The Monaco Yacht Club was the final scene in a series of exclusive events last week that featured two NASA astronauts and showcased Axiom Space, the company designing the world’s first commercial space station.
In the third of three special ‘Astronaut’ events put on by My Yacht Group, the Monaco Yacht Club was the site for an ‘Angelic Evening’, a reception party that featured wines from Château d’Esclans, makers of Whispering Angel, in keeping with the theme of the night.
It followed two intimate dinners organised in conjunction with Monaco Private Label at the Hermitage Hotel and aboard a private superyacht, where two NASA astronauts – Michael Lopez-Alegria and Nicole Stott, gave guests the opportunity to discover Axiom Space, the American company that is looking to make space tourism a reality in our time.
Left to right: Nicholas Frankl, Tejpaul Bhatia (Axiom Space), Nicole Stott, Cdr. Michael Lopez-Alegría
Michael Lopez-Alegria is a Hall of Fame astronaut who has spent 257 days in space and made 67 spacewalks in his career. He spoke to the gathering about what it was like to hover 402 kilometres above the earth. He is currently in training to take on his fifth space mission coming up in February 2022, when the commander will be at the helm of Axiom’s first fully private mission to the International Space Station.
Joining him was seasoned space veteran Nicole Stott, who has spent a total of 104 days in space and is the 10th woman ever to perform a spacewalk. She also is notably the first person ever to have painted a watercolour whilst orbiting the planet. Stott’s pursuits have also taken her underwater where she was part of NASA’s Aquanaut team on the Aquarius undersea lab, undertaking an 18-day mission to explore the depths of the oceans.
During the YCM dinner, guests enjoyed a Whispering Angel-fuelled evening and truffle-based menu. This was followed by live music and dancing until the wee hours.
Lest the evening seem to be all high-flying fun and games, there was also a charity aspect with the reception raising awareness for YachtAid Global, an organisation that works in conservation efforts, disaster relief and humanitarian aid projects.
My Yacht Group will be holding similar Astronaut Dinners at select cities in the coming months.
Click on the images below to see more highlights…
Top photo of Nicholas and Annabelle Frankl, the brother-sister team behind My Yacht Group
Sharon Stone dazzles as guest of honour at Monte-Carlo Gala
Glamour was back in full force Thursday as Monaco staged the Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health, this year for the first time ever at the Palace, where the Princely family welcomed celebrities and VIPs for the exclusive Prince Albert Foundation charity event.
It was the fifth edition of the Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health, the year’s largest fundraising event for the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and American actress Sharon Stone was the night’s Guest of Honour, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for her years of work towards humanitarian efforts and the empowerment of women. The 63-year-old looked luminous in a dramatic lilac coloured gown that trailed gracefully behind her as she made her way up the “red” carpet in strappy black heels.
“It is a joy and an honor to share this evening with my long-time dear friend and compatriot His Serene Highness Prince Albert of Monaco,” said Sharon Stone during her acceptance speech. “We have known each other our entire adult lives and once again our friendship deepens as we share this common goal. It is with great humility that I accept this honour to serve at His command.”
Sharon Stone attends the 5th Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health. Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
In reference to the health of our world and ourselves during the pandemic, Stone added, “One of the things that happens most directly during these times that we stay alone is that we understand the importance of being present. When you see what’s happening to our environment, we understand most predominately what being present in ourselves and in our world means.”
Though perhaps known best for her work in films such as Basic Instinct and Casino, Sharon Stone has been honoured with a Nobel Peace Summit Award, a Harvard Humanitarian Award, a Human Rights Campaign Humanitarian Award, and an Einstein Spirit Award, among others. Her role as producer in the documentary My Name Is Water contributed to both awareness and funding towards clean water, wells, rainwater harvesting structures, and more in rural Sub-Saharan, Africa.
Stone was joined by British star Orlando Bloom, who made the appearance without fiancée Katy Perry and looked dashing in a traditional tuxedo, as well as model Victoria Silvstedt, who looked stunning in a baby pink gown with a matching cape and sky-high silver sandals.
Prince Albert II was joined by his sister, the ever-elegant Caroline, Princess of Hanover who debuted her new grey bobbed hairstyle and wore a beautiful brocade gown.
