Tennis: Andy Murray to compete in the Monte-Carlo Masters

07/04/2023

Having initially missed out on a wildcard for the Monte-Carlo Masters, Andy Murray will now compete in the event following the withdrawals of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz.

Stan Wawrinka, Fabio Fognini, Valentin Vacherot and Jack Draper were initially the recipients of the highly-coveted wildcards, which were announced last week. However, a lot can change in a week, and a lot has happened since that announcement.

Nadal and Alcaraz pulled out earlier this week, with both suffering injuries from which they have not sufficiently recovered. Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gaël Monfils have both since pulled out, leaving room for Murray, who looked to have missed out, to compete in the tournament, which begins on Saturday 8th April.

Murray, who has recovered from two hip operations, hasn’t competed at the Monte-Carlo Masters since 2017. The 35-year-old Scotsman reached the semi-finals of the competition in 2009, 2011 and 2016.

Dominic Thiem returns to Monaco

Another player to profit from the spate of injuries in the lead up to the tournament is Austrian player Dominic Thiem. He benefits from Monfils’ injury, which meant that Draper’s entry was no longer on invitation. Thiem won the US Open in 2020, but hasn’t reached a Grand Slam final since. He has notably suffered with a recurring wrist injury.

Fognini, who was reliant on a wildcard to compete in the event at the Monte-Carlo Country Club, has also had to withdraw through injury, and he is replaced by compatriot Lorenzo Sonego. Wildcards have also been granted to Frenchmen Luca Van Assche and Benoit Paire, whilst Monégasque players Lucas Catarina and Hugo Nys have the chance to feature, but must first pass through the qualifying rounds.

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Photo by Carine06

Monaco’s iconic Sass Café celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023

by: Stephanie Horsman

04/04/2023

It’s been announced that Monaco’s most famous nightspot Sass Café will be marking a three decade milestone later this year.

In the late summer of 1993, Salvatore Treves, known by friends as Sassa, was given free rein to create a new nightclub on the ground floor of the Columbia Building on Avenue Princesse Grace.

The energetic and already successful nightclub entrepreneur wasted no time. Starting out as a piano bar and restaurant, Sass Café was born, and with the help of his equally impressive wife Yolande, they turned it into a Monaco institution almost overnight.

Just a few years later, in 1997, the couple’s 19-year-old son Samy joined the family business and brought with him a youthful outlook. He helped breathe new life into Sass Café, modernising it both in concept and in the aesthetics.

sass café monaco — *Sassa, Yolande and Samy of the Treves family. Photo provided.*

From elegant dining to trendy nightclub in the blink of an eye

Sass’ special appeal has always been in the way it transforms itself from an elegant dining experience to a trendy nightspot in the blink of an eye each night. Live music at dinner is followed by thumping tunes pumped out by a DJ. The party seemingly never ends.

The eclectic interior is a riotous party in itself: a mix of leather and velvet furnishings, walls painted in gold and red, fanciful artwork and classic chandeliers hanging from the ceilings.

But this doesn’t distract guests from the food, which is a Mediterranean and Italian blend designed by Corporate Chef Shahar Dahan. Dishes include all-time favourites like pasta, risotto, and salads, but the menu also features high-end offerings such as Wagyu beef and caviar.

*Elegant dishes against the backdrop of that signature Sass style. Photo credit: Fabbio Galatioto*

All the celebrities go to Sass Café

The Sass Café allure has attracted countless international personalities over the years and the restaurant’s Wall of Fame shows snaps featuring the likes of Sean Penn, Sharon Stone, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Bono all enjoying the scene.

It is a rich history that will be celebrated in style every night this year, as they have done for three decades, with Sassa, now 85-years-old, still seated in the first row, where he has been every evening since 1993.

Click on the gallery below for more photographs of Monaco’s Sass Café:

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Photos courtesy of Sass Café / Fabbio Galatioto

Sailing: Team Malizia overcome adversity to win third leg of Ocean Race

by: Luke Entwistle

04/04/2023

After 34 days, 17 hours, 10 minutes, 28 seconds and 14,714 nautical miles, Team Malizia arrived in Itajaí, Brazil, and claimed victory in the third leg of the Ocean Race.

