AS Monaco Basketball have continued a winning start to the Betclic Elite season, with the reigning champions comfortably dismantling Chalon-sur-Saône on Sunday.
The Roca Team backed up last weekend’s win over Limoges (72-59) with another win on the road against newly-promoted Chalon (68-104).
Sasa Obradovic welcomed Donatas Motiejunas back to the side for the game; the Lithuanian international had been granted extra leave after going deep in the World Cup with the national team. Alongside John Brown III, Motiejunas made it difficult for Chalon to get on the scoreboard and laid the groundwork for a more positive collective display.
Monaco were unthreatened, winning every quarter. Jaron Blossomgame (17 points), Mike James (12 points, four assists) and new signing Petr Cornelie (13 points, 10 rebounds) were particularly influential, allowing Obradovic’s side to always retain a healthy buffer, whilst also helping the team to reach the 100-point mark for the first time this season.
Ouattara: “We know it will be a marathon”
Despite concerns eschewing from a difficult and disrupted pre-season, the Roca Team have picked up where they left off, and with players slowly returning to contention, Monaco will soon be back at full strength. In the meantime, they continue to pick up the wins and, in the words of club captain Yakuba Ouattara, “make an impact”.
“It was very important for us to start the season well. We know it will be a marathon, but it’s essential that we make an impact in these opening matchdays. That will condition what is to come,” said Ouattara in the wake of the 68-104 victory.
Basketball returns to the Principality on Tuesday. Newly-promoted Saint-Quentin visit the Salle Gaston Médecin with the Roca Team already at the top of the tree.
Make sure you’re never left out of the conversation.
At the start of autumn, on Sunday 24th September, the Monaco Mairie and several municipal sites participated in the 28th edition of the European Heritage Days, placed this year under the theme of ‘Living Heritage’.
A large number of Monaco locals, residents from neighbouring towns, and tourists from further abroad passed through the doors of Monaco’s municipal sites for the weekend event.
Among the institutions uniquely opened to the public were the Mairie (town hall), the Académie Rainier III, the Centre Botanique, the Fonds Patrimonial, l’École Supérieure d’Arts Plastiques – Pavillon Bosio and Parc Princesse Antoinette.
In total, 1,093 entries were recorded by the Mairie, “a great success which testifies to the public’s enthusiasm for the events offered in the Principality”, it said in a statement.
The Mairie welcomed 816 visitors alone, who came to discover the Wedding Hall, the Mayor’s Office, and the Court of Honour and to take a souvenir photo in the specially installed photo booth. A large number of people also attended the U Cantin d’A Roca choir concerts performed in the Monegasque language.
Artist Léna Durr’s residency at the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco took her lifelong love of collecting random items and combined it with a 1950s African art collection languishing in the museum to create an illustrated, audio story.
In 2019, the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (NMNM), alongside the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, initiated an artist residency in the Principality’s two colleges, Charles III and the François d’Assise-Nicolas Barré private institution.
After Oriol Vilanova and Guillaume Aubry, it was Léna Durr’s turn between September 2022 and May 2023, and she spent time with two sixth grade classes, inviting students to reflect on what collecting means and how this can be articulated in an artistic practice.
LÉNA DURR
Since childhood, Léna Durr from Toulouse has been a collector of random objects and would use them in her own pieces. She has now parlayed her love of “things” into one of the NMNM’s collections, that of industrialist Georges Jessula’s African Art gathered after World War II.
Image via NMNM
Pieces such as bronze and silver slave bracelets and scales for weighing gold are amongst the 120 objects that are being used as the basis of the exhibit.
“During her digital creation residency, the artist Léna Durr looked at the collection of African art, established in the 1950s by Georges Jessula and donated to the NMNM in 2006… She wanted to reveal it to the public in the form of an audio and illustrated story online,” the NMNM’s website explains. “In her photographs, videos and installations, Léna Durr presents her collection in its most intimate way. Accumulations, repetitions, the worthless objects that she has bought since childhood have constituted the body of her work until now, and that interest (has shifted) to other people’s collections.”
DISPLAYED
The collection was displayed as part of European Heritage Days event at the NMNM, giving a wide audience a chance to see this fascinating collection.
The exhibition was announced on Friday 22nd September, and was also a chance for the government to highlight digital creation workshops in schools, a mediation and creation program offered to students and teachers in the Principality in collaboration with Extended Monaco.
Make sure you’re never left out of the conversation.
AS Monaco were dethroned at the top of Ligue 1 as local rivals OGC Nice netted an injury-time winner (1-0) after Folarin Balogun had missed two penalties.
