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Month: September 2023

New-look Cap d’Ail triathlon to return for 21st edition

by: Luke Entwistle
11/09/2023

The 21st edition of the Cap d’Ail Triathlon, which will take place later this month, will look a little different this time round as the distances for the three disciplines have been doubled. Here’s everything you need to know. 

The Cap d’Ail Triathlon is therefore no longer taking place in its original ‘sprint’ format, but in the Olympic format, allowing participants to experience something that resembles the test faced by Olympic athletes, just months before the 2024 Games in Paris.

The race will now begin with a 1.5km swim at the Plage Marquet then it’s on to a 40km bike ride, taking the 250 participants along the Basse Corniche and onto the Moyenne Corniche, before descending once again onto the Basse via St. Laurent d’Èze. To finish off, there will be a 10km run, tracing the coastal path all the way up to the Monaco border.

“The Cap d’Ail Triathlon is very popular with the region’s athletes”

The event brings together 250 athletes, including 50 youths, who will compete in the shortened ‘Animathlon’, which entails a 100m swim followed by a 400m run. This event is open to kids between the ages of eight and 12.

“The Cap d’Ail Triathlon is very popular with the region’s athletes, as well as Italian athletes, and for the past few years has seen 250 competitors participate. This challenge is a sporting showcase for our town, labelled since 2016 as an ‘Active and Sporting Town’,” said the mayor of Cap d’Ail, Xavier Beck.

Registration for the event, which will take place on Sunday 17th September, closed at the beginning of the summer, but it is still possible to sign up for the waiting list either by phoning +33493789640 or by emailing sport@cap-dail.fr.

 

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Photo source: Mairie de Cap d’Ail

Sotheby’s unveils treasures from the most important Viennese Imperial and Royal jewellery collection ever to come to auction

by: Cassandra Tanti
11/09/2023

This November, Sotheby’s will present ‘Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection’’, the most important and largest Viennese Imperial and Royal Jewellery collection ever to come to auction.

With provenance from all the most prominent European royal houses linked to the Austrian Habsburg dynasty, the auction will offer an extraordinary jewellery journey through the lives of Central Europe’s most influential ruling families across the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Comprising over 200 pieces, the collection will be resurfaced for the first time in nearly a century, astonishingly pristine and with all its pieces in their original design, having only been recently discovered hidden away in a bank vault.

Carrying an estimate of €3 to €5 million, this extraordinary single owner collection will be offered in two dedicated auctions on 6th and 7th November, alongside the Magnificent Jewels sale taking place on 8th November during Sotheby’s Luxury Week in Geneva. Before the auction dates, the collection will be exhibited at Sotheby’s locations around the world: New York, Cologne, Paris, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Dubai, Taipei and London.

Natural pearl and diamond devant de corsage circa 1865 estimate, chf 270,000-450,000.

Sotheby’s has worked in collaboration with the Philipp Württemberg Art Advisory GmbH to bring this collection to auction.

“This collection is arguably the most important Noble Jewels auction since the landmark sale of the Royal Jewels from the Bourbon Parma Family held by Sotheby’s in Geneva four years ago. The collection is truly exceptional, boasting a unique combination of magnificent ceremonial court jewels, as well as important assemblage of men’s dress accessories, cigarette cases and objets de vertu,” said Andres White Correal, Deputy Chairman and Jewellery Senior Director, Sotheby’s. “Presented together, their superior craftsmanship and exquisite design brilliantly showcases the style and grandeur of the Habsburg court and permit us a rich glimpse into the private lives of these European ruling Houses.”

Ruby and diamond necklace Kochert circa 1890-1895, estimate chf 110,000-160,000

Sale Highlights

Following the fall of the monarchy in France, Vienna saw its rapid rise as the ultimate royal and imperial court in Europe, welcoming royal families from across the continent.

