The Princely Family members launched the event on March 8, 2024, at the Espace Léo Ferré.
Always keen to support a good cause, Prince Albert II came by the Espace Léo Ferré with Princess Stéphanie, for International Women’s Rights Day. Organised by the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights, PowHer was THE event at the beginning of the month. Featuring conferences, round tables and activities dedicated to women, the Princely Family opened the event at 9 am.
“Equality, caring, together”. These were the powerful words that the Prince hung on the pink wishing tree, at the entrance to the hall. A wish for gender equality in the form of a message aimed at women, but also at men. Princess Stéphanie and Louise Cordeau, President of Quebec’s Council on the Status of Women in Quebec, followed suit to mark the inauguration of PowHer.
After a fine speech by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, it was time for the guests of honour to take a quick tour. Each of the Committee members had the privilege of meeting with the Prince and Princess to present their stand. They spoke with pride about their daily actions and their dedication to the cause the event was supporting. The Prince and Princess were attentive and understanding.
After an emotional start to the morning, the departure of the Princely Family marked the beginning of the activities, on four themes: education, work, health and sport.
All sorts of ‘magnificent flying machines” have been crossing the Monegasque skies for almost 120 years.
Did you know that the first helicopter flight in history took place in Monaco? In 1905, during the construction of the Museum, the engineer Maurice Léger, encouraged by the Prince, carried out tests in one of the large halls. The aircraft stayed in the air for around fifteen seconds, a real feat at the time. Decades later, more modern helicopters would be crossing the Côte d’Azur skies to land on Monegasque soil. But in addition to that first successful attempt, the Principality had a special bond with aviation and its early beginnings.
On 24 March 1912, Monaco hosted a major aeronautical event, an unprecedented competition between hydroplanes and eight aviators from all around the world. The world’s very first hydro-aeroplane competition was won by Franco-British brothers Henry and Maurice Farman. Henry Farman’s plane was flown by aviator Jules Fischer, who walked away with 8,000 francs in prize money.
France’s Renaux came second with the biplane designed by Maurice Farman. With its Renault V8 engine and 70 hp, the aircraft earned the pilot 4,000 francs. At that time, and for many years thereafter, seaplanes and biplanes were omnipresent in the Principality. These aircraft, fitted with two stacked aerofoils, had their moment of glory during the First World War and were subsequently eclipsed by the monoplane and its single pair of wings by the end of the 1930s.
Aviation in Monaco is also about helicopters. It’s not unusual to hear the drone of propellers in the Fontvieille neighbourhood. When the summer events are on, the Monaco heliport records up to 800 take-offs or landings per day. The Director of Monegasque Civil Aviation welcomed us on site. “Monaco’s first provisional helipad was created in 1976, and the heliport was built in 1981,” says Jérôme Journet, describing the early days of a fast-growing business.
“The helicopter market, travelling by helicopter, on such a large scale, is unique in Europe. There is no real equivalent in the field of commercial transportation at this level. That applies to Monaco and, more generally, the whole of the Côte d’Azur,” explains the École Nationale de l’Aviation Civile graduate engineer.
“It’s very unusual. It’s to do with the main towns being on the coast, so it’s maritime overflight. It gets around the issue of noise pollution and urban overflights, and that’s a huge advantage,” says Jérôme Journet, not forgetting to mention “that the Côte d’Azur clientele also lends itself to it.”
The helicopter terminal building was built, along with offices, a few years later, in 1987. These are still used every day by the heliport’s staff and customers, however work was carried out over a year ago to renovate the premises, which had fallen into disrepair. “In 1991, new landing pads arrived, plus retractable platforms on the sides, to be able to accommodate wide-body aircraft ,” says the Director of Civil Aviation. A system that is “probably unique in the world,” suited to the location of the heliport and the Mediterranean swell from which the infrastructure needs to be protected.
At around the same time as the buildings were being completed, two Monegasque airlines emerged. Héli Air Monaco was founded in 1976 by brothers Patrick and Jacques Crovetto and their father Maurice, then Monacair in 1988 by Stefano Casiraghi. The Principality’s two operators grew the business. “They soon conquered the market, which was very specific and had no real equivalent.”
“It’s a very seasonal market. Because of the helicopter’s range, the bulk of the market today is for services to the Côte d’Azur, the mountains, Italy and Switzerland,” Jerôme Journet explains. And one of the main routes is between Monaco and Nice Airport, which takes just seven minutes. It’s a service that both Monegasque companies offer and that is particularly popular in the summer and during high-profile events. It costs just under 200€ a flight. “Depending on the year, it can represent half of all heliport traffic.”
