The Monaco Monitor

Bidding for a fourth straight overall title, the Frenchman won at Monte Carlo for the fourth time in his career, beating Citroen teammate Daniel Sordo who was second. Ford’s Marcus Gronholm was third. “I like to start the season like this with 10 points,” Loeb said. “The car is really fast, my arm is much better. It was a good start to the season. Hopefully we’ll be able to continue.” Loeb, 32, won last year’s title despite missing the final four races after breaking his arm in a cycling accident. He is looking to equal the record set by Finland’s Tommi Makinen, who won four straight overall titles from 1996-1999. Loeb had little to do but drive safely in the final 2.8-kilometer (1.74-mile) drive around the harbor of Monaco, where he finished fifth fastest. Chris Atkinson of Australia won the 15th and final stage in 1 minute, 49.9 seconds. Gronholm of Finland was second in 1:50.4, and Mikko Hirvonen of Finland third in 1:50.9. Atkinson was delighted to break Citroen’s dominance, even though Loeb – who timed 1:51 – had no need to try and win on the final day. “We tried our hearts out, we really focused,” Atkinson said.

Further important repairs, numerous technical interventions to consolidate the spotlights and dismantle the ceiling, the Controle Department finally validated those operations after serious reports. In so far as security measures were respected, the Nautical Center could be re-opened again to public. (more…)

The Parents’ Association of Monaco handed over a cheque for 55,000 euros to Special Olympics Monaco Association on Friday 5th January. The money was raised at the A.P.E.M.’s annual Gala evening on 24th November in the Salle Empire of the Hotel de Paris. Thanks to the participants at the dinner and to various sponsors, the funds raised will enable the Special Olympics Monaco Delegation to go to Shanghai next October. 

During the 65^th Grand Prix of Monaco, which be held form Thursday, May 24^th to Sunday 27, 2007, the traders could occupy the public road outside the limit of the circuit. Tariffs have been fixed and the candidatures should be deposit to the Mayor house before mid-March.   

The organizers of the indoor beach soccer, which was to have taken place December 22nd at the Espace Ravel, have unfortunately cancelled the event. The Grimaldi Forum Monaco regrets the last minute cancellation and the ensuing disappointment of spectators who have already purchased tickets. They will be fully reimbursed by contacting the Grimaldi Forum tel: +377 99 99 30 00 or ticket@grimaldiforum.mc

AS Monaco, the Principality’s national football team is creeping back up the French Ligue 1 (Premier League) championship under new coach Laurent Banide, having reached rock bottom position at 20 earlier on this season. AS Monaco thrashed Sochaux 3-0 at the weekend in the Stade Louis II and are now positioned at 14, eight points behind Olympique Marseille, three points ahead of arch rivals Nice and one in front of Paris SG. Sochaux is in 5th, a full 11 points ahead of Monaco, so victory was sweet for the red and white brigade. It is a near miraculous recovery for the club, since the departure of Rumanian coach Laszlo Bölöni at the end of October 2006. Bölöni had been taken on at the start of the season following the less-than-successful tenure of Italian Francesco Guidolin who joined over a year ago following the resignation of Didier Deschamps in September 2005.
Laurent Banide, 38, is French and has a diploma in professional coaching (DEPF - diplôme d’entraîneur professionnel). He was one of the two assistant coaches before being propelled into this role, his first crack at managing a professional team. His main goal is to keep the team in the premier league and avoid relegation.

Thunder clap in the Principality. The Beach Soccer Tournament programmed on December 22 in Grimaldi Forum having to bring together the largest stars of the round balloon like Cannavaro, Buffon, Zidane for the good cause is simply cancelled.

The next Masters Series Monte Carlo presented by ROLEX will take place from 14th to 22nd April 2007. The renowned Tennis Open will be held, as in previous years, in the prestigious setting of the Monte Carlo Country Club. (more…)

In Monaco, the largest stars of the foot give each other appointment in Ravel space for a tournament of beach soccer indoor. Zidane, Ronaldhino, Cannavaro, Giuly and so many of other stars of the round balloon are announced. If they answer present, this Monaco beach soccer will be the `sporting event of this end of year.

From its very first edition, six years ago, the Monaco Dance Forum took on board the then emerging use of digital technology in choreography. Today, the biennial Forum is recognized as the most important event world-wide in digital dance. Indeed, the creativity showcased at the Forum persuaded the UN’s UNESCO to devote its 10,000 Euro Digital Arts Prize to dance for the first time this year. (more…)