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Rosberg’s team claims 2nd straight Extreme E win

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/06/2021

Nico’s Rosberg X Racing has scored its consecutive Extreme E championship victory in Senegal, despite a first-corner collision with Lewis Hamilton’s X44 team.
The pioneering electric SUV, off-road racing series delivered even more spectacular moments and overtakes on the weekend than the dramatic curtain-raising Desert X Prix in the Saudi deserts of AlUla eight weeks ago.
Running alongside the stunning backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean in Dakar, Senegal, the Extreme E showdown featured the notoriously bumpy and flowing ‘Moguls’ section, a single file wooded area and a spectacular start/finish straight running along the beach, a course that has been heralded by the drivers as more technical and closer to their initial vision of Extreme E.

Molly Taylor (AUS)/Johan Kristoffersson (SWE), Rosberg X Racing, Cristina Gutierrez (ESP)/Sebastien Loeb (FRA), X44, Jamie Chadwick (GBR)/Stephane Sarrazin (FRA), Veloce Racing, and Cristina Gutierrez (ESP)/Sebastien Loeb (FRA), X44.

Rosberg X Racing (RXR) teammates Molly Taylor and Johan Kristoffersson overcame intense pressure from their rivals to be crowned winners of the first-ever Ocean X prix, after both Jenson Button’s JBXE outfit and Lewis Hamilton’s X44 squad retired in the early stages of the two-lap, 12.6km race.
Hamilton’s car sustained damage to its right-front wheel after contact between Cristina Gutierrez in the X44 and leader Molly Taylor for Rosberg X Racing. That was almost immediately followed by Button’s SUV sustaining terminal damage on the long, bumpy shoreside run at the start of the lap.
After the race was red-flagged so that the two cars could be cleared, a standing restart saw Rosberg’s Johan Kristoffersson and Veloce’s Jamie Chadwick battle for the lead, but the former pulled away and completed the second lap to win by 14 seconds.
Button’s team came in third, and Hamilton’s fourth.
Nico Rosberg, founder and CEO, Rosberg X Racing with Molly Taylor (AUS), Johan Kristoffersson (SWE), and team members.

“I’m so happy for us as a team to have won in Extreme E for the second time. Two out of two, wow,” said Nico Rosberg, founder and CEO of RXR, after the win. “You know, it’s not to be underestimated the challenge that was out there this weekend. It’s so difficult because no one really understands the cars properly, as you don’t get a chance to test them. So, you have to guess and figure things out – as a team, we’re really trying to bring a Formula 1 approach to Extreme E here which is really helping us as a team to perform.
“It’s so cool as well that in AlUla, it was Johan that very much did it at the start and Molly followed on, but today it’s Molly that made the magic in the final and then Johan brought it home,” the former Formula 1 champion added.
Christine ‘GZ’ Giampaoli Zonca (ESP), Oliver Bennett (GBR), Hispano Suiza Xite Energy Team.

Nine teams and 18 drivers competed, but in a slight change to the Saudi Arabia race format, the final was a four-car battle, with two teams from each of the two semi-finals progressing to the concluding race.
Segi TV Chip Ganassi Racing’s Kyle LeDuc took the new Super Sector title, earning an extra five points for his team setting the fastest time of 1 minute 50.891 seconds – 1.289 seconds ahead of X44’s Sebastien Loeb.
“The race format here has been a big step forward from AlUla in terms of development for race excitement – but it’s still early stages and there’s still a way to go,” Rosberg said. “I love this whole championship and being in the role of team principal – I’m still as competitive as hell even though I’m not actually driving. Anyway, we have the two best drivers in the car who are doing a much better job than I could – and I couldn’t be happier.”
Rosberg’s team is sitting at the top of the championship ahead of the third event of the climate-aware series, the Arctic X Prix, in Greenland on 28th to 29th August.
 
READ ALSO:

Rosberg X Racing makes history as first Extreme E winner 

 
 
Photos: Extreme E media centre
 
 

Nice airport first in EU to use wind-shear detecting radar

by: Stephanie Horsman
01/06/2021

Landings at Nice Côte d’Azur airport are set to become a lot softer thanks to the acquisition of a super-powerful lidar to detect sudden episodes of windshear, a first for any European airport.
Nice airport’s proximity to the sea, mountains and plains of the Var make it a prime locale for sudden variations in wind direction, also known as wind shear. This phenomenon can make difficulties for pilots, especially during landing phases.
Now, the airport is benefitting from one of the world’s most powerful Doppler lidars in Europe. Acquired by Météo France and built by Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, this new equipment compliments the observation systems currently in place and will make for safer journeys all around.
“We warmly thank Météo France for having acquired and implemented this lidar, which strengthens the safety of aircraft and their crews, and passenger comfort in the service of the performance of our Nice platform,” said Franck Goldnadel, Chairman of the Management Board of the Airports of the Côte d’Azur.
Lidar, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure variable distances to the Earth. A lidar is effective even in dry weather, whereas a x-band radar, the equipment used prior to the arrival of the lidar, is effective only in wet conditions as it uses raindrops and clouds to sense the patterns.
The lidar works using aerosols suspended in the atmosphere’s lower layers to measure wind by Doppler effect to follow movements. This allows forecasters to predict wind shear and its close cousin, turbulence, up to 10 minutes in advance. This allows pilots to anticipate the coming conditions and adjust during crucial take-off and landing phases.
Several airports are using the Mitsubishi lidar, notably in Southeast Asia and Japan, and Nice is the first in Europe to have access to it.
 