The next step for Monegasque aviation: rebuilding the heliport’s hangars. Together, over the next few years, the State and the Principality’s airlines will be refurbishing the infrastructure, which is vital to the local air market.
The Monegasque resident is constantly on a war footing with companies he considers ‘brand thieves’. Another battle is imminent.
On Sunday 10 March Sir Stelios spoke to The Observer, ahead of a fresh court case alleging an intellectual property breach regarding his beloved easy brand.
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou defends his strategy of – frequently – calling out companies he believes ‘create confusion’ in the minds of consumers, and seek to surf on the easyGroup’s reputation.
There have been cases where the ‘easy’ prefix has been used without authorisation, and therefore without paying licence royalties into the easyGroup, through which Sir Stelios finances much of his philanthropic activities.
Easy pickings?
Some consider him a “corporate bully.” As the Observer puts it, the billionaire “practically makes a living from arguing”. Last year, the British pop group Easy Life were forced to change their band’s name, as they couldn’t afford to fight easyGroup in the courts.
Others argue that ‘easy’ is an everyday word, and as such it is “unedifying” to claim intellectual property rights on it in a business context. Sir Stelios disagrees. “We have a duty to protect the consumer against confusion. I’m not the only one who has made an ordinary word a trademark,” he says, citing Virgin and Apple. He also justifies his defence of the brand as vital in a business environment that is dominated by search engines.
For the upcoming case, Sir Stelios is taking on easyfundraising. They say their logo is a bright yellow. “I think it’s pale orange,” counters Haji-Ioannou. Perhaps, but surely not the easyJet orange, which is Pantone 021C? “It’s for the judge to decide if [easyfundraising]’s logo is too close. I’ve seen enough judgments now to know it could go either way,” he states.
“An army of lawyers”
“So is publicly scrapping with other companies over intellectual property how a knighted tycoon should spend his time?” asks the Observer.
“We have an army of lawyers: that’s what they’re paid to do. A percentage of the royalties we receive goes to lawyers to stop people using the name without permission,” says the billionaire, estimating that a “ninth” of his time is spent on these legal tussles.
The for-profit platform, easyfundraising, which was launched in 2005, describes itself as “the UK’s biggest charity shopping site”, raising money for causes via online retailers paying cashback. There is also revenue from advertising. The new logo dates from 2022.
Haji-Ioannou’s “army” is said to have found less than 10% of a random sample of over 2,000 such causes were registered charities. The company says the sample is not representative and that it has “never professed” to only support charities.
Will the courts find that, as is claimed, the new logo was created with the “utmost care to avoid any comparison or confusion with easyGroup” and that Sir Stelios’ claims of trademark infringement are “baseless accusations” ?
The easyGroup lawyers will claim: “This is a business that makes money out of two lies – pretending to be a charity when they’re not to get people to use their services, and pretending to be something to do with easyJet so people trust them with their money.”
The Place d’Armes food halls will be decked out in green white and gold on 17 March 2024.
It’s almost time to dig out your best costumes. As every year, the Principality will be celebrating St Patrick’s Day on Sunday 17 March. The whole town will be going green in honour of the traditional Irish national holiday. Always up for a celebration, La Condamine market is organising a special day to mark the occasion.
From 12 noon onwards, you’ll be able to see your favourite shopkeepers dressed in their finest Irish costume. The atmosphere will transport you straight to the Emerald Isle, with decorations, music, traditional dishes and a group of Irish dancers.
There’s no need to book – entry is free and open to all. So, happy St Patrick’s Day!
AS Monaco secured a crucial 0-1 victory on the road at RC Strasbourg to claim all three points, in a fiercely contested match at the Stade de la Meinau.
In a game full of tense moments, Les Monegasques did just enough to prevail, with super sub Eliesse Ben Seghir proving the match-winner.
With this in mind, this gives us the opportunity to focus on three takeaways from this tight encounter.
Ben Seghir’s brilliance
Having endured some torrid injury struggles this season, it was brilliant to see Ben Seghir come off the bench to score the sealer for Monaco.
Ben Seghir’s superb goal
Not only did he draw the headlines with his strike, but he also caught the eye with his creative passing and slick movement to make a real nuisance of himself on his way to completing six touches inside the box, three dribbles and three shots in just 35 minutes of action.