The third leg, which began in Cape Town, South Africa, over a month ago was the toughest, but also the most rewarding for the crew of the Yacht Club of Monaco (YCM) boat Malizia Seaexplorer.

After initially getting a good launch, Boris Hermann and his crew’s race was almost ended by a severely damaged mast. Team Malizia considered returning to Cape Town to carry out repairs, but instead fixed the mast during a two-day operation at sea.

The setback allowed Team Holcin-PRB to take the lead. However, Herrmann’s crew kept in hot pursuit, and by the time they had passed south of New Zealand, the Monégasque team were within 10 nautical miles of their rivals. They took the lead not long after.

In the heat of the battle in the Southern Ocean, Rosalin Kuiper was thrown from her bunk, hitting her head, which forced her to be rested for the rest of the leg. Team Malizia were therefore on a three-person shift rotation, and they would face some Dantesque conditions before the race was over.

As Team Malizia and Holcin-PRB passed Cape Horn, only 30 nautical miles separated the teams. The final sprint up Brazil’s east coast looked set to be thrilling, and a storm on Friday and Saturday only added to the tension.

“It worked out beyond our expectations.”

“It was pretty tense,” admitted Herrmann, who had to contend with choppy seas and a low-pressure system generating 40-plus knots. However, Team Malizia rode the storm and took the victory in what was the longest leg in the history of this crewed round-the-world race.

“Winning this leg is an unreal moment. It’s taken time to realise what we’ve achieved, that the dream is coming true… Dreaming of doing The Ocean Race, doing this amazing leg through the Southern Ocean, finishing it after all the trouble we had early on, and winning it!” said Herrmann.

The Malizia Seaexplorer skipper continued, “Four weeks ago, if I had been told, ‘Repair your mast because you might win this leg,’ I would not have believed it and said, ‘That’s not possible, we are too far behind and we can’t push the boat anymore…’ But it worked out beyond our expectations. This was a full team win, and I’m very proud of what we achieved.”

Having arrived in Brazil on Saturday night, the flotilla sets sail once more on 23rd April as they head to Newport, USA.

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Photo by Monaco Yacht Club

“New Gastronomic Destination”: Monaco’s restaurant scene honoured by La Liste

by: Elsa Carpenter

04/04/2023

No stars shone brighter than those of Monaco at La Liste’s Special Mediterranean Awards, which were hosted by the Hôtel Hermitage and attended by Prince Albert II.

On a night that championed the excellence and diversity of Mediterranean gastronomy, Monaco’s own restaurant scene was front and centre thanks to its role as host of the inaugural event as well as the multiple awards picked up by chefs and establishments within the Principality.

Creativity and sustainability in Monaco

Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse, currently ranked 14th Best Restaurant in the World by La Liste, was given the special Award of Honour for its 35 years of culinary creativity. Ducasse was there in person to receive the award in the presence of some 25 former students who are now spread across the region.

The Ethical and Sustainability Award went to Chef Mélanie Serre of Elsa at Monte-Carlo Beach following appraisal for her renowned approach to seasonality and organic and locally sourced produce.

The New Gastronomic Destination Award went to Monaco. It was the crowning jewel of the night; a powerful reflection of the reputation this small state has been able to cultivate as a leader of the culinary arts.

Local French restaurants benefit from the limelight

Bruno Cirino’s Hostellerie Jerôme in La Turbie was one of three addresses to win the Artisan and Authenticity Award, alongside Dar El Jeld in Tunis and Tenuta Nannina in Campania.

Meanwhile Le Restaurant des Rois in Beaulieu was named Best Terrace and La Chèvre d’Or of Èze clinched the title of Best Sea View.

“Food has the power to unite us more than ever before,” said Philippe Faure, the resident and founder of La Liste, on the night. “While the Mediterranean region is vast and diverse, both geographically and culturally, we can all come together at the table.”

And they did. In all, chefs and restaurateurs from 20 Mediterranean countries attended the event, which served up a menu created by four of the region’s – if not the world’s – best chefs. The result was an inspiring collaboration between Emmanuel Pilon of Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse, Massimo Bottura of Osteria Francescana, Clare Smyth of Core by Clare Smyth and French pastry chef Jessica Préalpato.