There was more than local pride on the line at the Stade Louis II on Friday night. Monaco went into the game top, but victory for Nice would have been enough for them to replace their rivals at the summit.
Buoyed by a strong away following, Francesco Farioli’s side started on the front foot, pressing well and winning the ball high. However, they couldn’t convert their dominance into goals, with former Monégasque Sofiane Diop particularly wasteful in front of goal.
Bulka 2-0 Balogun
The first major chance would come Monaco’s way. Aleksandr Golovin latched onto Caio Henrique’s ball over the top, rounded Marcin Bulka and was brought down by Jordan Lotomba. Balogun, who scored his first goal for the Principality club against Lorient last week stepped up but was denied by Marcin Bulka from the spot.
The former Arsenal striker was given a second chance early in the second half. This time it was Takumi Minamino who was brought down, but once again Bulka was equal to Balogun’s effort from the spot. The USMNT striker has now missed three penalties against Nice in just two games.
“He was unlucky today but we win together and we lose together. We have to help him a lot because he is frustrated too […] in the future, he will help us a lot,” reacted Adi Hütter post-match.
The first defeat of the Hütter era
Those misses were then punished in injury time. An improving Nice side, who beat PSG last weekend, were always in the mix and took all three points in the dying moments. Jeremie Boga’s mazy run was not stopped and having made his way into the box, he then blasted past Philipp Köhn.
Boga’s goal clinched it. Nice’s 1-0 win temporarily took them top of Ligue 1 and above Monaco, who suffered their first defeat of the season and of the Hütter era. “We’re frustrated in the end because we should have got the draw. Nice started the game well but we’re frustrated to have missed these two penalties. We should have earned a draw and kept a clean sheet,” said Hütter.
Monaco have the chance to bounce back next week against another Mediterranean rival, Marseille. The Phocéen club are in turmoil and currently managerless, perhaps not the worst time to face a side that were expected to rival PSG for the title.
Make sure you’re never left out of the conversation.
Max Verstappen returned to winning ways in Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, as Red Bull wrapped up the Constructors’ title; Charles Leclerc finished fourth.
One down, one to go. Red Bull secured back-to-back Constructors’ Championships in Japan on Sunday, and in all likelihood, Verstappen will secure a third-consecutive Drivers’ Championship in Qatar in a fortnight’s time.
Verstappen’s record-breaking 10-race winning streak was broken last weekend in Singapore, however, having taken pole on Saturday, he was untroubled on Sunday. Lando Norris, from third of the grid, challenged the reigning world champion at lights out, but Verstappen held the inside line through turn one and two.
Charles Leclerc @ Suzuka: Scuderia Ferrari Press Office.
Unlike in Singapore, it was a largely uneventful race. The top three from lap one remained unchanged with Norris beating teammate Oscar Piastri to second place, but the latter eased to his first podium in Formula 1.
Leclerc had a lonely race and didn’t experience much wheel-to-wheel action, although a timely and impressive overtake on George Russell, who tried and failed to pull off a one-stop race, allowed him to comfortably secure fourth place. The British driver was also overtaken by teammate Lewis Hamilton (5th) and last week’s race-winner Carlos Sainz (6th) on his way to a 7th place finish.
“4th was the best result we could have achieved” – Leclerc
Having won in Singapore, Ferrari came back down to Earth in Suzuka. The Italian constructor’s upgrades worked well at the Marina Bay Circuit, however, they found themselves behind McLaren in Japan. “P4 was the best result we could have achieved. For a moment, I asked myself if we could pass the McLarens, but in the end, Lando and Oscar pushed an built the gap,” evaluated Leclerc post-race.
However, there was no getting near the Red Bull this weekend, and despite Sergio Perez’s retirement, the team’s first of the season, they wrapped up back-to-back titles. There will likely be further celebrations in Qatar in early October, perhaps even as early as Saturday’s sprint race, with Verstappen only needing to avoid being outscored by his teammate by more than six points.
Make sure you’re never left out of the conversation.
With less than a week to go until the world’s highest profile yacht show kicks off in Port Hercule, Monaco Life takes a closer look at some of the most exciting vessels expected at MYS 2023.
From Wednesday 27th to Saturday 30th September, the Monaco Yacht Show will be the main focus of the Principality.
It’s easily one of the biggest international events of the year to be held here, with tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world flocking to Port Hercule to discover the biggest and best superyachts on the market for sale or charter, not to forget those still in development.