Ben Seghir’s heat map
Neat pass by Ben Seghir
Giving the team the spark they needed going forward against the spirited Strasbourg, it was a joy to watch the gifted sensation flexing his muscles.
“It’s true that the start of the season was very complicated for me, with my two injuries. It’s never easy to watch your teammates’ matches without being able to help them. But I think this goal will do me good for my confidence. Today it allows us to gain three new points to achieve our objectives. This can only do us good,” he explained.
“It feels good to take a few minutes at each meeting. It wasn’t always easy since returning from injury, but now I’m gaining playing time and confidence. This goal is what I needed.”
Adi Hutter also expressed his delight at the youngster’s performance, which will give Ben Seghir an extra boost that he can keep gaining momentum in the coming weeks.
Terrific away form continues
While they’ve had their issues at home consistently stringing results together, there’s no doubting what a force to be reckoned with Les Rouge et Blanc have been on the road. And this match was no different, for this triumph extended their brilliant undefeated away record to six matches.
Moreover, the fact they’ve won five of those six fixtures against the likes of RC Lens, OGC Nice and Rennes accentuates what sparkling form they’ve been in outside of the Stade Louis II.
Away form graphic
Despite them not playing anywhere near their best, it was positive that they still secured maximum points, which is always a good sign.
With crucial away days on the horizon against Metz, Brest, Lyon and Montpellier to close the campaign for Monaco, who have the second best away record in Ligue 1 behind only Paris Saint-Germain (28) on 25 points, this will be pivotal in determining their final finishing position in the standings.
Second straight clean sheet
Monaco importantly registered their second consecutive clean sheet, which was massive given their issues achieving shutouts of late.
Looking solid, organised and disciplined, there’s been much to like about their uptick defensively, with the presence of Radoslaw Majecki in goal notably having a key influence.
Performing soundly individually and collectively, with all the players on the same page and well aware of their roles and responsibilities, Hutter will be hoping they can keep up their level.
Monaco’s ball recoveries map
Doing a fantastic job of limiting Strasbourg, just like they did against the mighty PSG last weekend, it was admirable how they restricted Patrick Vieira’s team to zero big chances created, an expected goals reading of 0.38, six total shots and just one shot on target.
Strasbourg shot map
“It was very important to win this afternoon, with a second clean sheet in a row. It’s never easy to play in Strasbourg, especially with this atmosphere. Radek put in a good performance. We managed to take the three points against a team that plays in a low block. I hope we will have learned from previous matches. The final sprint is launched, there are nine matches remaining. We will see where we will be at the end of the season,” insisted Hutter.
With just nine Ligue 1 matches remaining, this stopping solidity could be pivotal towards their Champions League qualification hopes, especially once their immensely talented frontline starts firing on all cylinders again.
The Roca Team won (98-80) on Thursday evening, March 7, against Red Star Belgrade. Mike James took the opportunity to become the highest scorer in Euroleague history.
It was a night to remember.
At precisely 7.43 pm and 3’53 from the end of the second quarter, Mike James had scored the 12 points he needed to become the highest scorer in the history of the European competition, with 4464 points to his credit, ahead of the legendary Vasílios Spanoúlis.
A huge ovation for a huge achievement
It was a unique performance, plus it was at home in a packed Gaston-Médecin auditorium that gave its playmaker a huge ovation.
“It was a real high for me. The fans gave me a great ovation. It’s a unique feeling to know that people appreciate what you do,” he said at the press conference. “But I was mostly focused on winning the game. I think it’ll hit me more when I’m older, and I can look back on it.”
The Roca Team had a busy match, led by Elie Okobo (14 points, 7 assists) and Donta Hall (10 points, 5/5 shots). Giving them a seventh consecutive Euroleague victory. The next match for Sasa Obradovic’s men is on Thursday, March 14 (20h) at Alba Berlin, currently bottom of the table.
Dreamt up by Frédéric Vitteaud and Denis Maccario, President of the Fondation Flavien, the event will feature well-known artists on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
A musical evening for a good cause. ‘Pouce la vie’ has been organising musical events, in aid of the Flavien Foundation, since 2018. Created in 2014 by Denis Maccario, in honour of his son who died of cancer at the age of eight, the charity organises many initiatives in its fight to treat the disease. For this sixth edition, the proceeds from the event will again be donated to paediatric cancer research. The concert will begin at 8 pm at the Rainier III Auditorium and will end at 10.30 pm.
