E1 World Championship sets date for electrifying return to Monaco

12/11/2024

The date has been revealed for the next edition of the electrifying UIM E1 World Championship in Monaco, an innovative new water race boasting celebrity-led teams and an energising commitment to sustainability.

Following its successful debut this year, the UIM E1 World Championship is gearing up for its second season of racing, on Friday unveiling event locations across multiple continents that will host the RaceBirds and their celebrity-led teams from January 2025.

New audiences around the globe will witness the thrilling on-water action for the first time, as the championship welcomes new race locations next season, including a race in the United States alongside the Visit Qatar E1 Doha GP announced last month, with more to be revealed shortly. The calendar also includes a return to season-one locations Monaco – from 18th to 19th July, Jeddah – opening the season on 24th and 25th January, and Lake Como – on 22nd and 23rd August.

*The inaugural edition at Lake Como. Photo credit: Francois Asal, Spacesuit Media*

“To see our revolutionary electric racing series come to life in season one was an incredibly special feeling,” said Rodi Basso, Co-Founder and CEO of E1, in a statement. “E1’s growth and expansion across the globe shows that it has arrived as a truly global sport. The inclusion of new race locations in Qatar and the United States in season two, with more to come, is a testament to the growing interest and investment in the championship and we are looking forward to taking the sport to new audiences.”

The inaugural season wrapped up with NFL legend Tom Brady’s Team Brady being crowned Champions of the Water ahead of the Will Smith-owned Westbrook Racing and Marc Anthony’s Team Miami powered by Magnus.

The season finale will see the new Champions of the Water crowned in a major American city that will be revealed next month.

“Our mission in season one was to revolutionise and set a new standard for racing on the water,” said Alejandro Agag, Co-Founder and Chairman of E1. “We are pleased to unveil the season two calendar and to continue to drive towards our mission and expand on this success.”

The championship is part of the Electric 360 partnership created by PIF, which focuses on the future of electric mobility and includes partnerships across E1, Formula E and Extreme E. It’s mission is to redefine the future of electric racing and drive technological innovation, while leading the way in carbon reduction throughout 2025 and beyond.

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

Menton’s new beach clubs outraged over forced winter closure

by: Stephanie Horsman

12/11/2024

Beach clubs in Menton hoping for an exemption from seasonal closure regulations have been ordered to dismantle their infrastructure for winter after the Prefecture denied their request to remain open year-round. Despite backing from the local Mairie, the Prefecture’s decision has left beach club owners scrambling to disassemble structures, all whilst fretting over potential financial hardship.

The news was received on 5^th November at a town council meeting and Mayor Yves Juhel expressed his disappointment afterwards, telling France 3 Côte d’Azur, “It’s a big disappointment for the beach clubs who invested a lot of money; it is a big disappointment for the mayor and the people of Menton, because these were places that were starting to take off.”

The Prefecture cited a lack of sufficient storm protection as their reasoning behind the forced closures.

TURMOIL FOR OWNERS

The timing has thrown the beach clubs into turmoil. After a shortened summer season that started in mid-July, many had hoped that year-round operations would sustain them financially.

“If I stay open year-round, I’m counting on a turnover of €1.3 million, and that would allow me to keep the staff, pay my rent, my loans…” Fernando Usai, manager of La Pergola, told France 3 Côte d’Azur.

The bigger issue may be staffing woes, as the beach clubs claim they had the Mairie’s assurance they would be allowed to remain open. Many hired additional permanent and temporary staff that they will now struggle to pay.

Additionally, they say they dismantling services they rely on are now unavailable until January or later.

“Our company specialising in the dismantling of pergolas is not available before January,” said Fabio Gambarino, manager of the Sablettes Beach Club to France 3 Côte d’Azur. “So we will dismantle in January a structure that will have to be reassembled in March, at a cost of around €30,000?”

Several managers have asked the Prefecture to permit a partial, rather than full, dismantling of their facilities to ease some of the pressure, but it will take time to see if the request is granted.

BLAME GAME

Meanwhile, the club owners accuse the municipality of having delayed its request for an exemption from the Prefecture. Mayor Juhel denies this, insisting that the primary issue is safety, as the seawall at Sablettes Beach has not yet been fully completed to protect the area.

