The family of AS Monaco majority shareholder Dmitry Rybolovlev has confirmed that the Russian billionaire is looking at “strategic alternatives” for the club.
Following reports by French newspaper Les Echoes on Sunday that Dmitry Rybolovlev is open to selling the club, a statement was released on Monday confirming that the Monaco-resident – one of the few Russian tycoons who is not under sanctions as he left the country decades ago – has hired an advisory firm to study the possibility of a sale of his controlling stake in AS Monaco football club amid interest from potential buyers.
The statement, obtained by Monaco Life from colleagues at Get French Football News, says “The majority shareholder of AS Monaco has decided to commence a process to explore strategic alternatives for its stake in the Club after receiving unsolicited inbound interest. The majority shareholder has retained The Raine Group to serve as its exclusive financial advisor on this matter. Raine has significant experience working with the world’s biggest football clubs on a range of assignments.”
The statement continues: “There can be no assurances that the strategic review will result in any transaction involving the Club and we do not intend to make any further announcements regarding the strategic review at this time.”
Rybolovlev acquired a 66% share in second-tier AS Monaco in 2011 and pledged to invest at least €100 million. Under his ownership, the Monegasque club rose to win a Ligue 1 title in 2016/17 and reach the UEFA Champions League semi-final that same period.
He also financed the club’s new training centre in La Turbie to the tune of €55 million.
Rybolovlev reportedly received at least two takeover proposals last year, possibly American.
The Roca Team closed last week with back-to-back victories in the Salle Gaston Médecin that helped the side regain some traction in the EuroLeague and cement its status at the top of the Betclic Elite standings.
Just days after an away win against Paris, AS Monaco Basket were back on their home court in the Salle Gaston Médecin on 19th January for a battle against Real Madrid, a side that had, until that point, only lost two EuroLeague games in the entire season.
The hype before the game was worth it and fans on both sides were gripped from the very start, but it was the Roca Team who were clearly the best team on the court. They served up an “XXL performance” that ended with the scorecard reading 98-74.
“It’s one of our best matches we’ve had this season,” said AS Monaco manager Sasa Obradovic post-game. “Everyone as a team participated in this success. As soon as I called players to the bench, they were ready. I am really happy with this tremendous collective victory. The support of the supporters counted and it did us good. Mike James is having the best season of his life. He is currently the best in the EuroLeague at his position.”
The praise for James was well-deserved; the American point guard contributed 15 points, six rebounds and 12 assists alone.
REIGNING SUPREME IN THE BETCLIC ELITE
Two days later and on the same home court, AS Monaco returned with the same power and energy to take a second win (78-74), this time against Le Mans.
The victory was part luck and the home side did come close to defeat on a number of occasions.
In the end, it came down to the very last minute and the recently reinstated Élie Okobo, who helped Monaco on their way to the victory as the fans counted down.
“There were some wasted shots,” said Okobo post-game, “but we knew how to stay focused when we needed to. It wasn’t easy. Defensively we did a good job in the last quarter, Terry [Tarpey] was able to finish the job with this last interception. This balance between the Betclic Elite and EuroLeague matches is never easy, but we must remember the victory, that is the most important thing.”
The team now have almost a full week to recover ahead of games against Anadolu Efes S.K. in Instabul on 26th January and then French side Élan Chalon at home on 28th January.
Throughout this week, fans and aficionados of the circus and circus arts will be able to explore a unique collection of paintings, sculptures and objets d’art belonging to Patrick and Krinou Hourdequin ahead of a grand auction on Thursday.
Amassed during the lifetimes of Patrick and Krinou Hourdequin, who shared an “unfailing commitment to the circus arts”, this extraordinary collection of items is a compendium of art works in all shapes and forms that is united by their treasured theme of the circus.
From souvenirs and trinkets to musical instruments from circus days gone by, the Hourdequin Collection is the fruit of an enduring love for and appreciation of the circus, which allowed the couple to develop close ties to the Principality.
It thus seems only right that the auction be held in Monaco and it is set to take place on Thursday 25th January at the Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo on the Quai Antoine 1er at 2.30pm.
There will be public showings of the 300 lots from Monday 22nd to Wednesday 24th January from 10am to 1pm and again from 2pm to 6pm.
To view the collection catalogue online, click here.
The Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo and Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, two of Monaco’s most famous hotels and the jewels in Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer’s portfolio, have made it onto Travel + Leisure’s 2024 shortlist for the World’s Best Awards.
Every year, the online and print Travel + Leisure magazine asks its readers to vote for their favourite experiences in its World’s Best Awards survey. From hotels and resorts to cities and even specific islands, the rankings honour the finest in the travel and hospitality industries.
In the 2024, two of Monaco’s most emblematic addresses have made the prestigious cut: the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo and Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, both of which are run by Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM).
The hotels also featured in last year’s list, but failed to make the Top 10. In 2023, the top spot was clinched by the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet, closely followed by the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus. In third and fourth place were the Parisian Hôtel Plaza Athénée and Hôtel de Crillon. Madrid’s Rosewood Villa Magna ranked fifth, while the sixth position was taken by Rome’s Hotel de Russie. London’s Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park claimed the seventh spot, followed by One Aldwych, also in the English capital. Ninth place went to the Four Seasons Hotel Milano in Milan and the Top 10 was rounded out by the Shangri-La The Shard in London.