The official poster for ‘Pouce la Vie’ 2024
An anniversary concert, a ten-year struggle
For the 10th anniversary of the Fondation Flavien , the composer, arranger, pianist and legendary patron of «Pouce la Vie», Yvan Cassar, is inviting his friends and artists, Greg Zlap on the harmonica, Joël Chausse on the trumpet and Julie Sévilla-Fraysse, on the cello. Call me Winston – The Tarantino Tribute band, with its 10 musicians et singers, will share the stage with them.
The event, presented by Yann-Antony Noghès, will feature music from the cinema. You’ll be treated to songs from the Quentin Tarantino movies, and the melodies of Ennio Morricone, Dave Grusin and Luis Bacalov.
A snack bar will be available from 7 pm, when doors open. Public parking is available nearby. Free seating. Reservations can be made by phone on +377 92 00 13 70, in the Atrium at the Casino de Monte-Carlo (from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 am to 5.30 pm), on the internet or on the door.
Some of the Principality’s top restaurants offer quick, tasty and inexpensive lunch menus. Good news for the local clientele!
Le Caffè Milano
Caffè Milano offers a business lunch including a main course, glass of wine and coffee, in its chic and relaxed atmosphere, Prices vary between 22 and 26 euros depending on your choice: pasta, fish or meat.
However if you want a starter, it will cost at least €22 extra.
The Caffè Milano à la carte menu includes a wide range of dishes from 20 to 40 euros. The cuisine is inspired by the Principality’s Mediterranean flavours.
Lobby Lounge Restaurant & Bar – Fairmont Monte Carlo
Located at the famous Fairmont Hotel, the Lobby Lounge offers French ‘bistronomy’ with gourmet and generous classics. The Lunch Menu at 32 euros will certainly be a treat for your taste buds.
With something from the grill, a drink and a gourmet coffee, lunch here allows you to enjoy the experience of a luxury establishment at a reasonable price.
Le Quai des Artistes
On Port Hercule, the Quai des Artistes provides a taste of the great Parisian brasseries from the Belle Époque, both in your plate and in the setting.
Although the structure of the menu is set, with either starter and main course, or main course and dessert, the dishes change from day to day and with the seasons. The alcohol-free menu costs 24 euros, the version with an alcoholic beverage is at 27 euros.
This attracts “a local clientele who come to eat quickly and at a reasonable price” according to Alfredo, a waiter at the Quai des Artistes. “It’s our core business, it keeps the restaurant going,” he adds.
A quick trip to Belgium on your lunch break? Smakelijk marries the feel of an authentic Belgian brasserie and a view of the Mediterranean.
The lunch menu includes a starter, main course, water and coffee for only 26 euros. Gourmet and generous food is the order of the day, with typical dishes such as mussels and fries.
Mada One has an innovative concept of «snackonomy», it’s chic and varied.
The gourmet and refined cuisine suits those who want to eat ‘on the go’. The menu was designed by Marcel Ravin, providing a tasty Martinique-inspired lunch.
To take away or eat in, you can enjoy a ‘Plateau Mad’Day’ from 28 euros, which includes the starter and dish of the day.
La Salière
Fontvieille port’s La Salière serves traditional Italian cuisine. It is the perfect spot to enjoy a pleasant meal in a lively and joyful setting.
The business lunch menu promises an affordable and delicious meal. Pizza, fish, meat, La Salière focuses on the tried and tested. You can choose from three different menus at 21, 24 and 26 euros, including coffee and a glass of wine.
The Beefbar provides a luxurious setting overlooking Fontvieille port, and a veritable taste experience for its meat-loving customers.
For lunch, the Beefbar serves a quinoa superbowl with fresh produce accompanied by a poultry supreme or grilled salmon for 28 euros. Alternatively, you can opt for the tagliata formula for 29 euros: starter or gazpacho of the day, then a tagliata with fresh fries. Both formulas include a glass of wine.
“The concept is always the same for each menu, but the starter and the dish of the day vary at the Beefbar depending on what’s in season” explains Riccardo Giraudi, director of the Monaco Restaurant Group, which includes the Beefbar. He adds:“This allows us to attract a local clientele, workers who want to have a quick sit-down restaurant lunch, at an affordable average price”.
Cantinetta Antinori is a great fine dining venue at Larvotto where Tuscan cuisine blends with exceptional wines.
If you’d like a taste of Italy, the restaurant has a set menu with starter and main course: the Cantinetta, at 29 euros. For starters, as an antipasti, would you rather have veal fillet or tomato soup? Then, for the main dish, the restaurant serves meat, fish or pasta of the day.
