Polo Lifestyles - Haiti January: The Sport of Kings from Africa to Aspen

ART BASEL

RENDEZVOUS OF THE JET-SET CLONE WARS

VICTORY FOR CLONES IN ARGENTINA ARE LA DOLFINA'S PONIES UNBEATABLE?

HEAVEN & EARTH

BALANCE YOUR CHAKRA FOR BLISS

ROOFTOP IGLOOS THE HOTTEST THING FOR THE COLDEST NIGHT

AFRICA ON HORSEBACK

THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME

ASPEN · ST. MORITZ KITZBÜHEL $27.95 USD

VOLUME III / ISSUE I / JANUARY 2019

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VOLUME III / ISSUE I / JANUARY 2019

Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand

Contributor

Joshua Jakobitz

Kelly Caldwell

Editor-in-Chief

Contributor

Sara Ali

Brand Representatives Anne-Isabelle Saint-Pierre - Dubai

Luxury & Culture Adviser

Mark Wine

Fitness Columnist

Joey Velez

Wellness Columnist

Kemissa Racine

Fashion & Style Contributor

Hans Ebenman

Travel Contributor

Cezar Kusik

Wine Contributor

Jyoti Paintel

Spiritual Guidance Contributor

Raphael Dapaah Art Contributor

Stanley Pierre-Etienne Fashion Contributor

Tara Cummins

Fashion Contributor

Jennifer Sims

Style Contributor

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Susan Wise

Publisher

a.isabellesaintpierre@gmail.com

Anton Rodionov - Paris anton@antonrodionov.com

Rudy Volel - New York volel.me@gmail.com

Contributing Photographers Emma Wild Deji Atte Ferdos Soodani Irina Kazaridi Jennifer Sims Gruawiler - Testa PR Polo Lifestyles is a publication of HT Polo Publishing Co. 995 Detroit Avenue, Suite A Concord, CA 94518 Copyright Š Polo Lifestyles 2018 All Rights Reserved.

For information or to advertise Contact editor@pololifestyles.com Read online at www.pololifestyles.com Cover Photo: Lagos Polo Club Captain Luqman Adebayo Photo by Deji Atte for Lagos Polo Club

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Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel Punta Del Este Polo Internationals Polo Masters Megeve Singapore Polo Club Internationals International Polo Club Herbie Pennell Cup 20 Goals Joe Barry Cup 20 Goals Ylvisaker Cup 20 Goals Paris Haute Couture Shows Thai Polo Equestrian Club La Posta Cup 6-8 Goals B. Grimm Thai Polo Open 10-13 Goals Chinese New Year Cup 8-10 Goals Art Stage Singapore Land Rover New Zealand Polo Open Lagos Polo Club Lagos Internationals Ghantoot Polo & Racing Club Red Crescent Charitable Polo Match HH President of UAE Polo Cup British Polo Day Val de Vie Estate Veuve Clicquot Polo Masters Berlin Film Festival NYFW

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VOLUME III / ISSUE I / JANUARY 2019

CLONE WARS

Are La Dolfina's cloned ponies unbeatable? page 58

POLO LIFESTYLES EDITORS & CONTRIBUTORS

Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand

Josh Jakobitz

Publisher Polo Lifestyles @haiti_polo_captain

Editor-in-Chief Polo Lifestyles @joshuajakobitz

Cezar Kusik

Anne-Isabelle Saint-Pierre

Wine Contributor Twenty Five Lusk @cezarkusik

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Brand Representative Polo Lifestyles-Milan @isasaintpierre

Kemissa Racine

Fashion & Style Contributor KEMISSA RACINE @kemissa

Joey Velez

Mental Wellness Columnist Velez Mental Performance @velezmentalhealth

Mark Wine

Jyoti Paintel Bowles

Tara Cummins

Raphael Dapaah

Fitness Columnist Functional Muscle Fitness @functionalmuscle

Fashion Contributor Teryn Grey @teryngrey

Spiritual Contributor Polo Lifestyles

Art Contributor Dapaah Group @dg_luxe

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Urban Igloos - Next Big Thing page 126

Snow Polo Aspen Valley page 26

Vernissage: Emmanuel Unaji page 99

ART BASEL

South Africa on horseback page 118

The Miami version of the Swiss art show where you can also work on your tan page 66 page 9

VOLUME III / ISSUE I / JANUARY 2019

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR I have a three-and-a-half year old niece. The excitement of Christmas morning, manifested in her screams of delight and surprise, her vigor for destroying perfectly wrapped packages, multiple breaks for ballerina-dancing and wardrobe changes, ran into early afternoon and, after a nap in her new tee-pee, into dinner time. We played, we clapped, we waited patiently for her to pick (and open) the next gift. It was wonderful. It was exhausting. I don’t know how my sister does it.

Christmas really snuck up on me this year. With the Aspen Snow Polo tournament just a few days before the holiday, our Santa Barbara contributor Tara Cummins graciously jumped on a jet while I put final touches on this issue in the office with our publisher. Her late-breaking coverage of the winter glitterati at the last World Cup tournament of 2018 ties directly into this month’s cover - and our coverage next month - of Snow Polo in Europe.