Victoria Silvstedt at the Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health, photo @victoriasilvstedt instagram
Prince Albert addressed the audience with a reminder of the continuing theme of the Gala – the protection of our environment and the impact of climate change: “We must refuse to close our eyes faced with situations that concern us all, whatever our circumstances and wherever we live…the deterioration of the ocean has devastating effects on the coastal population and on humanity as a whole…plastic pollution contaminates the food chain and contaminates each one of us…that the disappearance of the most fragile ecosystems, such as the corals, will deprive us of essential resources in the future.”
This year, the Prince’s Foundation joined forces with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, which is committed to both saving and inspiring young lives with educational and development initiatives through sports.
Unable to attend the gala in person, the Princess sent a message from South Africa, saying: “My Foundation and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation joined forces a few years ago to develop a number of projects directed to clean our Mediterranean sea of plastics, and more largely, oceans around the world. I was not able to join this evening, but I would like to thank you all for your support and generosity. It is my strong engagement and determination to support these projects, as we have an immense responsibility towards our future generations with the state of the Planet they will inherit from us.”
Auction items this year included an arctic expedition to the North Pole with Prince Albert, a custom-made Van Cleef & Arpels sapphire and diamond pendant created from the Ocean tiara of Princess Charlene, a Porsche Taycan Turbo S (the very first electric Porsche) from Prince Albert’s personal collection, and a studio visit and creation of custom artwork from Jeff Koons.
Proceeds go towards helping the Prince Albert Foundation fulfil its mission to help develop marine protected areas and protect threatened wildlife species, as well as promote actions to mitigate the impact of climate change and acidification on the ocean and to fight against plastic pollution.
Sharon Stone joins a prestigious list of past honourees – Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, Robert Redford and Sting.
By Cassandra Tanti/Stephanie Horsman. Top photo: Caroline, Princess of Hanover, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Sharon Stone, by Eric Mathon Palais Princier
Divine food and beautiful locations with amazing chefs over seven weeks will be the hallmarks of SBM’s latest culinary event which will take place from the end of September through to mid-January.
After the huge success of the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) summer event, the ‘Festival of Stars’, the group has decided to continue giving patrons gastronomical delights into the autumn and beyond with their latest offering of a series of themed culinary weeks.
From 27th September to 16th January, SBM bistros, restaurants and brasseries will take turns hosting seven week-long events giving visitors the chance to discover new spots and rediscover old favourites.
The event kicks off on 27th September at Le Deck at Monte-Carlo Beach with a Greek-themed week, where chef Pascal Garrigues will prepare a selection of Hellenic delicacies for lunch until 3rd October to end the beach season with a bang.
Then from 11th to 17th October, guests will get a Caribbean vibe from chef Marcel Ravin at Mada One where he takes his “snackonomy” concept to a whole new level. The chef, who hails from the French island of Martinique, is embracing his heritage and sharing it with the scents and flavours of his native land.
Up next is Limùn at the Hermitage Monte-Carlo where chef Jean-Philippe Borro and his team will provide delicious meals made from the restaurant’s very own vegetable garden. Titled ‘From land to plate’, the week of 25th to 31st October will be dedicated to fresh, healthy and tasty choices.
The cuisine of Monaco is the next to be celebrated at Le Salon Rose from 15th to 21st November in honour of National Day. All week, Le Salon Rose will be offering local specialities from the kitchen of chef Thierry Saez-Manzanares at both lunch and dinner.
L’Orange Vert at the Monte-Carlo Bay will be taking patrons to the Far East from 29th November to 5thDecember where chef Marcel Ravin will be tempting tastebuds with the exotic spices and subtle flavours of the Orient.
From 6th to 12th December, the Café de Paris will feature a week of treasures from the seas. The end of the year will be celebrated with glorious arrays of shellfish which can be eaten on site or taken home to be enjoyed.
Finally, from 10th to 16th January, L’Hirondelle will offer detox cuisine to wash away the sins of the festive season at Thermes Marin Monte-Carlo. Chef Jean-Laurent Basile will feature wellness cuisine that will make patrons feel lighter and cleaner after the excesses of the holidays fade away.