What better way to round off your meal than with a glass of Villa Antinori white wine. There is also something for every taste (and colour) with glasses of red and rosé.
Cherry blossom, marble, and elegant wood… a Japanese atmosphere in Fontvieille. On the menu, the restaurant offers not one, but four selections.
The sushi lunch for 25 euros with a selection of sashimi, makis et rolls of the day. Products that “vary […] according to the availability of our fish and vegetables” explains Riccardo Giraudi (Moshi Moshi is also part of the Monaco Restaurant Group).
Alternatively, there’s a bento box menu for 28 euros with an assortment of vegetable and prawn tempura as well as a chirashi with a variety of fish and prawns. Otherwise, you could opt for the day’s ramen at 26 euros or put together a poke bowl for 27 euros. The menus “all include a glass of wine and are served quickly,” guarantees Riccardo Giraudi.
The Alter Designs brand is launching a pop-up boutique at the Metropole Shopping Centre.
Alter Designs, the inclusive and environmentally-responsible brand from designer Pauline Ducruet, is back in Monaco. The brand is presenting its new “Alter Racing Club” collection, a tribute to the designer’s roots with a nod to the Monaco Grand Prix. The pop-up store will run until 31 March at the Metropole Shopping Centre. The shop is open from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7.30 pm.
This year’s collection features pieces inspired by racing drivers’ outfits, including polo shirts emblazoned with badges from imaginary sports clubs, plenty of red, gold and silver, and a shiny chrome dress, all connected to the Grand Prix circuit.
Inside the shop, the ground floor will be taken up by the new collection, and the 2nd floor by the brand’s archives.
The constructors’ podium was the same as last week in Jeddah with Red Bull’s Verstappen and Perez in first and second, and Ferrari in 3rd place, but this time with Charles Leclerc at the wheel.
We’re two Grand Prix into the new season, and it looks like 2023 is coming back to haunt us. With a double victory for Red Bull and the three-time reigning world champion, the 2024 season is starting off on exactly the same footing as the previous one.
Which obviously suits Max Verstappen, who just notched up the 56th victory of his career and with the Austrian team which, despite the rumblings of the Horner affair behind the scenes, demonstrated once again on the track that it is absolutely unfazed.
Untouchable, the two Red Bulls left it to Charles Leclerc to pick up the crumbs, taking his first podium place this season, after a frustrating inaugural Grand Prix weekend.
Leclerc records fastest race lap
The Scuderia Ferrari driver, once again starting from second place on the grid, even treated himself to the fastest lap on the last one round the track. He moves up into third place in the Drivers’ World Championship, behind the two Red Bull drivers.
“We had pretty good pace, in fact we had the best lap in the race at the end. Overall, it felt pretty good but it must have seemed boring because the Red Bulls were way ahead. We took as many points as we could today,” the Monegasque told Canal+ in the post-race analysis. Six of those points were earned by Oliver Bearman, a rookie stand-in for Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who was operated on for appendicitis during the week. Bearman came 7th in a car he had driven for the first time the day before.
“Compared to last year, it’s a step forward,” continued Leclerc. “There was probably less adrenaline on my side because I was on my own, but it is one of the most physical circuits of the championship, it is hot, it is painful because there are a lot of fast turns, It makes things difficult but it’s also a lot of fun to race here.”
The next date on the calendar is March 24, the Australian Grand Prix.
Workshops, round tables, conferences: the Espace Léo Ferré was decked out in pink on 8 March 2024 for this special day.
The date is now firmly established as a day for celebrating and promoting women’s rights. And this year, the Espace Léo Ferré welcomed members of the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights, created in 2018. As guest of honour at the event, along with Princess Stéphanie and the President of the Conseil du statut de la femme Louise Cordeau, Prince Albert II placed his message on the wishing tree at the entrance to the hall. A symbolic gesture to kick the day off.
From 9am to 6pm, PowHer focused on four themes: education, health, work and sport. Workshops, round tables and conferences took place throughout the day. All of them were about a single cause: women’s rights.
“At the current pace of legislative changes, it would take 286 years to achieve equal rights between women and men,” said the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, in her opening speech. While there is no doubt that women’s rights have evolved over the years, the battle is far from over. “It’s important to remember that not so long ago, women’s rights were still restricted. The rights that have been earned must be protected,” she continued.