The collection fascinatingly depicts the grandeur of Viennese court life and affords a wonderful insight into the alliances, the tastes and styles of the Houses of Habsburg, Bourbon Parma, Bourbon-Two Sicillies and Saxe-Coburg-Gotha when they were setting fashion trends at the Court that radiated across Europe from early 19th century and for the next 100 years. The collection features outstanding jewels from the collections of Archduchess Margarete Sophie of Austria (1870-1902), Archduchess Maria Immaculata of Austria-Tuscany (1878-1968) and Archduchess Marie Therese of Austria-Teschen (1845-1927) as well as of Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria (1861-1948) and Princess Marie Louise of Bourbon-Parma (1870-1899).

Natural pearl and diamond necklace attributed to Kochert, late 19th century, estimate chf 140,000-220,000.

Fashions at the Viennese court were dictated by Emperor Franz Joseph (1830-1916) and his legendary consort Empress Elisabeth (1837-1898), best remembered by her nickname ‘Sissi’ and her famed beauty. When German court portrait artist Franz Xaver Winterhalter immortalised Sissi in 1865, wearing an arrangement of star-shaped diamond jewels in her elaborate hairdo, she started a trend for versatile star-shaped jewellery that lasted all through the late 19th century. The sale features a charming suite of three diamond stars which can be worn alternatively as brooches, hairpins or on a tiara frame.

Natural pearls reigned supreme during the 19th century. The collection is led by an extraordinary corsage ornament designed as a garland supporting exceptional natural pearls. It was presented to Archduchess Marie Therese of Austria-Teschen (1845-1927) as a wedding gift in 1865. This is without a doubt the most significant 19th century jewel to come to auction in recent years. Other highlights include an important brooch featuring a button- and drop-shaped natural pearl, a natural pearl and diamond tiara by Köchert and a five-strand natural pearl necklace.

By Monaco Life with press release. All images supplied by Sotheby’s.

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Featured photo: Natural pearl and diamond tiara, Kochert, circa 1900 estimate chf 270,000-450,000.

Young dancers from around the world flocking to Monaco’s Académie Princesse Grace

by: Stephanie Horsman
11/09/2023
Académie Princesse Grace

Almost 50 young dancers from 17 different countries have come to the Principality and its Académie Princesse Grace this year hoping to hone their skills as the ballet stars of tomorrow. 

Every year since 1975, joinging the Académie Princesse Grace, the competitive and highly respected dance school created by Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III, has been a dream of many young ballet dancers looking to improve and polish their art as well as gain an excellent education.  

For the 2023-24 academic year, starting on 11th September, this dream will be realised by 47 pupils from around the world aged 13 to 18 and representing 17 nationalities.  

CURRICULUM 

The school, led by Artistic Director Luca Masala, hosts students for four to five years and offers classical and contemporary dance classes, composition courses and Pilates along with History of Dance and a traditional school education, which is done online under the supervision of Valérie Projetti.  

For this new intake, the first public performance of the season will take place in November at L’Atelier des Ballets de Monte-Carlo. 

Académie Princesse Grace
Dancers from the Académie Princesse Grace. Photo credit: Alice Blangero

FORMER STUDENTS 

The Académie Princesse Grace habitually produces the names of the future in the dance world; last year, seven of its alumni went on to join international companies after graduation.  

Alisa Garkavenko went to the Birmingham Royal Ballet, Yui Hakamada joined the Tulsa Ballet in the US, Zane Smith-Taylor found his place in the Royal Swedish Ballet, Anna Sheleg joined Norwegian National Ballet 2, Antony Tcherny went on to the Stuttgart Ballet, and Elliana Mannella and Luca Branca both found new homes at the Staatstheater Nürnberg Ballett.  

STELLAR INSTRUCTORS 

The dance courses are provided by a teaching team made up of six respected figures: Lisa Jones, Carsten Jung, Thierry Sette, Roland Vogel, Olivier Lucea and Gioia Masala. 