All the events will be held in compliance with the latest health measures. Reservations are recommended and can be made at the individual locations.
As the doors burst open on the Monaco Yacht Show 2021, you can hear the persistent pop of Champagne corks – the Show’s very own music sheet, a suitable background sonata to the greetings “at a distance” and elbow “handshakes” of an industry that hasn’t met up together in two long years.
As the fizz starts to flow, the elbow bumps will be replaced with backslaps, bear hugs and les bises. As a gambling gal, that’s what I say anyway.
The Champagne du Comte de Monte-Carlo is the official tipple at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show, and the man behind the bubbles is not the Comte de Monte-Carlo, but Philippe Melliard, President of Monte-Carlo Lifestyle.
The Comte de Monte-Carlo does not exist, but Baron Christian Louis de Massy does. He is the son of Princess Antoinette of Monaco, the Baroness de Massy and tennis champion Alexandre-Athenase Noghés, the man who created the Grand Prix.
The Baron, first cousin to Prince Albert II, created a portfolio of 34 brands under the banner of ‘Monte-Carlo Lifestyle’, which he sold to Monsieur Melliard. The Champagne du Comte de Monte-Carlo is part of this portfolio that was created in 2019. “Le Comte does not exist, but if he did he would be refined, elegant and ethical in all his dealings be they financial or philanthropic,” saysMelliard. “We have selected Champagne from the best creators to offer unique wines belonging to a noble terroir.”
This is the first time our imaginary friend, Le Comte, and his Champagne attend the MYS with the aim of ricocheting Le Comte du Monte-Carlo Champagne into top position as the premier cru Champagne of choice. Says Melliard, “We only make premier cru Champagnes, unlike other well-known Champagne houses.”
Premier cru relates to an old-fashioned system of land evaluation and potential grape growth called L’Echelle des crus. All premier cru Champagnes must be made with grapes from premier cru villages/vineyards in Champagne, of which there are 44. There are 17 grand cru villages in the region. But according to the experts, don’t be dazzled by labels, let your tastebuds decide.
Melliard and the Monte-Carlo Lifestyle company have selected two particular winemakers to supply the premier cru Champagne: Olivier Herbert, whose family has been cultivating vines in the mountains of Reims for over a century, and Pierre Trichet, also from a long line of winegrowers in the Champagne-Ardenne region. “Concerned about environmental issues, the selected winegrowers have cultivated their land with love and passion for generations, committing themselves to preserving their land through sustainable viticulture methods,” explains Melliard. “Our chosen partner Champagne houses all have HVE3 certification: High Environmental Value, based on results indicators relating to biodiversity.”
Le Comte de Monte-Carlo Champagnes and the wine-growing partners offer up four different Champagnes, each one named after iconic locations relating to Monte Carlo. La Riviera (The Classic)
La Riviera is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. It is aged for four years on lees and dosed with eight grams of liqueur. Golden yellow with aromas of brioche and apricot, gingerbread and cinnamon on the palette. “It is smooth, round, a very pleasant aperitif and on any occasion,” explains Melliard. Grape variety: 40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier. It was bottled by Olivier Herbert in March 2015, with four years on slats. Le Sainte Dévote (The Bright)
Le Sainte Dévote is a ‘Blanc de Blancs’, thus 100% Chardonnay, and comes from the Pierre Trichet vineyard. It’s been aged four years and dosed with 7.8 grams of liqueur. This one is fresh, light with notes of citrus and violet, lemon and vanilla. Le Carré d’Or (The Radiant)
“Le Carré d’Or is a low pressure ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Champagne, 100% Chardonnay. Aged for three years by Pierre Trichet, the Champagne was made using a second fermentation at below three bars of pressure. It’s delicate, pale in colour with lovely bubbles,” explains this Champagne aficionado and businessman. Champagne Noblesse Oblige (The Epic)
Created by Olivier Herbert, this is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from 2010 and dosed with seven grams of traditional liqueur. Noblesse Oblige is complex and gourmet, says Melliard, with notes of truffle and walnut oil, good as an aperitif or can stand up to the gastronomy of great starred restaurants. “It’s lively, greedy and complex which makes it an unforgettable experience.”