Around a dozen stands at the event pulled out all the stops to make their voices heard. Books, video games, cards, quizzes: goodies and prizes complemented the interactive activities on offer on the stands. From poetry readings to theatrical performances, there is more than one way of getting the message across.
For Natasha Frost-Savio, President of Pink Ribbon Monaco, no rights should be forgotten today: “Women’s health is an important issue. We’ve created a light-hearted guide to teach women how to take care of and protect their bodies”. Created by the Monegasque Red Cross, an equality wheel was an innovative way of learning more about women and breaking taboos.
“We’re so pleased to be meeting here today, it’s the culmination of five years’ work together,” enthused Céline Cottalorda, Interministerial Delegate for Women’s Rights. Even after so many years, it’s still vital to work together to raise awareness even more.
“We can all manage to do something on our own, but when we’re together, it’s even more visible. We’d like to be able to get together even more often, not just today, because women need to be supported every day,” says André-Pierre Couffet, President of AS Monaco Foot Féminin.
For artist/painter Toby Wright, the cause for women’s equality should also speak to men. “Every man has a woman in his life, a mother, a sister… The issue concerns us too, and it’s our duty to give women a voice,” he said, representing the ‘She Can He Can Monaco’ stand.
Breaking down stereotypes and changing mindsets, from an early age. Cécile Kappler, head of the National Education Information Centre, feels the day is an opportunity to encourage women to stop being afraid. “Girls don’t dare consider certain careers. They hold themselves back and that’s a shame, we’d like to change that,” she says. The event is an opportunity to show young girls that all professions are open to them: “Men can go into social work, and women can go into construction,” she concludes.
It’s a view that Thomas Martini, Head of Development at AS Monaco Foot Féminin, would also like to defend when it comes to sport. “We want to introduce young girls to all sports, without preconceptions. Football and rugby used to be for boys, but that’s no longer the case.”
Video games also featured. With and for women: “Children are realising that there aren’t just men in video games, they’re thinking ‘I’m going to try playing with women’s teams’, and they enjoy it,” says Nathan Tibaut, on the Médiathèque de Monaco stand.
AS Monaco recorded a crucial 0-1 away victory against Strasbourg, in a match where substitute Eliesse Ben Seghir proved the difference-maker in front of President Dmitry Rybolovlev.
The Match
Having beaten RC Lens and drawn with Paris Saint-Germain in their last two, Adi Hutter picked a strong side in hope of his ASM maintaining their momentum, making just the one change by bringing back Denis Zakaria following his suspension.
@ASM
With the match getting off to a slow start while the two outfits settled in, both teams then sprung into life just after the 10 minute mark with chances from Folarin Balogun and Dilane Bakwa respectively.
Strasbourg then had the better of the opportunities for the remainder of the half, with Balogun the only one for the visitors to muster some decent attempts, as the duelling parties headed to the break level.
Balogun came close to kicking off the second stanza in style by unleashing a decent effort that was blocked following some nice work by Takumi Minamino. Wilfried Singo then powered a header on goal only for it to be smartly saved, as Les Rouge et Blanc kept trying to break the deadlock.
Identifying the need to switch things up and try something new, Hutter made a triple substitution to bring on Ben Seghir, Ismail Jakobs and Maghnes Akliouche.
This change immediately paid off, for Ben Seghir bagged the winner after being set up by Akliouche to emphatically vindicate Hutter’s bold decision.
Star playmaker Aleksandr Golovin fired off some decent efforts in search of doubling Monaco’s advantage before Strasbourg mounted a surge to level the ledger.
While Les Monegasques produced some reasonable openings to extend their advantage at the death, they were ultimately content with the 0-1 triumph to claim all three points to ensure they remain third in the standings.
Hutter’s Debrief
“I don’t know if it was a very good match, but the result is very important in any case. I am very happy with this victory and for Eliesse, who scored after having suffered several injuries this season to give us the three points. In Austria, we can call this a “rather dirty” victory,” reflected the Austrian tactician.
“It’s very important to win this afternoon, with a second clean sheet in a row. It’s never easy to play in Strasbourg, especially with this atmosphere. Radek put in a good performance, while Balo had several chances. We managed to take the three points against a team that plays in a low block. I hope we will have learned from previous matches. The final sprint is launched, there are nine matches remaining. We will see where we will be at the end of the season.”
Key Stats
By the numbers, the fact ASM held the ascendancy in terms of expected goals (1.31 to 0.38), total shots (17 to 8), shots on target (6 to 1), shots inside the box (15 to 6), passes in the opposition half (245 to 76) and possession (66% to 34%) underlined they were good value for the win vs. Patrick Vieira’s men.
