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Month: January 2025

Charlie Dalin earns record Vendée Globe win as Boris Herrmann edges closer to the finish line

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/01/2025

French sailor Charlie Dalin has cemented his place in sailing history by winning the legendary Vendée Globe in record time. Meanwhile, Boris Herrmann of the Yacht Club de Monaco continues to soldier on in 10th place aboard Malizia-Seaexplorer, having overcome a series of setbacks in recent days. The German skipper is currently crossing the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 2,500 nautical miles from the finish line.

Forty-year-old Dalin sailed into Les Sables-d’Olonne on 14th January, just 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes and 49 seconds after the 2024 Vendée Globe began. His record time, achieved through unrelenting effort and extraordinary precision at sea, marks a new pinnacle in the history of the solo round-the-world race.

From the moment the race began on 10th November 2024, Dalin exhibited a near-perfect blend of scientific precision, bold strategy, and remarkable endurance. His race was not only about speed but also about mastery of every aspect of sailing. Each manoeuvre and decision reflected meticulous preparation, deep concentration, and a relentless drive to succeed.

Speaking to the press upon his arrival back in France, the skipper of Macif Santé Prévoyance was visibly overjoyed at his incredible result, saying, “The emotions are indescribable. It’s the result of so much work! I’m happy to have won this Vendée Globe, this true monument of ocean racing, and to join this very exclusive club of winners.”

Though victorious in the 2024 edition—the 10th in the race’s history—it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the Frenchman.

“Four years ago, I came very close, but Yannick (Bestaven) won,” he shared. “This time, it’s me, and it’s a victory for the entire MACIF team. I am the happiest man in the world today, that’s for sure.”

While his record-breaking time is impressive, it’s the way Dalin approached the race that set him apart from the competition. Every aspect of his journey, from navigation to risk management, showcased his tireless quest for perfection. In a race where every decision carries immense weight, Dalin proved himself a formidable strategist, pushing the limits of what’s possible on the high seas.

Dalin’s closest competitor, Yoann Richomme, delivered an equally inspiring performance. Skippering Paprec Arkea, Richomme completed his first solo circumnavigation on 15th January at 6.12am, finishing in second place after 65 days, 18 hours, and 10 minutes at sea.

Sébastien Simon, aboard Groupe Debrueil, is expected to claim third place, with just over 400 nautical miles remaining. Meanwhile, local favourite Boris Herrmann, on the Yacht Club de Monaco-based Malizia-Seaexplorer, has overcome numerous setbacks and is holding 10th place—a testament to his resilience and determination.

To keep up-to-date with the sailors as they cross the finish line, click here.

Read related:

Vendée Globe: Boris Herrmann proves lightning can strike twice

 

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Photo source: Alea / VG2024

AS Monaco to host Aston Villa in Champions League clash on 21st January

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/01/2025

Following a bruising early knockout in the Coupe de France at the hands of Reims, AS Monaco are turning their focus to a pivotal Champions League game against Aston Villa in Monaco next week. It has been a difficult start to the year for the Principality side, who have lost their grip on the top spot in Ligue 1 and suffered a defeat to rivals Paris Saint-Germain in the Trophée des Champions final since 2025 began.

Champions League action will come to the Stade Louis II on Tuesday 21st January, when AS Monaco face off against Aston Villa. The two sides have experienced contrasting trajectories so far in the competition, and the stakes are particularly high for Monaco, who currently sit in 16th place with just 10 points. Aston Villa, meanwhile, are in fifth place with 13 points.

Monaco will enter the game after a challenging few weeks. The Principality team lost to Paris Saint-Germain in the Trophée des Champions final on 5th January, followed by a lacklustre draw with Nantes on 10th January. They then suffered a disappointing elimination from the Coupe de France in the Round of 32 on 14th January, losing to Reims in a penalty shootout.

See more: Football: Adi Hütter extends contract until 2027, Monaco lose to PSG

The match, held at Stade Auguste-Delaune, ended 1-1 in regular time, with Mohammed Salisu’s 70th-minute equaliser cancelling out Cédric Kipré’s first-half goal for Reims. Unfortunately, Monaco missed three penalty attempts, leading to a 3-1 shootout loss.