I jumped on a plane a few days later, too, bags laden with boxes and gifts. Straight from the airport to brunch and then our first of three Christmas celebrations with family and friends, I am at once, sleep-deprived, happy, and stuffed full of holiday treats and traditional dishes, which is a microcosm of sorts that describe my 2018: sleep-deprived, happy and fulfilled. Growing the Polo Lifestyles brand has been my biggest joy to date. I’m eternally thankful to our visionary publisher, our contributors who work phones, texts and deadlines while managing full-time jobs, consultancies and their own personal interests.

Art Basel Miami Beach

Make sure you don’t miss their contributions for January 2019 – from art and style to travel and spirituality, we’re hitting the ground running for the new beginnings that every January offers. It’s my hope you find encouragement, surprises, adventures, ideas, and inspiration in our 150-some pages this month. It’s for you, dear readers, that we curate this content and balance these sections to bring you the very best of luxury and polo.

Happy New Year, Josh Jakobitz josh@pololifestyles.com

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277fifth Cartier does Christmas like no one else and no one else does Christmas like Cartier

frique_le_chique Commercial airliner or your own private glitter jet of dreams? Put me down for one this year.

barakobama The former president popped up at a children's hospital with bags of toys and holiday cheer page 16

allisonspeerpr A sneak peak inside the festive home of Kathy Hilton -- completely decked out for the holidays

artbeatmiami Haiti Polo Team captain Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand honored for contributions to sport & community

lagospoloclub Nigerian polo season is in full swing with tournaments nearly every weekend

voguemexico The first cover of Vogue Mexico featuring an indigenous woman in traditional dress #weloveit

bazaaruk Newlyweds Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra, wearing Ralph & Russo, in India

theladyvhodka Facing major rain delays in Argentina, Sunday matches will be played on Tuesdays

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Click and comment on our choices... tag @pololifestyles.

We will share noteworthy comments with you next month.

The BBC announced its first LGBTQ+ news presenter Ben Hunte #bbcwhatsnew

yudaipurcity reuters The Ambani Wedding in Udaipur, Rajastan, arguably the largest and most expensive of the year

A curation of the world's most beautiful properties on the real estate market today

bakaart raphaelmacek The equestrian photographer Raphael Macek displayed opening night at Art Basel Miami

titogaudenzi The launch of the campaign for Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz was highly anticipated

zintapolo The fashion model and polo player is a @uspoloassn ambassador and also a pilot

beninldn

irinakazaridi Cloned ponies made headlines as La Dolfina defended its title while mounted on clones in Palermo

formationsghost @beyonce performance was among the many highlights of the #ambaniwedding in India

francis.york

jeffleatham When we think of holiday florals, we think Jeff Leatham the genius behind this installation page 17

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125o Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo HSBC Campo Argentino de Polo de Palermo Final: La Dolfina 17 / 12 Las Monjitas

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125 o CA M P E O N ATO A RGE NTINO AB IE RTO DE P O LO H S B C

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125 o CA M P E ON ATO A RGE NTINO AB IE RTO DE P O LO H S B C

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Aspen Valley Snow Polo St. Regis Aspen, Colorado 19-22 December 2018 Richard Mille 6 / 5 Flexjet

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Where the Winter Glitterati Begin the Aspen Season

"VIP guests descended a long, tree-lined runway that led them inside a beautifully decorated marquee tent. Once inside, it was no wonder why the Ganzis have made the Salonniere 100 List as the nation’s best party hosts for the last two years."

It’s no secret that every winter the glitterati make their seasonal migration to this famous little mountain town.

Celebrities flock to the designer store-lined streets and the majestic slopes beckon avid skiers, but for the last six years, there’s another event drawing in the well-heeled jet-setters.

The World Snow Polo Championship may just be the perfect social season kick-off.

From grit to glamour, Aspen’s annual Snow Polo Championship is as much an adrenaline-filled sporting event as it is a highly-anticipated social occasion. It’s the only event of its kind to take place in North America. Each year Aspen Valley Polo Club owners, Marc and Melissa Ganzi, host the star-studded event in hopes to give back to the community.

This year’s event, including the inaugural Snow Polo Gala, served as a fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation.

Last Wednesday, Rio Grande Park once again welcomed fur-clad spectators and equestrian enthusiasts to take in some

polo action. VIP guests descended a long, tree-lined runway that led them inside a beautifully decorated marquee tent. Once inside, it was no wonder why the Ganzis have made the Salonniere 100 List as the nation’s best party hosts for the last two years. In between sipping hot toddies courtesy of Blade & Bow and grabbing bites to eat from the raw bar, the crowd cheered on their favorite teams.

The excitement from the never-dull VIP tent only continued out on the snow-covered field. Snow polo is a modified version of the traditional game, but don’t be fooled. Although played page 27

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AS P E N VA L L E Y S NOW P O LO AT ST. RE G IS

in a smaller field and, for this particular tournament, with three players to a team (opposed to the usual four), snow polo is no less intense than the sport’s full version. Thundering ponies, enthusiastic announcers, and competitive players offered a thrilling spectacle page 28

for those on the sidelines. This year’s lineup proved impressive with some of the world’s top players. Coming off the Argentine Open, Pablo MacDonough made his Aspen Snow Polo debut with the Richard Mille polo team. Gonzalito Pieres, also coming off the Argentine

Open, as well as 8-goalers Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Nic Roldan took to the field. Nacho Figueras also joined the competition, alongside his son Hilario Figueras, for Team St. Regis.

