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Month: November 2025

Navicap Challenge – Trophée Elena Sivoldaeva returns to Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
25/11/2025

The countdown is on for the third edition of the Navicap Challenge – Trophée Elena Sivoldaeva, taking place from 28th to 30th November. Organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) with the support of FxPro and North Sails, this inclusive regatta is once again set to welcome a broad mix of sailors to the waters of Monaco.

More than just a sporting event, the Navicap Challenge unites able-bodied and disabled sailors, professionals and amateurs, to race together on equal terms. The competition is held annually in advance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December and is part of Monaco’s larger initiative: Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting.

“Sailing is all about people. On a boat everyone finds their place and their role in making it work,” said Bernard d’Alessandri, General Secretary of the Yacht Club de Monaco.

growing international participation

Participation has nearly doubled since last year, with around 60 teams expected from across Europe. Crews will be travelling from England, Italy, France, Switzerland, Belgium and of course Monaco, underscoring the regatta’s increasing international appeal.

All teams will race using Hansa 303 dinghies, a class of boat designed specifically to accommodate all levels of mobility. Thanks to the support of YCM member Elena Sivoldaeva, the club now has two of these adaptable vessels. Each dinghy can be sailed by a pair—whether both sailors are able-bodied, both have a disability, or are a mixed team—ensuring a fair and competitive experience for all.

a format built for excitement

The regatta will be run in a round robin format, with teams racing on a triangular course. Each group races against all others before being split into four categories—Gold, Silver, Bronze or Vermeil—based on their results. In the event of a tie, the final race will determine the winner, ensuring suspense and competitive spirit throughout the weekend.

racing for more than a result

While competition is at the heart of the Navicap Challenge, the event is also about community and discovery. With experienced supervisors, specialised equipment and tailored coaching, the environment allows sailors of all abilities to enjoy racing at the highest level, while learning from and supporting one another.

event schedule

The first warning signal will sound at 2:00pm on Friday 28th November. Races will continue at 11:00am on both Saturday and Sunday, as competitors and spectators alike celebrate the transformative power of sailing—on and off the water.

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The Animal Fund to mark 10 years of ocean protection with Monaco gala

by: Cassandra Tanti
25/11/2025

Marine conservation charity The Animal Fund (TAF) will celebrate its 10th anniversary this December with a black-tie gala at the Yacht Club de Monaco, highlighting a decade of education, activism and international advocacy for ocean protection.

Founded in 2015, TAF has grown into an international non-profit registered in five countries, working to safeguard marine life and combat threats such as plastic pollution, overfishing and whaling. Over the past decade, the organisation says it has conducted more than 500 conferences, partnered with 70 schools and 19 universities, and led over 60 major beach and ocean clean-ups.

“We are deeply grateful to our supporters and proud of the impact achieved together,” said founder Berit Legrand. “From implementing whale and ocean protection guidelines to engaging directly with whaling nations, TAF has shown that collective action can drive change.”

Global reach from Monaco to the world

Headquartered in Monaco, TAF’s influence extends well beyond the Principality. The charity has organised over 280 public events and launched 60 awareness campaigns, addressing issues from harmful cosmetics to the dangers of single-use plastics. Its work with schools has placed education at the heart of its mission, aiming to inspire what it calls “the next generation of ocean guardians”.

A milestone celebration

The anniversary gala on 4th December at the Yacht Club de Monaco will feature a champagne reception, dinner, live performances and an auction, with all proceeds directed exclusively to TAF’s conservation programmes. Tickets are limited and early reservations are encouraged, with organisers stressing that every contribution will support frontline work rather than administration costs.

Guests can expect an evening that blends glamour with purpose, while reflecting on a decade of progress and setting a course for the next ten years of advocacy. “This milestone is not just about celebrating the past,” said Legrand. “It is about looking forward with renewed purpose and unity in our mission to protect the ocean.”

For bookings, click here.

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This article was originally published on 10th October 2025.

Cycling: Beking 2025 marks it’s best edition yet as Prince Albert II hands out awards

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
24/11/2025

Prince Albert II took to the podium on Sunday afternoon to present trophies to the winner’s of Beking Monaco, one of Monaco’s most popular cycling competitions. 