Between the harbour and the waters just off the coast, more than 130 yachts of the highest calibre are expected to make an appearance. The fleet averages 50 metres in length, but there will be several examples nearly touching the 100-metre mark this year. Here are some of the most hotly-tipped vessels, as well as a mention of an interesting new category…
PHOENIX 2
After the sale of the 95-metre Kismet earlier this month – a good sign going into one of the major meeting opportunities between buyers and brokers – Cecil Wright’s leading yacht will now be the immense Phoenix 2 from Lürssen. It’s a joint central agency venture, between Cecil Wright and Burgess, and this incredible 90-metre is being listed for €124,950,000.
Delivered in 2010, but refitted in 2019, she can accommodate 14 guests across seven luxury cabins. The owner’s suite features a private observation lounge and upper deck, while almost all guest cabins benefit from owner-quality finishings, from marble baths and showers to walk-in wardrobes.
Other stop-you-in-your-tracks features include a gilt Steinway grand piano, an Art Déco-inspired “ballroom”, a cinema, a winter garden with climate control, a beach club and an onboard beauty salon with hammam. That’s not forgetting the seven-metre oval pool, two jacuzzis and two helipads.
Phoenix 2 is replacing Kismet after a last-minute sale earlier this month
SYNTHESIS 66
This classic Feadship, which was built back in 1982, is actually the oldest yacht to feature at MYS this year. She measures just shy of 42 metres and is fresh from a considerable three-year build and renovation overseen by Boutsen Monaco at Monaco Marine. The yacht is now back into Lloyd’s classification and pairs all the luxury amenities a 21st century yacht guest expects with original elements, such as the stunning woodwork.
The new and revamped outdoor spaces reign on Synthesis 66, from the jacuzzi to the alfresco dining facilities and a generous bar. The yacht can comfortably accommodate up to 10 guests across five cabins.
She is being listed by Northrop & Johnson for €23,000,000.
Synthesis 66, a classic Feadship listed by Northrop & Johnson
CARINTHIA VII
Next up is the biggest yacht confirmed to be appearing at MYS 2023 by our count: Carinthia VII. “Biggest” doesn’t really cover it, though, as at 97 metres, she is absolutely vast. The vessel spans six decks, weighs over 3,600 gross tonnes and offers interior/exterior volume that not many other superyachts in the world can match.
She can accommodate 14 guests across eight staterooms, which, thanks to the top-quality Tim Heywood design, are astounding in proportion. Among the many glamourous features of the vessel are a fully-equipped spa and two elegant bars, including one with a teppanyaki specialty. There’s also a gym, a cinema, a club lounge for intimate get-togethers and a truly magnificent 12-metre pool.
Charter rates for this epic yacht start at €1,400,000 per week with brokerage Frasers.
The 97-metre Carinthia VII
CATAMARANS
Less of an individual listing and more of an extremely exciting group… Let’s talk a bit about the new build catamarans shaking up the traditional yachting industry that will be showcased this year at MYS.
There are five currently listed: 80 Sunreef Power Eco and Sunreef 80 Eco from Sunreef Yachts, Art Explorer and This Is It from the Italian Sea Group-Perini Navi, and BGM75 from Bluegame.
The first three of these five fascinating vessels play well to the demands of the emerging category of eco-responsible owners, with innovative features such as built-in solar panels.
Sunreef 80 Eco, for example, is an all-electric, fully-autonomous craft “using revolutionary green tech for fuel-free cruising in total silence and luxury”. Art Explorer, meanwhile, is the world’s largest sailing catamaran, measuring an impressive 46.5 metres in length with a width of 17.30 metres and a 50-metre mast. A concept yacht, it will be at MYS on exhibit, a role that it suits well as the idea is that the vessel will host virtual exhibitions on its flybridge, while the central part will house a gallery for the inaugural “digital” exhibition ‘Icons’ on women in the Mediterranean.
Sunreef 80 Eco from Sunreef Yachts
DESTINATION
And finally is one of only eight sailing yachts to feature at the show: Destination. According to Northrop & Johnson, which is listing Destination for €12,400,000, the yacht is a “tried and true world cruiser built for voyages from the tropics to the polar climates”.
“She is in immaculate condition courtesy of a meticulous maintenance schedule, generous budget and loving care from two owners and one main captain that has been with her for most of her life [Destination was built in 2003],” continues a spokesperson for the brokerage, which has an office in Monaco.
Sleek on the outside and timeless on the inside, Destination has received careful updates over the years in terms of décor and upgrades to optimise the sailing and leisure experiences of guests.
The 41-metre yacht can house up to eight guests in four beautifully-appointed cabins, each impeccably styled with natural materials, such as high-quality linens and silk.
Sail yacht Destination, listed by Northrop & Johnson
For the full list of yachts on sale or available for charter at MYS 2023, please click here.
