaker,” says Froté.

With its atelier located just over the border in Switzerland, and its time pieces positioned in the high price segment, residents of Monaco are precisely the clientele that KF envision wearing their prestigious time pieces. Its unique partnership with Club 39, a private sports club in Larvotto, defines its strategic positioning in the Principality and the market to which is aimed.

“Monaco is a very mature market because it is a centre of luxury,” says Froté. “So, we focus our offer on tailor made pieces, for clients who want to be free of all the conventional status symbols. They want to have something different, something that is part of them, something that defines them, and in that perspective, Monaco is extraordinary because people are not afraid to try something different, they are very open minded, and very mature in terms of their approach to luxury.”

 

Photo above by Monaco Life