To give your vote to one or both of these Monaco icons in 2024, click here. There are some great prizes available to those who take part, but these are unfortunately only available to US-based participants. Voting closes on 26th February and the winners will be announced in Travel + Leisure’s August 2024 issue.
A never-before-seen event will be coming to Monaco in the next few weeks or months: an ecological hot air balloon chase that will see 10 international teams hunt down a red and white bedecked montgolfière from the forecourt of the Palais Princier and across the southern Italian Alps to Piedmont.
Called the Prince Albert II Cup, the race is set to take place sometime between 1st February and 30th April.
When the conditions are right, a balloon decorated in the signature red and white of the Principality and piloted by Alain Cruteanschii, the president of the Aeronauts of Monaco club that is behind the event, will take off from the Place du Palais on the Rock, marking the start of the race.
Then, from strategic locations dotted around the Principality, a further 10 balloons piloted by teams from a total of six nationalities will take to the air and begin their chase of the so-called “fox”.
Reaching to spectacular heights of 6,000 metres, the ecological hot air balloons will trace a course above the southern Italian Alps in pursuit of the leader and make for a landing zone on the other side of the French-Italian border in Piedmont.
The race will take place between Monaco and Piedmont, via the southern Italian Alps. Photo credit: F. Ducommun
With the support and backing of Prince Albert II of Monaco
“The idea was born five years ago, when we imagined the creation of an ecological hot air balloon in the colours of Monaco,” says Cruteanschii. “This dream has since become a reality, thanks in particular to the contribution of the Marzocco Group. The Aeronauts of Monaco then presented it to Prince Albert, who was delighted with the initiative. It’s a privilege to have his personal support, as well as that of his foundation.”
The reason a specific date for the event hasn’t yet been set – and won’t be until a few days in advance – is that the safe and successful flights of the 11 hot air balloons depends heavily on the weather. The person in charge of “finding the right moment” is Wim de Troyer.
“The weather will determine everything. Rather calm and dry weather with few clouds will be favourable to the smooth running of operations,” says the official meteorologist for the Prince Albert II Cup. “In the window of opportunity we’re looking for, there should be little wind on the ground so that set-up and take-off go smoothly. The currents will then have to carry the pilots towards the Italian Alps, before they begin their crossing. To make progress in this crucial stage of the route, a relatively strong wind at high altitude will be a necessity… This will finally allow Alain [Cruteanschii] to calmly control the race and reach a place that he will define as favourable for a safe landing.”
It is estimated that it will take between three and four hours to complete the journey on board the eco crafts.
Monaco Next Generation Project
What makes each of the hot air balloons involved in the race ecological is that they feature a “double envelope”, which is the term used to describe the balloon-shaped section of a craft. This change in the design of hot air balloons has been pioneered by the members of the Aeronauts of Monaco under their Monaco Next Generation Project.
Alain Cruteanschii, the president of the Aeronauts of Monaco, is pictured front right while his son Alix is front left. Photo courtesy of the Aeronauts of Monaco
“This reduces heat loss and saves up to 70% on fuel,” explains Cruteanschii. “The ‘light’ nacelle, made from titanium and composite materials, weighs almost 100kg less than if it were made from conventional wicker. The club’s partner, Romano Energy Monaco, will also be supplying us with biopropane produced by catalysing waste. This revolutionary fuel reduces our CO2 emissions by more than 60%.”
Another nod to the “Next Generation” element is that Cruteanschii will be flying with his son, Alix, and many of the other teams set to participate in the race are said to be “father-son or father-daughter pairs”.
René Blino, a man with an extensive background in France’s luxury hotel sector, is set to make his mark on the Monaco scene following his appointment to the role of Director General at Monte-Carlo Beach.
After more than 20 years at the helm of Monte-Carlo Beach, Danièle Garcelon has retired from the hotel industry, leaving the top spot open for her successor to launch a new era at the iconic seafront resort.
That challenge will go to René Blino, who has been confirmed as the new Director General of Société des Bains de Mer’s (SBM) Monte-Carlo Beach as of 15th January.
Blino’s background was originally in retail, but he shifted to the hospitality industry 15 years ago. His most recent role was as General Manager of Madame Rêve Hotel in Paris, a five-star establishment known for its double Michelin-starred restaurant under Chef Stéphanie Le Quellec. His career has also included tenures at Hôtel Barrière les Neiges in Courchevel and Hôtel Barrière Le Gray d’Albion in Cannes.
As such, he brings to the table a variety of expertise in fields including human resources, accommodation, food and beverage, and hotel management, having also worked with the Shangri-La Group in multiple cities.
“I am very happy to welcome René Blino, who is the right person to write a new chapter in the legendary history of Monte-Carlo Beach, and more broadly, our Group’s seaside resort,” says Stéphane Valeri, President-Delegate of Monte-Carlo SBM.
An April reopening
The hotel at Monte-Carlo Beach will reopen for the season on 5th April 2024, followed on 12th April by the beach club zone.
Monte-Carlo Beach is to have a new leader after more than 20 years in the care of Danièle Garcelon. Photo credit: Monte-Carlo SBM