The annual charity cycling event took place at Port Hercule, drawing large crowds of spectators, and counting its most successful edition yet.

Spectators and enthusiasts flocked to the port from 9am, ready to witness professional cyclists competing in the challenges, and bringing their kids to meet their cycling idols, take home autographs and even try the very same track before and after the challenges with their own bikes.

During the race, photo by Monaco Life.

Meanwhile, the crowd that gathered for the men’s category official kick-off was treated to a spectacular display of speed as 35 professional cyclists navigated the tight 1.35 kilometre course.

The bikes flashed past at truly breathtaking velocity, the pack creating a blur of colour and sound that kept viewers on a tight chokehold throughout the race. It was formula 1 on two wheels…pure speed and adrenaline coursing through Monaco’s famous circuit.

During Beking Monaco, photo by Monaco Life.

After the challenges and during the awards ceremony, Prince Albert applauded Italy’s Jonathan Milan, who claimed victory in the men’s race ahead of Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar and local favourite Victor Langellotti.

In the women’s competition, which was held for the very first time this year, Dutch champion Lorena Wiebes took the honours, with Poland’s Kasia Niewiadoma and Italy’s Anna Trevisi joining her on the podium.

Prince Albert II applauding the winners, photo by Monaco Life.

“The pace was high from the start,” said Milan afterwards. “It’s great to see how cycling can bring together so many people.”

Organised by the Beking association with support from CMT, the fifth edition of the event raised funds for Fight Aids Monaco.

“I really enjoyed Beking,” said Wiebes. “It’s really special to run here.”

See more of the action in our video reel below…

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Main photo by Monaco Life.

MEB puts spotlight on Swiss strengths ahead of economic mission to Zurich

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/11/2025

In the lead-up to its trade mission to Zurich in March 2026, the Monaco Economic Board (MEB) held a Business Destination conference last week, focusing on Switzerland — one of the world’s most resilient and innovation-driven economies.

The event, organised in partnership with the Honorary Consulate of Switzerland in Monaco and in collaboration with the Swiss Embassy in France and Monaco, drew a crowd of Monegasque business leaders keen to explore commercial opportunities in the Swiss market.

Innovation and resilience define the Swiss economy

Opening the event, MEB CEO Guillaume Rose welcomed attendees before handing over to Carole Lanteri, Monaco’s Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. She was followed by Tania Cavassini, who delivered a detailed overview of Switzerland’s economic structure and appeal.

Cavassini outlined the country’s remarkable sectoral diversity, spanning pharmaceuticals, chemicals, machinery, and watchmaking, alongside a world-leading financial centre and an advanced services sector. “This diversity is a key driver of Switzerland’s economic resilience,” she said, citing the country’s disciplined public financial management and inclusive governance model.

She also underlined Switzerland’s long-standing commitment to innovation, noting that it has topped the WIPO Global Innovation Index for 15 consecutive years. This achievement, she explained, is thanks to consistent investment in research and development, a globally respected education system, and deep collaboration between academic institutions and industry.

An attractive and competitive environment

Switzerland’s business environment was another focal point, with Cavassini highlighting the country’s liberal labour market, accessible workforce recruitment within Europe, and a favourable corporate tax regime—where rates typically range from 12% to 15% across most cantons. These advantages have drawn over 850 regional headquarters of multinational companies to establish a presence in the country.

A Q&A session followed the presentation, where Monaco-based businesses expressed strong interest in Switzerland’s stable yet dynamic ecosystem. Many of the Swiss model’s strengths—such as economic agility, sustainable innovation and strategic neutrality—were noted as aligning closely with Monaco’s own economic ambitions.

The MEB’s upcoming economic mission to Zurich in March is expected to build on this momentum, offering Monegasque entrepreneurs a valuable opportunity to engage directly with potential Swiss partners and better understand a market that combines global influence with enduring stability.

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Photo source: MEB

A prehistoric adventure for young explorers at Monaco’s Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/11/2025

Children will have the chance to step back in time this Wednesday 26th November, during a special afternoon of free activities at Monaco’s Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology. From 2pm to 4pm, the museum will host an exclusive animation event designed for young visitors, inviting them to explore the wonders of the prehistoric world through art, science and storytelling.