Momentum followed on the last day of the tournament as the finals com

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AS P E N VA L L E Y S NOW P O LO AT ST. RE G IS

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menced. In the end, Team Richard Mille proved victorious, defeating Team Flexjet 6-5, but the party had just begun. Awards were presented and the fun continued with music, bubbly, and hors d’œuvres.

Aspen Snow Polo is the final stop on the 2018 World Polo Tour. Every year, it draws in crowds from around the world, but it also carries major allure from the local community. The highly anticipated social event can expect another sell-out crowd for 2019. So if you’re in Aspen next year, consider looking beyond the slopes for some action-packed excitement.

- Reporting by Tara Cummins - Photos by Olivia Siegel and Aspen Valley Polo Club

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WOMEN'S VAHDAT CUP Tehran, Iran

Nowrouz Abad 5 / 3 Ghasre Firouzeh

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18TH EMIRATES OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP INTERNATIONAL Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club UAE 10 / 9 Ghantoot December 2018

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Argentine teen sensation Tommy Panelo delivered the performance of a lifetime to help Shaikha Maitha Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s UAE Polo Team overcome a gritty Ghantoot in a cliffhanger final of the 18th Emirates Open Polo Championship International.

Panelo, 18, scored an incredible eight goals, including the ‘golden goal’ match-winner in the sixth and extra chukker at the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, to gift the UAE Team victory by 10 goals to nine.

With the scores tied at 9-9 at the end of the fifth and final chukker, it was down to the sudden-death tie-breaker, where the UAE players, led by the tireless Shaikha Maitha, held their nerve to prize out a remarkable victory.

Shaikha Maitha summed up the match perfectly when she said: “(This was) one the toughest most enjoyable finals. There wasn’t a point during the game where we felt safe. Minute by minute, play for play, goal for goal! It was the most competitive, clean, fast, open finals I’ve experienced.

Team Ghantoot is a force, super mounted with a lot of horse power and last night was a horse race! It was so close, we got the winning goal in the extra chukker.”

liver such a strong effort. I could not have done this without the support from such talented players like Fede Pobosky and Nacho Acuna. Polo is not an individual sport, it’s all about team work, and I think that’s where we excelled,” he added.

Panelo echoed Shaika Maitha’s sentiments when he said: “This is such an amazing feeling, to win such a prestigious tournament is unbelievable. Shaikha Maitha is a great team leader and continually inspired us to raise our game, from the start of the tournament. I felt great today, full of confidence, and I think that helped me de-

“Congratulations to Shaikha Maitha and her team,” said Bin Dasmal. “They played a good strategic game. We lost to them earlier, but we came here determined to do better. The whole team played a fantastic match, it was touch and go all the way.

But in sport there is only one winner and today it was UAE Polo Team.”

Panelo picked up the Professional Player of the Final award, while Yousef Bin Dasmal was adjudged the Best Emirati Player of the Final.

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The chief guest at the final was Shaikh Sultan Bin Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of HH Shaikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Founder and Chairman of the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club.

Also in attendance was Shaikh Khalid Bin Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy National Security Adviser.

UAE had beaten Ghantoot 8-6 in the opening game of the tournament two weeks ago, but it appeared that the hosts had found the formula to gain revenge when they led their rivals 4-2 midway through the second chukker, 5-4 in the third and 9-8 in the fifth.

However, every time the UAE stormed back with goals by Panelo, who struck a back-hand beauty in the fifth, and Pobosky.

It was a masterful display by both teams that had the large crowd on the edge of their seats or rushing forward to watch the action close on the sidelines.

Ahmed Al Nuaimi, Managing Director of the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, said: “Congratulations to the UAE Team and Her Highness Shaikha Maitha on winning the 18th emirates Open Polo Championship International."

“It was a delight to see the positivity and skills that they brought to Ghantoot today It was clear for all to see that they were well prepared, fired up and gave one hundred percent."

“Ghantoot is proud to have hosted such a high quality tournament which featured some of the best polo players in the world, and the UAE. We will continue to support the sport of polo and we look forward to the New Year with great enthusiasm,” he added.

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LAGOS CAPTAINS CUP Lagos Polo Club

December 2018 - Photos by Deji Atte

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Art Basel Miami Beach Toast Vodka Party The Fontainebleau Thursday, 6 December

Photos by Willie Floyd/L'Union Suite

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Toast Vodka gave a party for Re-Invision Magazine at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami during Art Basel.

Polo Lifestyles publisher Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand met up with L'Union Suite founder and Polo Lifestyles "Women+Power" recipient Wanda Tima for a night of art and cocktails in Florida.

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INCHES & INCOME Taller People Earn An extra inch correlates with an estimated $800 in increased annual earnings.

MORE

you take this over the course of a 30-year career and compound it,” one researcher told Malcolm Gladwell for his book Blink, “we’re talking about a tall person enjoying literally hundreds of thousands of dollars of

In the 1960s and 70s, Thomas Gregor, an anthropologist at Vanderbilt, traveled to central Brazil to see “In no case,” scholar Thomas if height was prized by people Gregor wrote, “have I found a beyond the developed world.

