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Month: March 2023

Basketball: AS Monaco Roca Team make it three in a row

by: Luke Entwistle
09/03/2023
Monaco Basketball

AS Monaco Basketball registered their third victory on the bounce in all competitions after comfortably overcoming Panathinaikos (84-70), whilst some familiar faces returned to the Salle Gaston Médecin.

The clouds of crisis have dissipated at the Principality club over the course of the past week. Victories against Maccabi Tel Aviv, Nanterre and then Panathinaikos on Wednesday ensured that their prior defeats were merely a blip.

The Roca Team have diversified their assets this season. There is no denying that Mike James (11 points) essentially has the keys to this Monégasque project, but players such as Jordan Loyd (18 points), Alpha Diallo (18 points) and Elie Okobo (12 points, four assists) have definitely decreased the dependence on the American point guard.

Diallo and Loyd were particularly decisive in the fixture against their Greek opponents. The former scored eight consecutive points for Monaco in the first quarter, and as always, was diligent and efficient in his defensive work.

Roca Boys back in town

Panathinaikos possess a considerable and familiar attacking arsenal. Dwayne Bacon (10 points) and Paris Lee (nine points), who both played for Monaco last season, returned to the Salle Gaston Médecin, but struggled to influence the game. The aggression and intensity of Monaco’s defence limited their opponents to difficult shots, often on the buzzer.

The Roca Team are used to winning games with their attack, but this one was won with their defence. Already cruising going into the fourth quarter, Panathinaikos withered away at the beginning of the final 10 minutes, allowing Monaco to stride to a comfortable victory (84-70).

The win temporarily moves Monaco above Fenerbahçe in the Euroleague, which is significant, as finishing inside the top four would secure home-court advantage for the end-of-season play-offs.

“Monaco really accelerated in the final quarter and we couldn’t respond,” began former Roca Boy Lee. “Returning here, there is a lot of emotion. I met up with my former teammates and I miss them.”

“All the players gave it their all. We were very aggressive in defence and that paid off with many balls in transition. Now, we have to move on to Baskonia. After finishing late tonight (Wednesday), we have little time to prepare for this match,” said Sasa Obradovic post-match.

Monaco travel to Spain to face Baskonia on Friday, under 48 hours after a gruelling Euroleague display.

 

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Photo by AS Monaco Basketball 

The Monaco Life ski report

by: Luke Entwistle
09/03/2023

Conditions across the region’s ski resorts will be mixed this weekend with March bringing a rise in temperatures, although further snow is expected in some places.

Isola 2000 – There are currently 44 ski slopes and 17 ski lifts open in Isola 2000. Despite rising temperatures in the region this week, there is still plenty of snow at Isola, whilst clear skies throughout the weekend will make for some great skiing conditions. Temperatures will range from 11°C to -1°C before a considerable drop in temperatures and further snowfall early next week. There is a youth skiing tournament taking place from Thursday to Sunday.

Auron – There are currently 35 ski pistes and 18 ski lifts open at the resort, down on last week.  Temperatures are expected to be higher relative to neighbouring resorts with highs of  10°C. Weather conditions throughout the weekend are expected to be mixed. There will be high winds, potentially reaching 61km/h on Friday, and there will a mixture of rain, sun and cloud. In terms of access, Route de la Bonette, Piste de la Moustière, Piste de Demandols and Route de la Lombarde are all closed for the winter season.

Valberg – There are 20 ski slopes and 11 ski lifts open. After the heavy snowfall towards the end of January, there is still 60cm worth of snow at the summit. As it will be at Auron, there will be strong winds at Valberg as well as rain. Temperatures will remain above freezing throughout the weekend with highs of 11°C.