 
 
Photo source: Pixabay
 
 

The Maybourne Riviera: a destination for locals

by: Cassandra Tanti
31/05/2021

A penthouse restaurant headed by Mauro Colagreco, a luxurious spa with infinity pool, and an elegant outdoor ballroom perfect for one of Monaco’s many charity galas… Here is what we know about The Maybourne Riviera, soon to open in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.
The Maybourne Hotel Group, owned by the Qatari royal family, is the operator of Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley in London, and The Maybourne Beverly Hills in Los Angeles. The group will be launching its fifth hotel this summer in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.
“The opening of The Maybourne Riviera marks a new era for Maybourne Hotel Group, with our first newly built property in one of my favourite places in the world: Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, a truly untouched French gem,” said co-owner of Maybourne Hotel Group Paddy McKillen. “We plan to bring the legendary service and spirit of hospitality that have made our London hotels so successful and much loved, building The Maybourne Riviera into one of the great hotels of the world.”
The striking modernist hotel features an exterior design by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, a nod to modernist architects Eileen Gray and Le Corbusier who built their contemporary homes close by. Among his many other projects, Wilmotte is responsible for the rehabilitation of the auditoriums of the Palais des Festival in Cannes and designed the Teotista residential building in Monaco, also known as the Monte-Carlo View.

Bathroom design at The Maybourne Riviera

Bringing luxury to Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
Floor to ceiling windows in each of the 69 rooms will enable guests to take in the dramatic views sweeping from Italy in the east to Monaco in the west. Among them will be 24 suites with private terraces or balconies, some even offering private horizon plunge pools.
The group has been collaborating with some of the most globally recognised artists, designers and architects to create one-of-a-kind spaces, with Andre Fu, Bryan O’Sullivan Studio, Marcelo Joulia, Pierre Yovanovitch, Pascal Goujon and Rigby and Rigby all adding their distinctive style, as well as the Maybourne in-house design team led by Michelle Wu.
Mauro Colagreco will head his second Riviera restaurant at the hotel

A destination for locals
For people who already live in Monaco, the great news is that The Maybourne Riviera will also be an outstanding gastronomic hotspot with a host of restaurants under the creative direction some of the finest chefs and restaurateurs in the world. The legendary Mauro Colagreco of three Michelin star Mirazur in nearby Menton, and holder of the number one position in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, will have his restaurant on the enviable top floor with panoramic views, drawing on his favourite theme, the sea.
In addition, global super-chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten will launch his first restaurant in the French Riviera with cuisine inspired by the hotel’s location on the French-Italian border. Finally, Japanese chef Hiro Sato will bring his world class sushi to The Maybourne Riviera.
Other perks for locals include a Piano Bar for a sunset aperitif or final nightcap, a wellness centre with indoor and outdoor pools and André-Fu designed spa, and conference spaces that can accommodate up to 250 guests for everything from wedding receptions to congresses. There are also two ballrooms, one of which is outdoors – perfect for Monaco’s many charity galas.
The hotel will feature incredible views from Italy to Monaco

The hotel is set on the rocky peninsula high above the coast in restored ancient gardens with walkways, citrus orchards and a seasonal herb garden.
When contacted by Monaco Life, the group said it was unable to give a specific opening date of The Maybourne Riviera as it is currently finalising timelines. But stay tuned as we will be updating our readers on this exciting new destination.
 
 
 

Pandemic halves SBM revenue in 2020/21 fiscal year

by: Stephanie Horsman
28/05/2021

Monaco’s largest employer, Société des Bains de Mer, has reported revenues of €336.9 million in the year ending 1st March 2021 compared to €618.8 million the previous year, amid the company’s major restructuring and cost-saving plan.

The pandemic brought havoc to those in the hospitality industry, and the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) was no exception. CEO Jean-Luc Biamonti announced the company’s financial statements to the press on Friday, after an annual Board of Directors meeting on 27th May.

Among the notable figures, SBM saw gaming revenues decrease by €115 million in the last financial year, equalling -48%. Meanwhile, hotel revenues reduced by €175 million, coming to a depressing -62%. The only bright spot was that rental revenues increased by a small but significant €10 million equalling a +11% gain.

The company also saw an operating loss of €103.3 million compared with a €22.6 million profit in the 2019/20 fiscal year. The consolidated loss was less severe, but still significant at -€79.1 million, as opposed to the previous year which saw a profit of €26.1 million.

Gaming and hotel losses are contributed directly to the forced closures that were periodicallynecessary as part of lockdown procedures throughout much of 2020 and into 2021.

The rental sector increase is being attributed mainly to new residential leases having been signed at One Monte-Carlo, though Monte-Carlo Bay, the Balmoral, the Villas du Sporting’s boutique and office lettings also contributed.