For years, he observed the Mehinaku, a group that lived in the tropical forest and was so thoroughly unmodern that they had never seen eyeglasses. He spent time with the Navajo and the Trobriand Islanders of Papua New Guinea, too. “In no case,” he wrote, “have I found a preference for short men.”

The bias that Gregor showed to be embedded into human social life plays out quantifiably in the professional world: In Western countries, a jump from the 25th percentile of height to the 75th—about four or five inches—is associated with an increase in salary between 9 and 15 percent. Another analysis suggests that an extra inch is worth almost $800 a year in elevated earnings. “If

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preference for short men.”

earnings advantage.” The research suggests that height makes only slightly more a difference for men than women.

While every additional inch appears to be an advantage, some inches are worth more than others, according to one recent study. Among men, the sharpest jump in earnings the researchers documented was between 5’4” and 5’6”. They found that the returns on height begin to plateau around 6’0”.

It used to make sense that height would be valued when picking people to do jobs: The tallest people were often the biggest and the strongest, and most tasks demanded size and

strength. But the height premium has persisted even as more and more jobs have become desk jobs. Economists have sought a satisfactory explanation ever since that change started taking hold.

The beginning of this scholarship (at least in the U.S.) was NYU professor Enoch Burton Gowin’s The Executive and His Control of Men: A Study in Personal Efficiency, published in 1915. Gowin’s data collection revealed not just the difference between the heights of executives and “average men,” but also that bishops tended to be taller than preachers, and sales managers taller than the salespeople reporting to them.

Since the publication of Gowin’s book, researchers proposed a few possible explanations for why taller people attained white-collar jobs at higher rates. Some studies suggested that taller people have better social skills and more self-confidence (“non-cognitive” skills, as academics would say). People who were taller as children, the thinking goes, were treated better, so they

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EXTRA INCHES & INCOME developed more emotional stability, which has been shown to help on the job. Meanwhile, other studies have found that taller people are inherently smarter: As early as age three, they do better on aptitude tests.

According to a new paper, the answer was a little bit of everything. The paper’s two authors, Andreas Schick, an economist at the FDA, and Richard Steckel, an economist at the Ohio State University, analyzed data from the United Kingdom tracking a group of Britons born in 1958 and concluded that neither cognitive nor non-cognitive advantages can alone explain the earnings difference. Since both play significant roles in producing the height premium, they argue, the truly important variable is how well-fed a child is. Nutrition is a major deciding factor when it comes to height, which

in turn means it affects intelligence and those highly helpful “non-cognitive” skills.

In addition to performing those calculations, Schick and Steckel also came away with some correlations that, while not inconsistent with previous research, are still striking. For every two-inch increase in a child’s height, the improvement on cognitive and non-cognitive assessments is roughly equivalent to the difference between growing up in a lower-class family and a middle-class family. And it’s not just height in childhood that goes on to shape future earnings: 11-year-old boys who were considered “attractive” (creepily enough, these ratings were determined by teachers) went on to make 6.5 percent more money in their thirties than their more homely peers did. For girls, it was a 10 percent boost.

The perks of height do not end with money. A study published a couple months ago used data collected by the German government to look more specifically at the professional lives of the relatively tall. It found that each additional inch of height makes one slightly more likely to be an entrepreneur, as opposed to working a desk job. And while most of those self-employed giants reported roughly equal levels of job satisfaction, employed people who were tall said they were more pleased with their professional lives than did shorter employees. If those cursed with below-average height have made it this far in the article, they might want to finally jump ship and ignore this final line: Those taller employees also reported being happier with life in general. page 57

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CLONE WARS

Are La Dolfina's ponies unbeatable? page 58

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THE BUSINESS Of Genetic Modification & Cloning

Argentine polo kings turn to genetic manipulation PALERMO, ARGENTINA – Polo is a big deal – and big business – and cloning has already been used to reproduce the finest existing mounts.

La Dolfina's cloned ponies defeated Las Monjitas in the final of the 125th Abierto Argentino de Polo, defending their title.

The tournament's Best Playing Pony was, not surprisingly, a clone.

From Vanity Fair to academic journals, cloning polo ponies remains a hot topic. The question remains, are champions born or raised?

That’s the question scientists in Argentina are trying to answer as they look to pinpoint the genes that make local horses the best in the world for playing polo.

But scientists want to go one step further and map the entire genome of the Argentine polo horse in order to create the perfect specimen.

From December, a group of five universities will analyze 80,000 horses from the breed as part of a project that will try to identify the ideal genetic balance that makes up a polo horse.

The Argentine horses used to play polo have been bred specifically over decades by crossing a Criollo line descended from the original pure-blooded

Andalusian and Arab mounts brought to the New World by Spanish conquistadores, and English thoroughbreds, introduced at the end of the 19th century when British immigrants also imported polo.

For veterinarian Guillermo Buchanan, Argentine polo horses “are unique” because of their speed and durability, and because of their mix of explosiveness and docility.

During a polo match, ponies change direction at speed, slow down, turn, accelerate while turning, says admiring horse-breeder Pablo Trigo, who is also co-managing the project.

Argentine polo horses distinguish themselves in their rate of learning and page 59

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sensibility to their rider’s desires. They are the most cloned animal in the world.