As an olive branch, the Mairie has offered to provide municipal storage for equipment and is exploring possible financial support. Construction on the seawall is set to begin early next year, but in the meantime, beach club owners are left to navigate the challenges posed by the seasonal closure. The prefecture has reportedly yet to provide an explanation for the timing of its decision.

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

Photo Credit: Diego DB

Prince Albert II Foundation launches partnership with Vendée Globe Foundation to champion ocean conservation

by: Stephanie Horsman

12/11/2024

With an eye to ocean protection and conservation, the Prince Albert II Foundation and the newly formed Vendée Globe Foundation signed a partnership just two days ahead of the gruelling around the world sailing race’s official start.

Competitors in the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe around the world solo race set sail on 10^th November to much fanfare in the French coastal town of Les Sables-d’Olonne. Amongst these was Boris Hermann, the German skipper sailing the Monaco-based Malizia Seaexplorer who is hoping to improve on his fifth-place finish and nab the top spot.

Though the race’s start was a highlight of the weekend, another big event took place just two days prior on 8^th November as the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2) and the newly formed Vendée Globe Foundation signed a partnership agreement dedicated to ocean protection and conservation.

Present were Prince Albert II, who alongside Alain Leboeuf, President of the Vendée Departmental Council and the Vendée Globe, Gilles Sallé, President of the Vendée Globe Foundation and Founding President of AMP Visual TV, and Olivier Wenden, Vice-President of FPA2, emphasised the significance of this partnership in advancing scientific efforts to understand and protect marine ecosystems.

The collaboration aims to harness the event’s momentum to promote sustainable ocean stewardship and encourage environmentally responsible behaviours.

*Prince Albert II with Olivier Wenden (far right) and members of the newly formed Vendee Globe Foundation. Photo credit: Axel Bastello / Palais Princier*

It will also facilitate the involvement of a Vendée Globe skipper in the Young Leaders Programme, creating a link between sport, environmental awareness, and youth leadership. Prince Albert II has been named Honorary President of the Vendée Globe Foundation, with its mission to be guided by a Scientific Council under the leadership of Dr. Frank Zal.

This year, the foundation’s endowment fund is supporting three key projects: the Share the Ocean Consortium, the William Mission, and a collaborative initiative with UNESCO and the IMOCA Globe Series.

Photo Credit: Axel Bastello / Palais Princier

Travelling with pets between the UK and the EU: the latest rules and regulations

by: Elsa Carpenter

12/11/2024

With Christmas just around the corner, many of us are planning festive trips to visit friends and family. For pet owners, these journeys often mean bringing along their beloved animals. But what are the latest rules and regulations for travelling with pets between the UK and the EU?

Ensuring that overseas and cross-border travel is as smooth and as stress-free as possible will no doubt be a priority for any pet owner making plans to take their furry friend on holiday with them, so Monaco Life has compiled a guide to the latest pet travel requirements within the EU and to the UK.

The rules that many of us had become accustomed to pre-Brexit changed after the UK withdrew from the bloc, and the UK is now classified as a Part 2 listed country under the EU Pet Travel Scheme.

UK to EU travel

As such, pets must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. A tapeworm treatment is required for dogs entering certain EU countries including Finland, Ireland and Malta.

Pet owners must also obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from a vet no more than 10 days before travel to the EU. The AHC replaces the previous EU pet passport for UK-issued pets and is required for each trip. According to the latest available information, an AHC is valid for a single entry to the EU, as well as onward travel within the EU for up to four months and re-entry into the UK.

There had been talk of an obligatory rabies antibody test for pets entering the EU from the UK, but this has not become a reality. Therefore, the three-month waiting period after a rabies test is not needed for UK pets entering the EU, as long as the pet has an up-to-date rabies vaccination and an AHC.

EU to UK travel

All pets travelling into the UK from the EU must be microchipped. They must also have a valid rabies vaccination that is at least 21 days old if it’s their first vaccine. A rabies antibody test is not required.

If your pet has an EU-issued pet passport, you can use it to enter the UK. If not, a registered vet must issue an AHC within 10 days prior to travel. This certificate will be valid for a single entry to the UK and for four months of travel within the EU.

Dogs specifically must be given a tapeworm treatment between one and five days before entering the UK. This treatment must be recorded in the pet passport or on the AHC.

There may also be additional requirements for other pets including birds, rabbits and rodents, so it’s recommended to check the UK government’s pet travel guidance website for specific details. Click here for more information.