If you dig a little deeper to get just a hint of the secrets of Champagne production, Mr Melliard is giving nothing away: “Then it wouldn’t be a secret!”, he says. But he will say that the Comte du Monte-Carlo will launch a limited Champagne collection at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show. So, Santé!
At Close Quarters with Philippe Melliard
Where were you born?
I was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, but I spent all of my childhood at Villars-sur Ollon in the Swiss Vaud Alps. A happy memory?
Walking in the mountains with my dog, Mico. If you weren’t President of Monte-Carlo Lifestyle, what would you be?
A mechanic. Your advice for someone seeking a career like yours?
Tenacity. The worst time of your career?
The financial crisis of 2008. The hardest part of your job?
Having to choose between different Champagnes! The best?
Tasting the Champagne. Of what are you most proud?
I’m proud of my extraordinary Champagne, worthy of any table. A favourite meal?
Rösti A person you admire?
Churchill! A favourite restaurant or place in Monaco?
Maya Bay or restaurant Avenue 31.
Monaco confirmed as E1 host city during RaceBird unveiling
Monaco Life was there for the exclusive unveiling of the first full size model of the electric RaceBird powerboat that will form the basis of a new E1 championship, to be hosted in Monaco and other locations worldwide.
Just one year after the series launch in Monaco, E1 hosted an exclusive event at the Yacht Club of Monaco on Monday night, where E1 Series Co-Founders Alejandro Agag and Rodi Basso were joined by Prince Albert II of Monaco, the boat’s designer Sophi Horne, Founder and CEO of Victory Marine Brunello Acampora, and UIM President Raffaele Chiulli to remove the covers from the revolutionary new vessel.
The unveiling of the full-scale model marks a major milestone for the championship as the E1 Series moves closer to putting the RaceBird on the water and the start of prototype testing early next year.
“Seeing the full-size boat like this for the first time, it’s starting to feel like the E1 Series is coming to life,” said Alejandro Agag, Co-Founder and Chairman of the E1 Series. “We revealed the digital designs ahead of World Oceans Day in June earlier this year, but to see the physical model is a massive step forward in terms of our preparations and it shows the fans what to expect when we start racing in early 2023.”
The E1 raceboat series is the latest venture for the Spanish businessman, who is also behind the Formula E and the Extreme E series.
UIM President Raffaele Chiulli, Alejandro Agag, Prince Albert, Designer Sophia Horne, Rodi Basso and Brunello Acampora, Photo by Lloyd Images/Getty Images
Also backing the E1 Series is the UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique), the world governing body for powerboating headquartered in Monaco, which took the opportunity on Monday to announce that Prince Albert is to become the UIM’s Honorary President.
“With this new boat, we’re all one big step closer to the realisation of a very ambitious and vitally-important vision,” said UIM President Raffaele Chiulli. “Very ambitious because E1 is entering new territory with this first electric-propulsion powerboat racing series, and vitally important because of the role E1 will play not just in raising awareness of the climate crisis but also in leading the delivery of solutions.”
The RaceBird will use innovative hydrofoil technology to rise above the water’s surface, allowing for minimum drag and maximum energy efficiency. In the coming months, the RaceBird engineers will focus on the integration of the battery and controls systems and how they work together with the powertrain, then they’ll incorporate the propulsion architecture to the platform ready to hit the water.
Afterwards, Victory Marine will manufacture a full fleet of race-ready electric powerboats for a 2023 race schedule.
The UIM E1 World Electric Powerboat Series ‘RaceBird’ prototype, photo by Lloyd Images/Getty Images
“In a time of giant technological changes, Victory Marine has accepted with enthusiasm this incredible opportunity to change the face of powerboating forever,” said Brunello Acampora, Founder and CEO of Victory Marine. “I’ve personally selected the best experts to support myself and Victory Marine in turning Sophi Horne’s and SeaBird’s vision into an electric racer. I’m also looking forward to transferring this technology to a new breed of consumer leisure craft.”