At stud farms in the Buenos Aires area, they are looked after as if works of art. And now science is being used to figure out how to reproduce the finest animals.

The project is expected to start producing results within three years and will precede the launch of a genetic selection program aimed at optimising the horses’ physical and temperamental characteristics.

‘Cutting edge’ research There’s nothing new about using applied research and biotechnology to improve polo ponies, but interest in the science is growing, as is the money people are prepared to pay for its results.

The clone of a legendary mare fetched a whopping US $800,000 at auction.

According to estimates, there are around 200 cloned Argentine ponies, many copies of elite level mounts. So far, all seem to be in excellent health.

Argentina “is absolutely at the cutting-edge of applied research into polo ponies,” said geneticist Sebastian Demyda, one of the project’s leaders.

This includes every biotechnological technique from embryonic transfer to cloning and gender selection: mares are preferred because of their more docile temperament.

Argentina’s polo association accepts cloning – although not everyone considers this ethical, and one private clinic specializing in embryo manipulation has ceased its activities. “[Genetic] engineering is the limit,” said Buchanan, who believes tampering with individual embryos is a step too far.

Cloning, however, has become common practice in polo – and while clones were initially used only for reproductive purposes, now they are used in competition too.

Elite players can have up to six or seven clones in their pens.

"The clones are doing very well, they’re winning prizes,” said Demyda.

But cloning has its drawbacks, not least when it comes to the gene pool.

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“Clones (dilute) the race’s genetic structure, they’re like a photocopy,” said Demyda.

and preservation,” said Meeker.

Not so, says Alan Meeker, chief executive officer and business partner of Adolfo Cambiaso. "That clones dilute genetic structure is merely popular to say when one hasn't experience with proper breeding and the use of clones, yet wish to speak and sound like an expert."

While science can help favor certain physical and even temperamental traits at birth, training maintains a crucial and almost mythical role in the development of polo horses.

When it comes to the sport, it's not up for debate that clones distort the playing field. Cloning costs a minimum of US $100,000 meaning only the richest can benefit.

“With the advent of our new lab in Aiken, So. Carolina, we will be lowering the cost to as little as US $80,000 per clone. All of the important cell lines form all of the champion ponies from Argentina and other parts of the world are currently stored there for cloning

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‘Special connection’ needed

It can take seven years to train a polo pony as it needs to be programmed into acting against its natural instincts.

Specialist Ezequiel Correa says “what’s fundamental is that it has been well tamed,” although without using violence.

A horse needs to get used to the swinging wooden mallet brushing its sides, and the sound when it connects with the metal ball.

It’s a painstaking art form that requires small steps of just 20 minutes training a day.

“It’s like teaching a child to read one letter at a time. If you make it read in front of the class, you traumatize it,” said Correa, who at 33 has trained 20 horses. “If you expose a horse to polo before it’s ready, you traumatize it and it’s difficult to come back from that.”

Once that’s been achieved, though, the next step is to establish “chemistry” between horse and rider.

“You need a special connection, there’s a unique form of communication using the legs. If it works, you can have a champion.”

Science, it seems, cannot overcome every challenge.

“No-one can identify the new [Lionel] Messi by genes,” said Demyda.

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US Open Women's Polo Championship

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ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH RENDEZVOUS OF THE JET-SET

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Art Basel

MIAMI BEACH

An international crowd of celebrities and socialites call Miami "home" for a week Every year in early December, when U.S. East Coast temperatures dip and spirits follow, the international art scene picks up and moves south for a brief, neon-lit sojourn in Miami Beach.

This year was no different: Tens of thousands of artists, gallery owners, art collectors, celebrities, and all manner of warm-weather enthusiasts — and party people — arrived en masse in southern Florida’s most-happening city for Art Basel Miami Beach, also known as the art fair at which you can also get a tan.

Art Basel Miami Beach’s opening day may have followed an 800-point loss in the American stock market, setting jitters through exhibitors, but all doubts were washed away with a very flashy display of confidence greeting fairgoers at the newly renovated convention center’s west entrance.

At least one work sold in the eight-figure range. Pablo Picasso’s Tete de Femme (1971), for which Van de Weghe was asking $17 million. Seven-figure sales were relatively more prevalent. Hauser & Wirth sold Philip Guston’s Shoe Head (1976) for $7.5 million and Mark Bradford’s Feather (2018) for $5 million.

Kasmin sold Lee Krasner’s Bird Image (1963) for $3.6 million, and at the booth of Jack Shainman Gallery, an aluminum-and-copper wire work by El Anatsui called Strained Roots (2014) sold for $1.2 million. A new painting by George Condo went for $1.1 million at Skarstedt. At Matthew Marks, a 2014 work by Martin Puryear was purchased for approximately $1 million.

Picasso's "Tete de Femme" and Lee Krasner's "Bird Image," at the Bulgari dinner and at Casa Tua's Karaoke party. page 68

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Of course, we descend on Miami Beach for Art Basel during the day, but it’s the parties given by fashion houses, clubs and restaurants when darkness falls that keep the mood festive. With invitations secured to the best parties – Prada, Chloe, Faena, Bulgari, Casa Tua, Ruinart and the Versace Mansion – it was one very busy week.