Photo credit: Ignacio Amenabar, Unsplash

AS Monaco Basket teams up with Lanvin for stylish new partnership

by: Niki Borisova

11/11/2024

Lanvin has joined forces with AS Monaco Basket as the official outfitter for the Roca Team, merging high-end fashion with basketball.

As the basketball EuroLeague season is well underway, AS Monaco Basket has announced a new partnership with the French luxury fashion house Lanvin, naming the brand as the official outfitter of the Roca Team. This collaboration aims to blend Lanvin’s high-end style with the athleticism and competitive spirit of the basketball team.

“Our ambition is to offer our fans the ultimate Hoops Royal experience,” said Oleksiy Yefimov, General Manager of AS Monaco Basket. “Partnering with Lanvin, which shares this vision, is crucial to achieving our goals. I am confident this marks the beginning of a long-lasting relationship, during which we will build stories that highlight the beauty of this project.”

See more: Interview: Oleksiy Yefimov, General Manager of AS Monaco Basket

To celebrate the collaboration, key players from AS Monaco Basket, including Matthew Strazel, Mike James, and Elie Okobo, are featured in black-and-white portraits wearing Lanvin’s signature suits and DDB1 sneakers.

“Lanvin is pleased to strengthen its ties with Monaco through this partnership with AS Monaco Basketball, a team that inspires both locally and globally,” said Lanvin’s Deputy CEO, Siddhartha Shukla. “The athleticism and exemplary team spirit that characterise their success echo Lanvin’s commitment to excellence. As Madame Lanvin understood more than a century ago, the worlds of fashion and sport find common ground and cultural synergies.”

Lanvin’s connection to the Riviera dates back to the early 20th century when Jeanne Lanvin opened her first boutique on the iconic Boulevard de la Croisette in Cannes. There is also a store in Monaco and plans to renovate its Cannes location in 2025.

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

Photo credit: Romain Duquesne, Bird production

Kamil Art Gallery presents ‘Heaven’s Door’: a sculptural exploration of space and light

by: Niki Borisova

11/11/2024

Belgian artist Nicolas Alquin has opened Heaven’s Door at Kamil Art Gallery, inviting viewers to explore the boundary between the material and the mystical through his monumental wood sculptures.

Known for his sculptural work with raw wood, Alquin is presenting a series of monumental pieces that feature distinctive golden openings at their centre, which he describes as symbolic thresholds leading to an unseen realm.

“Art is intuition…”

“I focus a lot on inner space. In this exhibition, my aim was to carve away so much of the material that almost nothing of the statue remains – leaving mostly space. And what is space? Space is our inner light,” Alquin explained to Monaco Life during the opening of the exhibition on Thursday 7th November.

The centrepiece is a human figure carved from a single piece of wood, with a human-shaped opening at its core framed by golden edges. This design, according to Alquin, invites viewers to contemplate the notion of crossing into an elsewhere – a place that suggests both mystery and connection. Alquin said that the interplay between the wood and the golden framing reflects his interest in linking the earthly and the immaterial. The gold edging, he explained, acts as a form of light, hinting at a sense of the sacred or the transcendent.

“What inspires me the most is life, as it is divine, it is universal, and it is sacred. But really, art is intuition,” said the artist.

The sculptor also discussed his approach to these works as an exploration of passage and transformation. He sees each gilded opening as a symbol of transition, a way to look beyond what is physically present. “The wood anchors us in the known, but these openings suggest there is something beyond it, a space where the material world and the spiritual may meet,” Alquin shared with Monaco Life.

Connecting to the natural world

Alquin’s work is deeply rooted in his background; born in Brussels in 1958 to a family of artists, he trained in art restoration and has dedicated much of his career to creating large-scale sculptures that focus on texture, form, and symbolism.

His choice of wood as a primary medium connects his art to the natural world, while the addition of gold serves as a subtle reminder of something beyond the physical. In Heaven’s Door, he examines the duality of inside and outside, matter and light, questioning where one ends and the other begins.

“I’m proud to bring Heaven’s Door to Kamil Art Gallery,” said Alquin. “It’s an honour to exhibit in a space that values exploration and reflection.”

Heaven’s Door will be on display at Kamil Art Gallery until the 8th December.

See more of the exhibition in our video reel below…

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Photo credit: Niki Borisova, Monaco Life

Month: November 2024

E1 World Championship sets date for electrifying return to Monaco