The students will also receive outside tutelage from guest teachers and choreographers invited throughout the year, such as Stefanie Arndt, Eugenio Buratti, Yannick Boquin, Grigory Chicherin, Lucia Geppi, Yoko Ichino, Elias Lazaridis, Sara Lourenco, Goyo Montero, Michel Rahn and Marc Ribaud. 

To end the year, the Académie puts on an annual gala. The next edition of the popular show is already scheduled for 21st and 22nd June 2024 at the Salle Garnier of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo. 

 

 

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Photo credit: Alice Blangero

Photos: Monaco’s Princely family celebrates U Cavagnëtu

by: Stephanie Horsman
11/09/2023

An event exclusively reserved for Monegasques and their families, this year’s U Cavagnëtu picnic at the Parc Princesse Antoinette saw nearly 1,000 people turn out and join Prince Albert II and his family in celebrating a special day.  

Every year, the Principality celebrates the end of the summer season with a big family-friendly party. Called the U Cavagnëtu picnic, it’s a day filled with fun and camaraderie for Monegasque citizens, and where appearances by the Prince and Princess are always a highlight. 

This year, Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene, Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella were joined by other members of the reigning Grimaldi family for the festivities on Saturday 9th September. The crowd swelled to about a thousand locals of all generations, up considerably from 600 the previous year.  

Long-time Mayor Georges Marsan and many other politicians and dignitaries from the Principality were also on hand to mark the annual occasion.   

ORDER OF THE DAY

The picnic event was opened in a traditional manner, with flowers and an entertaining welcome by the Palladienne dancers of Monaco’s local folk music and dancing group, followed by an open-air mass given by Monsignor Dominique-Marie David, after which the Monegasque national hymn was performed by the U Cantin d’A Roca choir. 

The Prince and his family then gathered with the locals to enjoy an aperitif of delicious local specialties such as socca, tourte and pissaladière, with a barbeque feast afterwards. The Mairie provided traditional Monegasque fougasse and other delicacies, as well as ice cream for those who like a cooling treat after their meal.  

Many opted to bring their own “cavagnëtu” – a picnic basket – to add to the mix of treats on offer, which included the Dolceacqua favourite of fresciœi di baccalà or cod fritters to mark the upcoming twinning of the Principality with the Ligurian town in November.  

Musical entertainment was provided as well, with a jazz quartet headed up by Lionel Vaudano, a professor at the Rainier III Academy, as well as singing by the choir of U Cantin d’A Roca. 

Click on the images below to see more from the special day…

 

 

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Photo credits: Éric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco

Morocco earthquake: Prince Albert II sends condolences as death toll surpasses 2,000

by: Stephanie Horsman
11/09/2023

Over 2,100 people are confirmed to have died and many more thousands are injured after a violent earthquake hit Morocco’s Atlas Mountain region last Friday. Aid and condolences continue to pour in, including touching words from Prince Albert II.  

A powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Morocco’s Atlas mountains, just 70 kilometres south of Marrakech, on Friday 8th September. The quake has left a devastating body count in its wake, which currently sits at over 2,100, although that is expected to rise.  

In addition to those killed, thousands have been injured. Mercifully, some people are still being pulled from the rubble alive, but countless have been left homeless and frightened with no choice but to sleep in open spaces for the fear of aftershocks that could crumble structures already in a precarious state.  

DESTRUCTION EVERYWHERE 

It has been reported entire villages in the Atlas range, where houses are traditionally built using nothing more than mud bricks, have been levelled, and that Marrakech’s ancient medina and other historic sites have suffered serious damage.  

CO-ORDINATED AID 

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has reacted to the deadliest earthquake in his country since the 1960 Agadir quake, which killed 12,000, with three days of mourning and public words of thanks to the countries who have rushed in to offer assistance. 