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R U I N A RT X LIU B OLIN PARTY Art and fashion patrons from around the world joined Ruinart Champagne, the first established Champagne House, to experience Liu Bolin’s creation process in action as he was live-painted at the Miami Botanical Garden amongst a large-scale installation of Ruinart’s iconic rounded bottles.

Ruinart Brand Director Sebastien Vitry told Polo Lifestyles, “We were thrilled to wrap 2018 with our artist of the year, Liu Bolin, with a big splash at Art Basel Miami Beach. Our goal was to offer an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Bolin’s meticulous artistic method and showcase how he reveals the invisible links between the human work and nature within each bottle of Ruinart champagne is really special.”

Partygoers watched the behind-thescenes look at Bolin’s meticulous artistic method, while sipping Ruinart’s Rosé paired alongside canapes and tunes by DJ Timo Weiland.

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RU I N A RT X LIU B OLIN PARTY

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Art Basel

MIAMI BEACH

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Temperatures dropped and humidity disappeared, making evenings festive in layers and jackets.

Naturally, we made a point to visit equestrian photographer Raphael Macek on his opening night at Context Art Miami. By the end of the week, he sold his major pieces.

Galleries from the Caribbean and Latin America were able to seize upon what’s essentially a hometown advantage in Miami; the city serves as a gateway to Latin America, and many keep second homes in Miami. Even though the Latin American art market is significantly smaller than the market in America, Asia, or Europe—the region has just 5 percent of the world’s top collectors, and when combined with Africa, 4 percent of the global art trade, according to Clare McAndrew’s annual report for Art Basel and UBS—cultivating collectors from the region remains a key element of Art Basel’s strategy, said Noah Horowitz, who serves as the fair’s director of the Americas and is responsible for its galleries and collectors across both continents.

Michele Frisch of Haiti's Galerie Marassa curated "Crossing Cultures," offering a unique platform for Latin American art fair with a global perspective. Galerie Marassa presented the latest works by Philippe Dodard, Fernando Varela, Killy, Patrick Eugene and Louis Albert Leveque.

Other Haitian artists displayed at Art Beat Miami, Art Africa and Pinta. Valerie Noisette, who organized the Kolektif 509 artists, said, "I had the pleasure of being invited to Art Africa, which was in its eighth year (at Art Basel). I brought along the artwork of 10 contemporary Haitian artists."

The Art Africa theme, "Black Art Matters," spoke to Noisette. "I told them if they were going to talk about African Diaspora art or Black art, they must include Haiti in the equation, as Haiti was the world's first black republic."

Kolektif 509 now has a mini-home at Art Africa and will participate in exhibits there. "The space is amazing - and in a great location downtown," said Noisette from Chicago. "We are looking forward to putting Haitian art on the map."

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Top left: Valerie Noisette, curator of Kolektif 509 for Art Africa; bottom left: work

by David Boyer; top right: Claudia Apaid; bottom right: Francoise Hazel's and Sebastien Jean's works.

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Art Basel

MIAMI BEACH

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FASHION & STYLE ST. MORITZ SKI STYLE

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ST. MORITZ SKI STYLE

St. Moritz: The name alone conjures up images of royalty shimmying on subterranean dance floors and fur-cloaked A-listers sipping après ski cocktails in a chic, high-altitude hut. The Swiss town practically invented the ultra-luxe ski resort, and is equally renowned for its challenging runs, eight figure farmhouses, and stylish guests as it is for its sumptuous hotels and social set.

“St. Moritz has amazing skiing, but you get a lot of non-skiing activities, too,” says Oliver Corkhill, CEO of the page 86

bespoke travel-planning firm, Leo Trippi, which has a history in the region that dates back to 1882. “And compared to other high-end Alpine resorts like Courchevel, Verbier, or Zermatt, it’s far more discreet.”

Discover all the spots, day-by-day, that put the “ritz” into any trip to St. Moritz, along with some ideas on what to wear.

To whit, Moncler Grenoble—the label named for the French village where it originated in 1952—has gone back to its roots by creating a collection that mixes

traditional and unreleased fabrics with technical features.

Day One: Check In & Chill Fly into Zurich, then take one of the three train lines that race up the Alps to St. Moritz on one of the world’s most scenic rail journies. For a truly magical time, book the circa-1930s Gourmino dining car from Chur to St. Moritz, where champagne, three-course menus, and fabulous views are served.

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STYLE

Private jets fly into Samedan/Engadin airport. Check into your hotel or villa (see below) and have the butler unpack your furs and boots, and get yourself outfitted for skiing or boarding through the onsite rental facility. SkiService is one of the best, and will often bring the shop to your villa, upon request.

Pace yourself and start your stay slowly by walking Via Serlas (the Rodeo Drive of the region) to get a lay of the land, then dine and drink at the

cozy Pavarotti & Friendswine bar, where wood lines the walls and a communal table encourages sharing plates and actually talking to your neighbor.

(Just pretend you don’t know who he or she is, tres gauche.)

Carlton Hotel The 60-room retreat on the north side of Lake St. Moritz chauffeurs guests by Bentleys from the train station. The onsite ski shop and three-floor wellness center—not to mention the Michelinstarred Da Vittorio restaurant—mean

the only time you have to leave is to actually ski the sun-kissed slopes.