Coach Adi Hütter reflected on the defeat in his post-match comments, saying, “We are obviously all very disappointed, as we wanted to qualify for the next round of this Coupe de France. Nevertheless, I would like to congratulate Stade de Reims, even though the frustration is immense this evening. We really came here to win, but that did not happen.”

Despite the setback, there is optimism surrounding Monaco’s chances against Aston Villa. The team has shown resilience at home, where their fans are expected to play a crucial role in creating a winning atmosphere. A victory would not only boost their Champions League campaign but also restore confidence after their recent setbacks.

Read related:

Louis-II Stadium set to undergo three-year renovation 

 

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 source: AS Monaco FC

Fairmont Monte Carlo announces 300 job openings ahead of milestone year

by: Niki Borisova
15/01/2025
Fairmont Monte Carlo

Amid its preparations for its 50th anniversary in 2025, the Fairmont Monte Carlo is looking to recruit around 300 new members of staff across a range of departments. The iconic hotel on the Monaco Grand Prix hairpin will be hosting a recruitment event at the end of January with a view to filling numerous positions.

On Tuesday 28th January, in the Fairmont’s Grand Salon, hotel management and heads of department will convene to meet hopeful jobseekers looking to secure a role within the Fairmont’s hospitality, catering, sales, wellness, maintenance and service sectors. Candidates are encouraged to bring their résumés and relevant documents to meet with the recruitment team, who will be on-site at the jobs drive from 9am until 5.30pm.

See more: Monte-Carlo SBM to hold recruitment day for luxury seasonal roles

The Fairmont Monte Carlo first opened its doors in 1975. Over the years, it has become a symbol of hospitality excellence within the Principality, renowned for its exceptional service and premium location near central Monte-Carlo, with close proximity to one of the most famous corners of Monaco’s legendary Grand Prix circuit.

The hotel recently underwent extensive renovations: all 596 rooms and suites now feature a Riviera-inspired design in soothing beige and blue tones, Nobu Monte Carlo has also been redesigned and the newly opened Amù Monte Carlo offers guests an exquisite rooftop dining experience overlooking the new-look rooftop pool.

For more information on the positions available at the Fairmont Monte Carlo, visit Accor Careers or contact the recruitment team via email at fmc.recrutement@fairmont.com.

Read related:

Inside Nobu Monte-Carlo’s chic renovation, blending Scandinavian warmth with Japanese style

 

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 source: Fairmont Monte Carlo

French tax authorities given new powers to use social media and AI to track down violations

by: Niki Borisova
14/01/2025

France’s tax authorities have been authorised to use social media and AI tools to detect tax fraud and unreported income. The controversial policy, which took effect on 1st January 2025, permits officials to create accounts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn to monitor publicly accessible content.

The objective of allowing domestic tax authorities to use social media and AI in their work is to enable officials to identify inconsistencies between individuals’ declared financial situations and the lifestyles portrayed on their social media profiles. It will also allow tax authorities to monitor individuals who claim to live abroad for tax purposes while residing in France.

The move follows a previous decree that permitted the use of AI tools to detect undeclared swimming pools, buildings, and short-term rentals in France. It also reflects a broader effort by the state to modernise its tax operations, following other measures implemented in recent years, such as the introduction of AI-driven systems to detect anomalies in tax returns.

Though the decision will significantly expand the tax authorities’ surveillance capabilities, the new system comes with strict limits. France’s data privacy watchdog, CNIL, has stipulated that only publicly available information can be used and that private messages or non-public data remain off-limits. According to media reports, collected data can only be used to investigate specific offences outlined by law, such as underreporting income.

The use of AI and social media for tax enforcement has sparked concerns over privacy and the balance between oversight and individual rights. Critics warn that these tools could lead to overreach, while proponents argue they are essential for combating fraud and ensuring fairness in the tax system.