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Photo source: SBM

The Champagne and Oysters CC bike ride to return in aid of Princess Charlene Foundation

by: Stephanie Horsman

03/04/2023

The Champagne and Oysters Cycle Club’s fundraising bike ride from St. Tropez to Monaco is scheduled for this April, offering an opportunity for professional and amateur cyclists to pedal for a good cause.

Due to Covid, it’s been four years since the last charity bike ride. This year’s 140km route kicks off on Sunday 23^rd April at 8am from St. Tropez, with cyclists estimated to arrive in Monaco at 5pm. The event then wraps up with a fun-filled street party, including food and live music, to celebrate the end of the ride.

The COCC was established in 2011 by seven friends with a passion for cycling. The club has grown over the years, and the annual fundraising bike ride from St. Tropez to Monaco now attracts support from celebrities and international personalities. Past riders have included HSH Prince Albert II, professional cyclists, and Formula One drivers.

Pedal for a cause

The annual bike ride, now in its 9th year, will donate the funds raised to the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, an organisation which works to improve water safety for everyone through a range of programmes, including teaching children to swim.

Established in 2012 by Princess Charlene, a former Olympic swimmer, the foundation has helped more than 1,000,000 people through over 510 projects spanning more than 43 countries.

“Anyone who sees what the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation does should be willing to support,” said COCC co-founder Damian Crean.

*COCC riders arrive for lunch at Ma Nolan’s Nice Port in 2019. Photo provided*

Sponsorship opportunities

Each year, the bike ride raises around 100,000€, and this year the organisers are hoping to raise even more by encouraging Monaco businesses to get behind the cause by either donating directly to the foundation or sponsoring the event.

For businesses wishing to sponsor the COCC Bike Ride there are a variety of options. Riders are welcome to donate as well, with participants required to raise a minimum of 1,000€ in sponsorship. This also covers the riders’ professional kit, mechanical backup, insurance, brunch at the halfway point, water and energy supplies, as well as a contribution to the charity and one ticket for the after-party.

Become part of the event

If you are interested in taking part in this year’s ride, application forms are available on the website www.coccmonaco.com/apply, or by email info@coccmonaco.com,

The deadline for the applications is Wednesday, March 1st!

Note: This article was originally published on 27th February 2023.

Monaco et Suisse Investment Forum opens its arms to an international crowd

by: Stephanie Horsman

03/04/2023

The Monaco et Suisse Investment Forum took on a decidedly international flair this year, inviting exhibitors from around Europe and the Middle East to join its already impressive cache.

Held on 17th March at the Yacht Club of Monaco, the Monaco et Suisse Investment Forum saw investors, entrepreneurs, family offices and end-use customers come together for a day of networking, talks and conferences that were designed to showcase the possibilities of collaborations between businesses in Monaco and Switzerland.

This year, there was an added element in that companies from Romania, Luxembourg, Germany and the United Arab Emirates were also invited to attend, giving the event a broader scope of potential investors and partnerships.

On the agenda: real estate, yachts, aviation, tech and sustainability

There were a total of seven conferences, which covered multiple topics from Swiss tourism to the economy of the Principality, and from sustainability to micro-finance investments and the private jet industry.

Raffaello Cairoli, the director of the Monaco et Suisse Investment Forum and co-founder of Cairoli Monaco Luxury Services, opened the day with a welcome speech for the 280 guests in attendance.

This was followed by a number of enlightening talks from major Monaco players who have links to the forum, such as Brand Therapy creator Trudy Berger, L-Evento founder Sheila De Lucia, Repeople’s Paolo Caspani, Business Development Manager at the Monaco Economic Board Margherita Colombo Pastorelli, Guy Antognelli of the Monaco Tourist and Convention Authority, Massimo Boni representing the Lugano region, and Luca Sassi of EFG Bank Monaco.

Amongst the prestigious invitees were representatives from top drawer real estate agencies and developers, yacht companies, financial services, the design and gaming industries, the aviation sector, and sustainability experts.

In addition to the networking event, guests were invited to two other social gatherings. The first preceded the main event with a VIP invite to the McLaren boutique on the evening of 16th March. Guests created new connections while tasting wines from Tenuta Torciano Winery and sampling a delicious menu by Chef Renato Bernardi. To close the forum on a high, guests at the Yacht Club de Monaco were later invited to Caffé Milano for a more casual get-together at this harbour-side Monaco icon.