Suvretta House A slightly more old-school crowd fills the 181-room Suvretta House, whose quirky spires pierce the sky above the Alps about a mile outside of town.

(Don’t worry: The resort has its own private lift to get you directly to the runs.) Pack your jewels and finery, since the Grand Restaurant still requires formal attire for dinner, as it did when the place opened in 1901. page 87

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If fashion-influenced ski wear is your goal, head to Moncler Grenoble. A well rounded collection for men and women, Moncler Grenoble ranges from ski and technical styles to pieces that are as suitable for après ski as they are in the city. Think modern styles including jackets, trousers, sweaters and shirts.

Badrutt’s Palace Even if you can’t place St. Moritz on a map, you’ve undoubtedly heard about this circa-1896 retreat, whose New Year’s parties are the stuff of legend.

Shops, seven restaurants, and a killer spa (accessed via tunnel) lure snow bunnies who have no intention of taking the shuttle to the Corviglia cable car and schussing down the famously dry powder.

Hotel Kulm The oldest property in this part of the Upper Engadin puts the emphasis on sports—concierges are happy to orchestrate private moonlight ski sessions or insert their charges into an Olympic bobsled—and much of the social fluttering happens beside the ice rink.

Set more than a mile above sea level, the views from nearly any of the 164 guest rooms are spectacular (opt for one of the 26 that were recently done-over by Pierre Yves-Rochon), as are the vistas from the elite Kulm Country Club, newly-revamped by Lord Norman Foster and open to mere mortals who make meal reservations.

Chesa el Toula Depending on the week, 75,000 to 180,000 CHF buys you six nights to roam the six-bedroom, 9,000-squarefoot Engadin villa and all its hidden treasures, which include a games room, a cinema, and an underground pool. If you get lost, don’t worry: staff is on hand to guide you back to your bedroom.

Day 2: Explore the Mountain Now that your suited up, ski the local mountain, Corviglia, or go further page 88

afield to Corvatsch or Diavolezza for comparably dazzling snow conditions.

Altogether, the area has more than 200 miles of runs, and one pass gains skiers and boarders access to all of them.

You’ll want to take a break at Alpina Hutte, the rustic slope side boîte that is the ultimate mountain stop for something stronger than hot cocoa, right on the slopes of Corviglia. Rest a bit at the hotel spa (they are all fab), then dress for dinner at Da Vittorio or The Grand.

Since you’re in full regalia, tempt Lady Luck at the Casino St. Moritz, the high-rolling casino at the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains (which emerged from an upgrade in December). Even if you have no poker face, the people-watching is phenomenal from the Ivory Ball Lounge Bar.

Day Three: Time to Après Ski Skip traditional ski diversions, and instead, head to the St. Moritz Tobogganing Club where even beginners can have a go at the Cresta Run, a ¾-mile ice chute that drops more than 500 feet and includes 10 turns—one of which is brutally called The Shuttlecock.

Reward your efforts with some retail therapy in town. The uniquely eclectic housewares and gift shop, Four Emotions, sells antler chandeliers, Alpine-themed tableware, and eccentric fine jewelry. Lamm Cashmere House, a knitwear shop that’s been clothing the jet set since the Golden Era of Travel, will send you home with the most sumptuous sweaters, scarves, and wraps possible.

For more artistic finds, Urs Ettlin sourc-

es Engadin antiques and refurbished and well-loved historic furnishings, and sells them at fixed price or at auction. And of course, there’s also the St. Moritz outpost of London’s Robilant + Voena art dealer, which specializes in Old Masters, but also showcases modern and contemporary artists, as well. Stopping by is like visiting a jewel-box of a museum where everything is for sale.

If fashion-influenced ski wear is your goal, head to Moncler Grenoble. A well rounded collection for men and women, Moncler Grenoble (which was inspired by the gear worn in 1952, the year of the brand’s inception) ranges from ski and technical styles to pieces that are as suitable for après ski as they are in the city.

Think modern styles including jackets, trousers, sweaters and shirts.

Day Four: Queen of the Night If you’re not exhausted from all those adventures in excess, dress like a disco queen and prepare for a night of debauchery at the King’s Club, in the basement of Badrutt’s Palace. Like a Swiss Studio 54, what happens in the King’s Club stays in the King’s Club. Grease the bouncer and maybe you can get in and rule the dance floor.

If dancing isn’t your bag, head to Devil’s Place, the bar that claims to have the largest selection of whiskeys in the world (more than 2,500). What it lacks in design chops it more than makes up for in the Suntory-loving après-skiers who linger for hours in this, the hotel bar of the Waldhaus am See Hotel.

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VERNISSAGE {PRIVATE VIEWING}

ft

EMMANUEL UNAJI

"ADAM & EVE"

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VERNISSAGE { PRIVATE VIEWING }

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Renegade Arrival EMMANUEL UNAJI

Raphael Dapaah | Art Contributor raphaeldapaah@hotmail.co.uk

There is an exception to every rule – a renegade that arrives on the scene to upset the status quo through determined quiet rebellion against shackled and confined ideas and narratives. One such exception comes in the answer to the question, “Is fashion a true art form?”