Limone Piemonte – The Italian resort is reporting 28 open runs and 13 ski lifts. The resort’s snow levels were topped up with fresh snowfall falling earlier this month, meaning that in some places there is still up to 120cm of snow. Temperatures are set to soar at the resort, however, and there will be lows of 3°C and a potential high of 16°C. Passage through the Roya valley currently isn’t possible due to the collapsed bridge at Tende. The journey from Monaco is currently approximately three hours by car, although the train line is in operation.

Gréolières-les-Neiges – This popular family resort, which lies less than an hour from the coast, continues to struggle with poor snowfall due to its location at a lower altitude than other south of France ski stations. However, there are still six slopes that will be skiable this weekend, all of which are in close proximity to the village. Consistent with conditions throughout the region, there will be a mixture of sun and cloud, sunshine and rain, whilst temperatures are set to rise as high as 15°C.

Val d’Allos – The resort, which combines Allos, Seigneus and La Foux d’Allos as well as access to Pra-Loup, is still running close to complete capacity, with 22 out of its 27 lifts in operation and 46 out of 64 pistes welcoming skiers, snowboarders and the rest. Temperatures fluctuate from 10°C to -1°C. Consistent with conditions throughout the region, it will be a mixed weekend of weather. There is expected to be fresh snowfall on Friday and Saturday, however, there is also the chance for some rain. Further snow is also expected early next week.

Note: Snow tyres or other suitable equipment must be used on the roads up to the ski resorts.

 

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Photo by Fun Radio Côte d’Azur/Facebook

Water restrictions loom on French Riviera as drought worries intensify

by: Stephanie Horsman
09/03/2023
water restrictions

The French government is on the verge of enforcing water-saving measures on the south of France following a winter with record rain deficits.    

The winter of 2022/23 has been the driest on record in France since 1959, leading to growing concerns from authorities in the Alpes-Maritimes and Var about serious water shortages come summer. The priority now, ahead of warmer months, is what can be done to ease pressures on an already depleted water table.  

French Ecological Transition Minister Christophe Béchu met with a resources committee from the Alpes-Maritimes on Tuesday 7th March. Together they recommended that the department should begin issuing drought alerts by the end of the week. The committee is made up of the key players in the region’s water sector and its role is to monitor the availability of local resources.  

When groundwater tables and river flows drop, they meet to discuss what next steps, if any, should be taken, and in this case, they are leaping into action. Other departments, such as the neighbouring Var, have already been partially placed under drought alerts, and the Alpes-Maritimes will also most likely be joining them. 

“At the end of this week, we should have 12 instead of five departments concerned by vigilance or alert measures,” Christophe Béchu said, adding, “The situation can obviously continue to change.”  

Rainfall totals are 57% below average for this time of year. Last year the Alpes-Maritimes Prefecture issued its first drought-related alerts on 9th March, showing the problem is becoming habitual. Meteo-France reports that all except three months have had rain deficits since August 2021 and that the next three months will be critical to give groundwater supplies chance to bounce back before summer.  

In addition, 62 municipalities on the Côte d’Azur have asked to be classified as natural disaster areas brought on by the drought of 2022.  

Some of the water restrictions that can be expected include prohibiting the filling up of swimming pools and daytime lawn watering.  

READ MORE:

Forecast showers set to end record-breaking month of no rain

  

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Photo source: Ray Ziak for Unsplash

Violinist Maxim Vengerov steps in to replace Daniel Barenboim at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo

by: Elsa Carpenter
09/03/2023
0903 cecilia bartoli maxim vengerov

Daniel Barenboim has sadly had to postpone his sold-out concert at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo this weekend due to ill health, but it’s not all bad news as violinist Maxim Vengerov will perform in his place. 

“Since last year, I have been suffering from a serious illness,” said Barenboim in a statement via the Opéra. “Although my state of health has fortunately greatly improved over the past few weeks, allowing me to resume my activities as a conductor, I regret to inform you that, despite all my efforts, I have not yet acquired muscle strength needed to perform piano recital programmes. It is with great sadness that I cancel my recital in Monaco, but as I continue to work and my health improves, I am determined to return to the Monte-Carlo Opera at the earliest possible opportunity, be that as a pianist or conductor!” 

