The Covid-19 incidence rate is on the rise again in Monaco and surrounding regions, triggering fears that an eighth wave is imminent. Here’s the latest.
Photo of a Covid testing laboratory by Monaco Life
Covid is making its expected resurgence
Tag: monaco
Nice Mayor claims city as top tourist spot in France
Photo by Monaco Life
Monaco narrowly lose to Lebanon in Davis Cup tie
Monaco lost 3-2 to Lebanon in the Davis Cup, despite an impressive comeback from 2-0 down. Attention now shifts from promotion to survival in Group II.
Following a comfortable victory against Morocco in March, Monaco went into the two-day tournament, which took place on Friday and Saturday, with the chance to get promoted to Group I of the world-renowned tennis tournament.
However, Monaco found their task much more difficult than they did earlier this year. Deprived of home-court advantage, the Principality side struggled on the hard court of Zouk Mosbeh.
Valentin Vacherot lost the first match in three sets against Hady Habib (1-6, 6-4, 6-3). The Monégasuqes were then left with a mountain to climb when Benjamin Hassan beat Lucas Caterina in straight sets (6-3, 6-1).
Monaco began their comeback in the doubles, as Hugo Nys and Romain Arneodo won in three sets (6-2, 6-7, 4-6). Valentin Vacherot’s victory in the fourth match of the competition (6-3, 7-6) then took the tie to a thrilling decider.
However, it wasn’t to be for Monaco. Habib beat Nys in three sets (6-2, 6-7, 6-2), to give Lebanon the victory, and dash Monaco’s dreams of reaching the top group. Focus now turns to remaining in Group II, and the draw for their next Davis Cup opponent will take place on Tuesday 20th September.
Photo of Monaco Davis Cup team by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
Princess’ Foundation teaches Sospel kids to swim
A learn-to-swim programme organised by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation is allowing more than 300 local school children to learn the life-saving skill of swimming.
On Friday 16th September, Secretary General of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation Gareth Wittstock visited the educational facilities of the Sospel swimming pool with other dignitaries.
During the month of September 2022, the Foundation is partnering with the Town of Sospel and the French Swimming Federation (FFN) for the implementation of the ‘Sospel Natation Azur’ project, which aims to teach swimming to Sospel schoolchildren as well as those from the towns of Breil-sur-Roya and Moulinet.
The project will allow nearly 300 children from kindergarten to 6th grade to acquire the minimum skills to ensure their safety in the water during the 10 sessions, and to perform the ‘Sauv’Nage’ test approved by the French Swimming School and the FFN.
On Friday, 70 children from the CP, CE1, CE2 and CM1 classes of the Sospel school were able to enjoy the swimming lessons, supervised by FFN-certified swimming instructors.
The outdoor swimming pool of Sospel, closed for three years, was reopened and renovated in 2022. It will allow for swimming classes to be held on a more regular basis in conjunction with schools and leisure centres.
Normally open in the months of July and August only, the swimming pool will open in the month of June 2023 also for a wider reach of the project.
The project is inspired by the program ‘La Turbie Natation Azur’ which, since 2014, teaches swimming to young children before the beginning of summer at the Princess Charlene Municipal Swimming Pool of La Turbie, thanks to a partnership between the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, the City of La Turbie, the Côte d’Azur Committee and the FFN.
Photo above credit: Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace
Jérôme D’Ambrosio leaves Monaco Sports Group
Monaco Sports Group team principal Jérôme D’Ambrosio has left the team after almost two years, during which he guided them to a second position in the Formula E world championship.
In a press release on Friday, the Monaco Sports Group, formerly known as ROKiT Venturi Racing, said that the team and D’Ambrosio had parted ways on “amicable terms”.
The team’s previous campaign saw them narrowly miss out on the Formula E world championship, whilst their driver, Edoardo Mortara, also narrowly missed out on the drivers’ title.
Speaking in the press release, D’Ambrosio said, “After two incredible seasons, my journey with the team comes to an end. As I move forward to pursue new opportunities, I would like to thank everyone in the team for their work and dedication, which has led us to our most competitive campaign to date last season. I would also like to thank Susie, Scott and José for having entrusted me with leading the organisation as team principal.”