Read related:

France’s AI report warns of US “hegemonic power” and risks to Europe’s digital sovereignty

 

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: Timothy Hales Bennett, Unsplash

‘Colours!’: Grimaldi Forum’s summer exhibition for 2025

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/01/2025

The Grimaldi Forum Monaco is set to dazzle audiences this summer with its latest exhibition, ‘Colours! Pompidou Centre Masterpieces’, created in collaboration with the renowned cultural institution in Paris. This eagerly awaited showcase promises an immersive experience that will ignite all the senses.

Running from 8th July to 31st August, this innovative display explores the modern history of colour through some of the greatest works of art from the 20th century.

Curated by Didier Ottinger, Deputy Director of the French Musée National d’Art Moderne, the exhibition will feature over 100 masterpieces by renowned artists, including Sonia Delaunay, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani, Henri Matisse, and Vassily Kandinsky. Visitors can immerse themselves in a vibrant, multi-sensory experience, with seven themed sections dedicated to individual colours.

Adding to the exhibition’s unique appeal are audio creations by composer Roque Rivas and fragrances by Alexis Dadier of Fragonard, enhancing the sensory journey. Special installations by Marion Maelander will also incorporate designs from legendary creatives such as Ron Arad, Jean Prouvé, Ettore Sotsass, and Philippe Starck, with scenography by William Chatelain tying the experience together.

Following a parade of masters

The Grimaldi Forum is renowned for its ambitious summer exhibitions. In 2023, Monet in Full Light celebrated the 140th anniversary of Claude Monet’s visit to Monaco, while the 2024 blockbuster exhibition, ‘Turner, the Sublime Legacy‘, explored the work of 19th-century master J.M.W. Turner. The upcoming Colours! exhibition looks to continue this tradition of excellence, drawing on partnerships with leading cultural institutions to secure an exceptional roster of works.

A cornerstone of Monaco’s cultural calendar

Since its opening on 20th July 2000 by Prince Rainier III and Prince Albert II, the Grimaldi Forum Monaco has established itself as a major cultural institution, attracting global audiences with its expertly curated summer exhibitions, from exploring artistic movements to celebrating significant heritage and themes.

In the summer of 2026, the Grimaldi Forum Monaco will host Monaco and the Automobile, followed by Magritte in 2027.

 

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. 

Main image: Martial Raysse (1936, France) Made in Japan – La grande odalisque 1964, courtesy Centre Pompidou

 

Trailblazing CSM haematologist Eliane Gluckman honoured with lifetime achievement award

by: Stephanie Horsman
14/01/2025

Eliane Gluckman, a celebrated haematologist and the director of the Monacord Research Group at the Monaco Scientific Centre, has been awarded the Wallace H. Coulter Lifetime Achievement Award in Haematology in honour of her unparalleled contributions to the field.

Renowned haematologist Eliane Gluckman’s incredible service in the specialist field of haematology has been recognised with the announcement of her receiving the Wallace H. Coulter Lifetime Achievement Award in Haematology, which was presented to the distinguished French doctor and researcher at the 66th Congress of the American Society of Haematology on 8th December in San Diego, California.

Gluckman is Professor Emeritus at the University of Paris Cité, President of the Eurocord Association at Saint Louis Hospital in Paris, and Director of the Monacord Research Group at the Monaco Scientific Centre. In 1988, she made history by performing the world’s first umbilical cord blood transplant, a revolutionary achievement that opened new frontiers in treating conditions like leukaemia, Fanconi anaemia and sickle cell disease. Today, she focuses on haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, a procedure that has transformed the treatment landscape for both malignant and non-malignant blood disorders.

Over the years, her work has driven critical advances in understanding and managing bone marrow failure and other haematopathies, saving countless lives worldwide.

The Wallace H. Coulter Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honour conferred by the American Society of Haematology, celebrating visionaries who have reshaped the field of haematology through pioneering research, innovative clinical practices, and mentorship.

Professor Gluckman is the third woman and the first French woman to receive this esteemed accolade, underscoring her exceptional contributions and leadership in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Her current leadership roles with the Eurocord and Monacord groups continue to fuel critical research into risk factors and treatments for haematological diseases, reinforcing her legacy as a pioneer in medical science.

Read related:

CSM professor awarded for lifesaving research in cell therapy

 

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 source: ASH