Barenboim is considered one of the leading pianists and conductors of our age, and had been scheduled to perform Beethoven’s last three piano sonatas on Friday 10th March. 

In his place will now be violinist Maxim Vengerov, who thankfully accepted a last-minute invitation to perform at the behest of the new director of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Cecilia Bartoli. The two are pictured above at a joint concert in 2018.

“I would like to thank Maxim for having accepted our invitation after several years of absence on the stage of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo,” said Bartoli. “Accompanied by the pianist Roustem Saitkoulov, Maxim Vengerov will give a beautiful [and] romantic recital of Beethoven, Franck and Tchaikovsky.” 

 

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Photo credit: Rosey Concert Hall / Stéphane Etter

Monaco’s corporate world falls short in gender equality

by: Stephanie Horsman
08/03/2023
women monaco

On International Women’s Rights Day, Monaco’s statistical agency IMSEE published an information sheet on women and corporate governance in the Principality. It revealed that barely a quarter of top positions are held by women.

Globally, nearly 50% of women have gainful employment in the workforce, and just shy of four in 10 workers are female.  Despite this, a significant gender gap still exists at corporate level.  

On 8th March, recognised as International Women’s Day, IMSEE decided to take a fresh look at the Principality’s track record of women in leadership roles.  

Across the more than 13,500 people listed on Monaco’s Trade and Industry Register as having a governance role, 3,781 of these positions were filled by women in 2022. 

According to IMSEE, 28% of Monaco’s corporate governors are female, 29% of limited liability companies (SARL) have women in charge, 33% of the nation’s sole traders are women, and 22% are in power positions at public limited companies (SAM).  

The average age of women on the Trade and Industry Register is 50.9 years, and 69% of them live in Monaco. They represent 76 different nationalities, with 19% of these enterprising women being Monegasque. French women had the highest proportion outside locals with 31%, and 19% were Italian women.  

Of the 1,053 new businesses created in 2022, over a quarter – 296 – were started by women.  

Regarding the 531 governance roles filled in 2022, 158 went to women and 373 to men. 

Men still hold the dominate number of positions in the higher echelons of the corporate world and, in fact, women are in the minority in all activity sectors, though some sectors see more parity than others.  

The three most “feminised” spheres are: public administration, education, and health and social work activities with 38%. Retail trade comes in at a close 37%, and other service activities at 36%. At the other end of the spectrum, women represent just 19% of those employed in the financial and insurance industries, and 21% in construction, information and communication jobs.  

 

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Photo source: Marissa Grootes for Unsplash

Football: AS Monaco mark International Women’s Day with €1 tickets

by: Luke Entwistle
08/03/2023

To celebrate International Women’s Day, tickets for AS Monaco’s Ligue 1 tie against Stade de Reims on Sunday will cost just €1 for women.

International Women’s Day takes place on 8th March and to celebrate, the Principality’s football club are offering all women tickets for just €1 to watch Sunday afternoon’s game at the Stade Louis II.

The tie will take place at 17:05, with gates to the stadium open from midday. Up to six tickets can be purchased, and will allow fans to access the Premières, Honneurs and Pesages stands within the stadium.

Monaco looking to break Reims’ invincibility streak

Meanwhile, U16s go free to the match, making it an ideal, and extremely cheap day out for families. A difficult fixture awaits Philippe Clement’s men. Reims are on the longest unbeaten run of any side in Europe’s top five divisions, and since the arrival of English-Belgian manager Will Still in September, the side are yet to lose a game.

Monaco, meanwhile, are winless in their last three, and conceded a last minute equaliser against ESTAC Troyes last weekend. Les Monégasques will be counting on their home support to earn them a crucial victory in their push for European football, and will be able to lean on a strong female following on Sunday.

 

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Photo by AS Monaco