He continued, “It has been a privilege and I could not have wished for a better environment to evolve in after transitioning from my racing driver career. I wish everyone in the team the very best as they will be moving into a new era of the championship.”
Scott Swid, principal owner and chairman of Monaco Sports Group, said, “We thank Jérôme for his invaluable contribution over the past two seasons, in which he has played a crucial role in helping to bring our vision for the team to life. On a personal note, I’m extremely proud of what we have achieved together, and by putting the best people in place, we’ve built a strong team with bold aspirations for the future.”
He continued, “With this in mind, I’m excited to see what the future holds for both him and us as we edge closer to the start of Formula E’s next generation of competition this January.”
The upcoming season will see the arrival of the Gen3 car, which was unveiled in Monaco in April. The season is set to get underway on January 14 in Mexico City.
SEE ALSO:
NEXT-GEN FORMULA E CAR REVEALED IN MONACO
ROKIT VENTURI RACING ENDS SEASON WITH VICTORY IN BERLIN
Photo by Monaco Sports Group
Ben Yedder and Minamino open their accounts in Monaco win
AS Monaco secured a third consecutive Ligue 1 victory against 10-man Reims on Sunday to move them up to fifth in the table before the upcoming international break.
The win sees Philippe Clement’s side soar up the table to fifth. Just three gameweeks ago, Monaco languished in 16th after a combination of questionable refereeing decisions and a difficult schedule saw them struggle for form.
However, their return to form has been confirmed in consecutive Ligue 1 victories again Nice, Lyon and Reims, who are somewhat of a bogey team for Monaco. The Principality side have only beaten them twice in nine attempts since they rejoined the top flight in 2018.
The fixture, the last before the international break, which will pause domestic football for a weekend, also saw a return to form for some key players. Wissam Ben Yedder, who was only outscored by Kylian Mbappé last season, and Takumi Minamino both picked up their first league goals of the season. For the latter, it was his first goal in the red and white of Monaco and will undoubtedly boost his confidence after a difficult start at the club.
However, the 3-0 scoreline doesn’t give a full reflection on the difficulty of the match. For large periods, Monaco struggled to break down Reims, who played the majority of the game with 10-men.
Yehvann Diouf saved well from Breel Embolo, before recovering and producing a spectacular stop to deny Ben Yedder on the rebound. Not long after, the game was turned on its head when Bradley Locko was shown a straight red when he caught Embolo on the follow-through. It was a harsh decision, but given Monaco’s poor luck with refereeing decisions at the beginning of the season, they won’t be complaining.
Monaco breached the Reims’ low-block just after the break. Aleksandr Golovin, who is showing his best form in Monaco colours, backed up his recent performances with a goal, heading in a brilliant Axel Disasi cross-field ball.
Diouf then kept Reims in the game with stunning saves from Mohamed Camara and then again from Ben Yedder. However, Reims couldn’t find an equaliser and a late double from Minamino and Ben Yedder added a sheen to the victory that takes them into the European places and back within striking distance of their rivals for the European places.
Monaco have played more matches than any of their rivals at the beginning of this congested season, and Clement is happy to finish this “sprint within a marathon” on a high.
“It is a good victory for us to finish a long run of matches every three days. I remind you that we are the French team that has played the most matches since the start of the season,” said Clement.
On the performances of Ben Yedder and Minamino, who have the ability to be decisive players for Monaco, Clement said, “I am happy because Wissam is very engaged, and is rewarded by scoring a beautiful goal. I am also happy for Taki’ who came on and finished with a goal and an assist. He was quicker, more agile, and fresher today.”
Monaco now have a well-earned break, although the standout performances of many in the squad have seen them called up to their respective international squads. Youusouf Fofana and Benoît Badiashile will join up with the France squad at Clairefontaine for the first time. Those who remain in La Turbie have a slightly reduced schedule but will face Genoa in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Thursday.
Monaco fans will have to wait until 2nd October for the return of competitive action as the Principality side host FC Nantes at the Stade Louis II.
Photo by AS Monaco