Sophi Horne, Founder of SeaBird Technologies, added: “I remember I used to spend a lot of time here in Monaco for my previous job and seeing presentations of different boats and my boss would tell me: ‘you will be doing this one day’, and I never believed it. Now we’re here presenting the RaceBird and it’s a bit emotional actually seeing my design… the final full-size model you see today really meets my expectations and looks really cool in the flesh.”
As well as providing an update on the technical roadmap for the RaceBird powerboat, it was also confirmed that Monaco will host a race in the inaugural season of the E1 Series, which is scheduled to start in early 2023.
The E1 Series will eventually be taken to 10 global race locations for a knockout-style race format involving short races close to shore.
Top photo left to right: Alejandro Agag, UIM President Raffaele Chiulli, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, Designer Sophia Horne, Founder & CEO of Victory Marine Brunello Acampora, and Rodi Basso attend the unveiling of the UIM E1 World Electric Powerboat Series ‘RaceBird’ prototype – the world’s first electric powerboat series, at Yacht Club de Monaco on September 20, 2021 in Monaco. Photo by Lloyd Images/Getty Images.
Prince Albert: "I hope you can also be ambassadors of a more sustainable world"
Monaco’s ambassadors, guests and Prince Albert have come together for a brilliant summer party organised by the Monaco Ambassadors Club, during which the Prince praised the efforts of the club and encouraged its members to also serve as ambassadors of the planet.
Reminiscent of the iconic beaches that line the famous Promenade des Anglais in Nice, ‘MAC Plage’ came to life at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort on Monday evening for the Last Days of Summer party, hosted by the Monaco Ambassadors Club (MAC).
The balmy night may have very well marked the last true summer’s eve for 2021, and guests were lapping up the beach atmosphere, accentuated by a beautiful display by luxury jeweller Pomellato. The champagne and Martinis flowed as the music played and guests mingled around the fountain, taking the opportunity to reconnect after a year marked by the pandemic.
Joining Prince Albert and 150 MAC members and guests were the Board of Directors of MAC, French Ambassador in the Principality Laurent Stefanini, and Lady Monika Bacardi.
In addressing the guests, MAC President Christian Moore said: “One of the things that we tried to do as a new board is to responsibalise what the club is supposed to do and carry the message of Monaco, which emulates a lot of positive, responsible and powerful messages that the world needs to hear today. I believe that with the strength of this club, its members and the power that we all possess in the worlds that you live in, to pass this message along so we can have better change for good.”
It was a message that was emulated by the MAC’s Honorary President, Prince Albert of Monaco, who thanked Christian and the club’s members, before adding: “It is very important as we struggle to reach a normal life after the pandemic that we reflect on what caused this pandemic and what is at the root of many of our problems, and the crises that affect the world today – the lack of interactions between us humans and our natural surroundings. If we get a better understanding of what natural eco-systems, both terrestrial and marine, can provide for us, we will be better off.
“So, to go forward, we can not go back to a world of business as usual, we have to live more sustainable lives and think of our impact, all of our impacts, on this planet. I hope that in Monaco, with what we’ve tried to do in terms of clean mobilities and all the different schemes that we have put together, that we can be at our scale an example for others to follow. I hope that you can all be a part of this, that you can be ambassadors also of a more sustainable world and more sustainable societies for others to follow.”
The Monaco Ambassadors Club is a non-profit association that was founded in 1973 with the encouragement of Princess Grace of Monaco. The goal of the founders, who came from more than 40 different countries, was to defend and promote the values of the Principality of Monaco throughout the world.
Over 45 years later, under the Honorary Presidency of Prince Albert II of Monaco, the Club continues its activities today, bringing together communities of different backgrounds and cultures while keeping political and religious neutrality, in a spirit of international friendship and multi-ethnicity.
Other major MAC events of the year include the Goodwill Gala and the Christmas Gala.
Top photo: Prince Albert with the MAC Board of Directors, left to right – Christian Eidem, Alessandra Sparaco, Christian Moore, Mike Powers and Jean-Paul Goodwin. Photos supplied by the Monaco Ambassadors Club
All the headlines and highlights from Monaco, direct to you every morning
The champagne and Martinis flowed as the music played and guests mingled around the fountain, taking the opportunity to reconnect after a year marked by the pandemic.