As a result, SBM has worked to reduce overhead in the form of operating and investment expenses, as well as accelerating their global restructuring plan. This led to employees going on furlough or paid leave throughout a good part of the year.

The restructuring plan, which was announced on 4th March, includes a voluntary redundancy plan for employees over 57-years-old, on the essential condition that these workers would not be replaced. Do date, 234 employees have signed up.

Additionally, a collective forced redundancy plan was put into effect. This is currently limited to just two people, with most of the staff departures targeted at certain departments for reasons of overstaffing or re-organisation to restore competitiveness. These individuals have been moved to alternative roles.

The restructuring has resulted in a net cost of €25.3 million.  

Looking forward, SBM anticipates, with the implementation of the restructuring plan, a net saving of €18 million this year. These savings, along with other measures to bring costs more into line with seasonal fluctuations in activity, should give SBM Group a return to profitability, says the company.

SBM has also put in place financial measures that mean they are completely solvent. According to Mr Biamonti, they have roughly €90 million in ready cash for the unexpected or the unforeseen.

 

Photo of the Casino de Monte-Carlo by Monaco Life
 
 
 

Roca team takes win in front of home crowd

by: Stephanie Horsman
28/05/2021

For the first time since October 2020, fans were allowed in to the Salle Gaston Médecin to support AS Monaco Basketball, where they handily won against Le Mans 75 to 52.

Smiles on faces, clapping hands and cheers for the teams punctuated the first night back for 800 fans of AS Monaco Basketball on Thursday night when they played against a determined Le Mans team, winning their fifth straight game. 

“A big thank you to the fans for the warmth and support they gave us,” Team Captain Dee Bost said after the game. “They gave us extra energy for the end of the season. We must not make a wrong step, but we have a group that can do it.”

Mathias Lessort scored the first points of the game, followed by a beautiful three-pointer by JJ O’Brien. It was a nice way to start, and it just got better from there.

There wasn’t a quarter where the Roca team didn’t outscore their opponents. The first quarter ended with 26 points to 20, the second they made 19 points to Le Mans’ 10, in the third, it was 19 to 15 and in the final quarter Monaco had 11 points and Le Mans seven.

The Roca cheerleading girls were also back, adding a bit more fun to the party atmosphere, and at the end of the first quarter, We are the Champions by Queen was played to celebrate the Roca team’s Euro Cup title.

“It was a great time to be able to find our fans,” said Coach Zvezdan Mitrovic. “They gave us energy. We needed to share with them. It was difficult for Le Mans tonight, with a small roster. We have to manage this end of the championship with very close matches and defend our first place. The team is behaving very well, the group is making every effort.”

AS Monaco made 28 shots out of 65, with six for 25 of those being three-pointers. The team had an enormous 42 rebounds, with Damien Inglis claiming 12 of his own. They recovered 16 stray balls, had 16 assists and stole the ball 18 times.

Captain Bost was high-scorer with 14 points on the night, followed by Lessort and Fall Faye who clocked up 11 each.

The Roca team are back on the court Tuesday 1st June where they travel to Chalons-Reims.

 
 
Monaco Life with AS Monaco Basketball press release, photo by Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department 
 
 

MonacoTech signs partnership with Canadian accelerator

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/05/2021

MonacoTech has announced its third partnership with an international incubator, this time with ACET in Canada to support companies from the two accelerators in their overseas marketing efforts.

MonacoTech said on Thursday 27th May that it had signed the partnership with ACET, an accelerator for the creation of technological companies. The agreement formalises a collaboration that began a few months ago and will strengthen the cooperation between the two accelerators.

The collaboration will allow startups to benefit from the networks of the two incubators, increase opportunities and strengthen their competitive advantages through meetings with key players in the ecosystem.

“This collaboration with ACET is based on a common vision of innovation and support for our startups internationally,” said Lionel Galfré, Director of MonacoTech. “This agreement is fully in line with our strategy and our desire to offer project leaders supported by MonacoTech an opening to other markets and ecosystems abroad. Startups will now be able to benefit from the support and collaboration of an expert and renowned accelerator in Quebec, the gateway to the North American continent.”

The project will also aim to seek possible synergies between the different startups. Young companies will be supported when they want to validate their value proposition and test their products in new markets. These two accelerators will therefore have a role of proactive facilitator.

“This partnership is a wonderful opportunity for ACET and MonacoTech to exchange best practices in supporting technology companies,” said  Ghyslain Goulet, CEO of ACET. “But above all, it is a golden opportunity for ACET companies to benefit from a leading business network from a very well-established accelerator in order to penetrate European markets.”

ACET’s mission is to identify innovative and daring technological projects, to support entrepreneurs in their development and to propel new innovative companies with a positive societal impact. Supported by a committed business community, ACET offers personalised support, from seed to internationalisation, access to various sources of funding including its own investment funds, the expertise of its market intelligence service and the power of its networks so that entrepreneurs can transform their passion, their vision and their innovations into a successful business.

The agreement follows similar partnerships with Capsula in Israel and APUI – IMT Lille Douai in France.

READ ALSO:
MonacoTech forms new partnership with APUI – IMT
Monaco and Israel join forces to support innovation