Lorient on the horizon
Up next for Monaco is a home clash with struggling Lorient, where another victory will be the aim in their quest to breathe further life into their Champions League qualification march.
The Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) was looking for its remaining 100 seasonal workers for the summer season, on Wednesday, March 6, at its traditional recruitment day.
The candidates came in small numbers to meet the group’s managers, in one of the fabulous rooms at the One Monte-Carlo, located close to the famous Casino. Stress was visible on some faces, but after the interview, that gives way to relief, as evidenced by Ornella Lopez, an 18-year-old student who wants to train in luxury catering. “As well as my contract this summer, I will be called in for extras on weekends and during holidays,” she says happily. I didn’t think it would be so quick and easy to apply. I like the informal concept. You can meet the people you’ll potentially be working with straight away, it’s a far cry from sending in your CV on the internet. I think it gives us a better chance and more choice.”
The young woman shared her dream with us: “personally, I grew up in a family of restaurateurs, but in family catering, and since I plan to go to Saint-Barthélemy next year, I want to get some experience at the luxury end. I hope to get a job at the Buddha-Bar,” she smiles as she leaves.
An exemplary attitude
What might have tipped the balance in her favour? Her attitude for sure, because on the recruiters’ side, they are not just looking for technical catering skills: “Mindset, team spirit, discretion and respect for confidentiality are paramount,” says Casino de Monte-Carlo restaurant manager Cyrille Laurent. “Because in an establishment like the Casino, it is essential that we respect the confidentiality of customers who are sometimes well-known figures.” Paola Minicucci, the Hotels and Restaurants HR Manager, adds: “obviously it’s a learning process. We have procedures and the seasonal workers are trained and supervised, but the main aspects remain interpersonal skills, eagerness, and motivation. We are dealing with a demanding clientele, and it is the human touch that makes the difference.”
The room is far from crowded, and this can be explained by a change in the SBM’s recruitment approach: “Before the health crisis, we used to rely almost exclusively on this recruitment day to strengthen our workforce. Since Covid, we have tried as far as possible to retain our seasonal workers who come back every year. In addition, we were at the ‘Monaco pour l’Emploi’ event, and we attend other fairs such as Courchevel and Menton, plus we advertise on the job sites,” says Paola Minicucci. This is why, out of 1,200 initial vacancies, there were only around a hundred left to fill on Wednesday. It should be noted that demand was greater this year due to the opening of Amazónico, which alone requires 200 staff.
More demanding candidates
With Covid having led to a raft of hotel and restaurant employees retraining, the SBM has rethought its offer in order to remain attractive: “The pay is still an important aspect, because we have better salary conditions than our competitors, but candidates today are looking, above all, for good working conditions. They want a balance between their personal and professional lives. We get questions we wouldn’t necessarily have had before, about breaks, rest days, career prospects… There are more demands from the candidates. Previously, the decision lay squarely with the manager, now it’s a relationship of equals, with aspirations and needs on both sides,” continues Paola Minicucci, delighted to see that the brand still appeals: “It’s no small thing to have a season at the Hotel de Paris or at the Monte-Carlo Beach on your CV,” she tells us..
For the latest session, the SBM mostly offered positions as receptionist, chef de rang, kitchen commis, wine waiters, chef de partie, but also positions outdoors as a lifeguard or beach attendant. On the contractual side, these are fixed-term contracts that can last between six and seven months for certain positions, or for only two months in July-August in the case of student jobs.
Accommodation available for 300 seasonal workers
The SBM is providing 300 beds for its seasonal workers from outside the PACA region. “We can’t provide accommodation for everyone, so we try to prioritise employees from sectors that are under pressure, such as the kitchen or reception.” The accommodation is not in Monaco, but in the immediate vicinity: Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Cap-d’Ail, Beausoleil and Menton. These are studios or shared units. The request is made to the manager and HR when the employee is recruited.
For those who were unable to attend, it is still possible to apply online at recruitment@sbm.mc
A look back at the club’s past at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, on the Monegasque border.
The Principality’s first tennis club was inaugurated on 2 April 1893, However, not at its current location. Try to picture it: the “Lawn Tennis de Monte Carlo” was built on the roofs of the Hôtel de Paris cellars. 4 years later, the first Monte-Carlo tennis tournament was held there, with international players on court, heralding the important status of future competitions.