“The Moroccan authorities conducted a careful assessment of the needs in the field, taking into account that a lack of coordination in such cases would be counterproductive. On this basis, the Moroccan authorities responded, at this particular stage, to the offers of support made by the friendly countries of Spain, Qatar, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, which suggested mobilising a group of search and rescue teams,” said the King via state-run broadcasters Al Aoula on Sunday 10th September.  

Additional sources of assistance may be added to rescue efforts as time goes on, with French President Emmanuel Macron saying he will send aid “the second” Morocco asks for it. 

Inside the country, civil protection units have been deployed to ensure basics such as food, water, blankets and tents are dispatched to affected areas. These groups have also been tasked with the job of increasing blood bank supplies to help the injured.  

PRINCE ALBERT II OF MONACO’S REACTION 

Prince Albert II wrote to his Moroccan contemporary the day following the disaster: 

“It is with deep emotion and deep sadness that I learned of the tragedy affecting the friendly Moroccan people following the powerful earthquake which struck your country last night and which claimed many victims. In these painful times, allow me to send you, on behalf of the Principality of Monaco and my family, my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones the victims. 

Our thoughts and prayers also go out to the emergency services and to those assisting the injured. 

Rest assured, Your Majesty, of our deep solidarity during this difficult ordeal.” 

DONATIONS 

The International Red Cross has said it could be years before the damage caused by the quake is repaired, leaving an already vulnerable populace in the balance and a country only just coming out of the economic woes of the pandemic in a critical state.  

Locally, the Monegasque Red Cross, headed up by Prince Albert, has launched an appeal for contributions via its website: www.croix-rouge.mc.  

 

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Photo by Stephanie Horsman, Monaco Life

 

British born Sam Laidlow wins Ironman World Championship in Nice

by: Luke Entwistle
11/09/2023
Sam Laidlow after being crowned Ironman World Champion in Nice.

In the first edition of the Ironman World Championship to be held in Nice, 24-year-old Sam Laidlow took the victory on the Promenade des Anglais.

It was always going to be a historic day in Nice, with the Ironman World Championship coming to the Côte d’Azur for the first time. However, it was an extra special day for the thousands of fans that lined the Promenade des Anglais for the blockbuster event, with a first-ever French winner, albeit a British born one, being crowned on French soil.

Laidlow, who last year narrowly missed out on becoming champion, finishing second after having led for much of the race, pulled off a perfect performance. And just like last year in Kona, Hawaii, Laidlow, who was born in England but grew up in France from the age of three, made his lead on the bike.

After a strong swim, Laidlow then took the lead at the 70km mark, as the competitors made their way into the picturesque Niçois hinterland. Neither Magnus Ditlev nor Rudy von Berg could get close to Laidlow prior to his dismounting on the Promenade des Anglais for the marathon.

The major threat wasn’t posed by Ditlev nor von Berg, as the competitors set off on laps of the Promenade des Anglais. German Patrick Lange, arguably the most proficient runner, was coming from far back but was always in with a shot.

Laidlow – from Covid to Ironman World Champion in three weeks

He caught von Berg and Ditlev, but couldn’t catch Laidlow, who took a comfortable victory in a time of 8:06:22, beating the Nice course record, which was set by Van Lierd back in 2013 (8:08:59). Lange finished just under four minutes later in second, ahead of Ditlev.

Laidlow’s achievement is even more impressive when situated within the context of his Covid diagnosis just three weeks before the event. The illness severely impacted his preparations for this year’s edition.

“It has been a rocky season, with injury and COVID-19 two-and-a-half weeks ago. Sometimes it happens when you least expect it and I think I came here fresher than a lot of people, with just two weeks of work behind me,” said Laidlow.

He added, “I keep saying it, but I just don’t believe it, it’s the stuff I’ve dreamt of my whole life […] On the run, I felt like I was only running 35km because every time I came past these crowds, the adrenaline was absolutely crazy, there has never been a French World Champion and I hope this will be the first of many.”

 

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Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life