The event, offered as part of the museum’s ongoing collaboration with institutional partners, is tailored for children with curious minds and a love for animals. Activities will include hands-on archaeological exploration, drawing workshops and creative sculpture-making – all inspired by the museum’s current temporary exhibition L’effet papillon: la préhistoire des animaux.

Led by expert museum staff, the two featured workshops will combine observation, artistic creation and scientific discovery, offering children a unique opportunity to learn about prehistoric fauna while expressing their creativity in a fun and educational setting.

Participation is free but places are limited, and advance registration is required. Parents can secure a spot by emailing map@gouv.mc or calling +377 98 98 80 06.

More information about the event and the exhibition can be found at: https://map.gouv.mc/creatures-creations

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Photo by Monaco Life

Coercive control in the spotlight: Monaco launches hard-hitting campaign

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/11/2025

As Monaco marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25th November, a powerful new message has been launched across the Principality. The Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights has revealed its 2025 campaign titled L’enfermer ce n’est pas l’aimer – “To lock her away is not to love her” – aimed at exposing the often-overlooked dangers of coercive control in abusive relationships.

Presented in the presence of Human Rights Ambassador and former French minister Isabelle Rome, the campaign casts a spotlight on the psychological tactics used by abusers to isolate and control their victims. Céline Cottalorda, Monaco’s Interministerial Delegate for Women’s Rights, explained that the campaign’s objective is to raise awareness not only among victims but also among perpetrators, to highlight the insidious nature of domestic abuse.

She said the initiative is designed to provoke a shift in perception, particularly in cases where abusers may not see their actions as violent. Isabelle Rome echoed this sentiment, emphasising that tackling abusive behaviour at its source is essential to prevent repeat offences and drive wider public understanding.

The campaign uses the striking symbol of a ‘Black Box’ to reflect the tightening grip of coercive control. This theme is brought to life through a series of posters displayed throughout Monaco, including in the Fontvieille shopping gallery. At the heart of the campaign is an animated short film narrated from the point of view of the perpetrator, illustrating how a seemingly normal relationship can devolve into psychological control and abuse. The film will be shared on Monaco Info, as well as the Committee’s digital channels, and will also be available in English, voiced by Monaco’s Ambassador for Women’s Rights, actor Toby Wright.

In a bid to involve young people, the campaign partnered with the Department of Education, Youth and Sport to organise a video competition for secondary school students. Using the campaign’s title as a theme, students were invited to create original videos of one to three minutes, individually or in teams. The winning projects will be screened at a public event on 25th November at 6:30pm at Lycée Rainier III, providing an open platform for discussing coercive control and the role of community awareness in tackling abuse.

Several additional events are scheduled throughout the week to reinforce the campaign’s message. On 24th November, a conference hosted at the Stelios Foundation by the Zonta Club will feature historian and essayist Lucile Peytavin, who will examine the social and financial impact of masculinity culture. On 25th November, the Monaco Women in Finance Institute will hold a forum theatre performance at the Maison des Associations for corporate audiences, exploring the different faces of sexism in the workplace. The Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace (CHPG) will lead a discussion on 26th November at Lou Clapas about how to combat intra-family violence, with contributions from Dr Julia Aumiphin and Nathalie Simonnet. Then on 27th November, young adults will take the stage at the Société Nautique for a forum theatre event organised by the Soroptimist Club, using live scenography to unpack real-life experiences of gender inequality.

To complement these efforts, the Zonta Club of Monaco will run a visual campaign on public benches, while local NGOs She Can He Can and Fight Aids Monaco will launch new initiatives calling on men to take a stand against violence. Throughout the day on 25th November, Monaco residents are encouraged to wear a white ribbon as a visible sign of solidarity with victims and survivors of gender-based violence.

More information about the campaign and the full video can be found at dfm.mc/evenement/lenfermer-ce-nest-pas-laimer.

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Main photo: Isabelle Rome and Celine Cottalorda, credit: Stephane Dana, Department of Communications