The Principality was undergoing a major urban transformation at the time, and the club didn’t stay on the cellar roofs for too long. Twelve years to be precise, before being transferred to La Condamine, to make way for a new wing of the Hôtel Hermitage. A new court was added to the “Lawn Tennis de Monte Carlo.” As the town continued to expand, the club moved to the roof of a garage in Beausoleil and was inaugurated in 1921, under the name “La Festa Country Club.”
The Monegasque tennis tournament carried on meantime. After a number of editions, a certain Suzanne Lenglen caught the eye of a wealthy American patron of the arts. The year was 1925 and the French player, a future icon of women’s tennis, was back on the Principality’s courts after some time away from Monte-Carlo. Georges Pierce Butler appeared to want the best for the tournament and the players taking part. “She needs a showcase to match her star status, not the roof of some garage,” he said of Suzanne Lenglen.With his financial backing, the SBM acquired 3.5 hectares of land in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, in the bordering Saint-Roman neighbourhood. This kicked off a colossal project to build some twenty clay courts.
The terraces we know today were built under the supervision of architect Charles Lestrogne. There are two or three courts on each level, some for international competitions and others for leisure. For aesthetic appeal, the terraces were separated by large flowerbeds. The brand-new club could now accommodate up to 700 members in the changing rooms, but also provided catering.
The club did not adopt its definitive name until December 1928, nine months after the long-awaited inauguration. On 27 February 1928, Prince Louis II invited King Gustav V of Sweden, the Duke of Connaught, Prince Nicolas of Greece, the Grand Duchess Hélène and the Grand Duke André of Russia to the opening.
The new Monte-Carlo Country Club was now the home of the Monte-Carlo tennis tournament. After the Second World War, George Butler’s daughter Georgia financed part of the club, which had been damaged during the recent conflict. A tennis player herself, she continued to promote the club’s international reputation, inviting a number of tennis stars to take part in the tournament. The venue and event grew together and non-sporting festivities began to take place, welcoming artists from all over the world. Like the Grand Prix of Monaco, the prestige of the trophy was accentuated by the Principality’s environment and its Princes and Princesses who would present the cup to the winner.
Princess Antoinette took over the presidency of the club at this point, at the request of her brother, Prince Rainier III. Her daughter, Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy, took over the presidency in 2008 followed in turn by her daughter, Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy, in 2020.
This year, the Monaco tennis club will again be hosting the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters competition. In April of each year, the venue gears itself up to welcome over 100,000 visitors who are keen to watch prestigious matches between the best players from around the world. The courts are transformed, in particular the centre court, where large stands are set up. Mark your diary – it’s from 6 to 14 April this year!
From Thursday 7 March until Sunday, the eyes of the sailing world will be on the Principality of Monaco.
And no wonder! With some of the best one-design crews in the world participating, the 40th edition of the Primo Cup-Trophée UBS looks set to live up to its promises.
Starting out in 1985 at the instigation of Prince Albert II, president of the Monaco Yacht Club, the event has grown over the years to become Europe’s largest gathering of one-design boats in the Mediterranean.
“The Primo Cup has been the embodiment of tradition and excellence in the world of one-design sailing for four decades,” says Bernard d’Alessandri, Secretary General of the YCM.
Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of launching new series and innovating by testing new solutions, like the first prototypes of dynamic buoys equipped with an electric motor. This technology allows the buoys to maintain their position without anchoring, and therefore without damaging the seabed.”
90 crews and 400 sailors
One of the highlights of the four-day 40th Primo Cup-Trophée UBSwill be the fourth and final act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, a series of regattas scheduled from November to March and reserved for J/70s.
A total of 90 crews and 400 sailors, comprising J/70s, Smeralda 888s, Longtze Premiers and Cape 31s, filled the YCM Marina pontoons on Thursday morning. The Cape 31 series will be making its debut at the event, in its first one-design championship.
A new one-design series will also be previewed on Friday 8 March, the brainchild of Ludovico Fassitelli, a member of the Yacht Club de Monaco and winner of the 2019 Primo Cup. Designed entirely in Monaco, this one-design boat is intended to modernise the competition, with an emphasis on technology and accessibility.
Programme
Thursday March 7 – 2.30 pm: 1st warning signal for training race
Friday 8 March – 12.00: 1st warning signal for all classes
Saturday 9 March – 11.00 am: 1st warning signal for all classes
Sunday 10 March – 11 am: 1st warning signal for all classes / 4 pm: Prize-giving ceremony
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