The debate between two sides for decades, one arguing that fashion is a practical form of art; the other defending the notion that art and fashion are entirely separate matters without comparison, was settled in the late 1950s and early 1960s by the sensational and innovative Andy Warhol.

Warhol did what had never been done before: he fused fine art with fine fashion. Not only did he achieve this feat, he wedded the two so effortlessly that, in hindsight, we can’t imagine a world in which art and fashion do not co-exist harmoniously. Warhol paved the way for young and daring fashion houses to collaborate with fine artists, demonstrating their work on a medium more dynamic and agile than a blank canvas, literally bringing new life and movement to their paintings and forcing the wearer to become both the viewer and the subject of the artist.

When I came across Emmanuel Unaji’s work for the first time at the vernissage of an exhibition that a friend of mine curated in the heart of Soho, London’s bohemian capital, I was reminded of

a young Warhol in the 50’s. The piece that struck me most was a collage of the first British Vogue cover under the new editor-in- chief, Edward Enninful, starring Adwoa Aboah. Bold, striking, and hauntingly beautiful - the power in Unaji’s pieces are the eyes that draw you in, but always somehow remain distant, cold, and dare I say, absent.

I was keen to learn more about Unaji and his inspirations, as I quickly sensed the young artist was one on the rise, and one who could potentially enjoy the celebrity status of contemporary British artists such as Damien Hirst and Chris Ofili, once his scent is picked up by the perpetually starved established art patrons and collectors.

Dragons’ Den style. Imagine that in any African household,’’ he laughed.

What really peaked my interest in Unaji was that for an artist of such obvious promise, where most emerging artists would stick to honing their craft, he somehow also manages to dabble and excel in other mediums of art and creativity, not least fashion design and modeling. With such a renaissance approach to the arts, I wondered what his thoughts on fine and street art were, as well as his other creative outlets and interests.

‘‘Street art is an attempt to encourage critical thinking - almost like society is sitting in one group critique. A bit ironic for a fashion model, but I think social media’s influence on a searching Unaji is a multimedia fine artist of Nigerian origin, based in London and generation is one to beware. The street art is a way to represent someone disKent, whose work combines painting, secting information and extracting the drawing, collage and fashion design. essence of “I’m one ‘‘Street art is an attempt to encourage criti- statements. I half of art and design cal thinking - almost like society is sitting in want aspects one group critique. A bit ironic for a fashion of my work company, Unaji & Co, model, but I think social media’s influence to remind and I’m also on a searching generation is one to beware. people that currently The street art is a way to represent someone the online studying dissecting information and extracting the world is superficial.

Fine Art at essence of statements.

I think for Kingston School of Art,’’ said the artist. one to exist in a personally balanced and successful condition is the greatest ‘‘My upbringing was key to my jourstatement of all.’’ ney – my two loving parents had a profound impact on my perspective ‘‘Fine art, to me, is just the exaggerated version of life; it’s all about language, on life. A real close family, my parents’ separation played a monumental role perspective and communicating emotions. Fine art is central as it allows me on focusing my ambition. In 2015, my to incorporate aspects of modeling and brother Lemuel, who’s also an artist, and I pitched the idea of art and design fashion.” as a viable career path to our mum,

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"ALI" AND "EVE WITH SERPENT"

‘‘The irrational nature of art creates an arena for discussion, being at university has been vital on my journey as an artist, the critiques with tutors are pivotal. I think it’s metaphorical in the sense that all people should be held accountable for what they choose to contribute to society. That open space for critical and effective discussion is at times undervalued.’’

Whilst balancing art, modeling, fashion design, and academics, Unaji still manages to catch the eye of emerging art collectors from the music industry, most notably UK grime sensation Skepta, who Unaji featured in a mixed media portrait alongside the iconic Naomi Campbell.

As an avid art enthusiast, my immediate and obvious question was simply, what

is next for Unaji? Surely he must be represented by a contemporary gallery, or is being hotly pursued by every art dealer within a square mile of Mayfair. ‘‘I’m excited to be a part of the House of African Art (HAART), a gallery founded in 2018 by British-Nigerian lawyer, Maryam Lawal. Destined for greatness, a platform that will showcase new perspectives on artistic talent coming from the continent and a resistance to the stereotypical characterization of works by artists from the African continent - it would be impossible for me not to be involved with such an unapologetically bold movement.”

“My work is about organic growth and honest working relationships, we continually connect with people at the right

point in our journey by God’s grace. So many working relationships about to blossom in 2019.’’

My intuition and silent observation informs me that a lot will certainly be blossoming in 2019 for the talented polymath especially as he enters a period of hibernation to immerse himself completely in a new body of work in anticipation for the HAART launch in March 2019.

If I were a betting man, I’d absolutely wager that if Emmanuel Unaji continues to gather momentum, becoming as impactful in the world of fashion, art and design as Warhol was in his heyday, and as Virgil Abloh and Alessandro Michele are today.

‘‘Fine art, to me, is just the exaggerated version of life; it’s all about language, perspective and communicating emotions. Fine art is central as it allows me to incorporate aspects of modeling and fashion.” page 100

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GLOBAL WIFI + POWER COUPON CODE: HTPOLO

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BOEING BUSINESS JET

The company launched the 777X in Dubai, showcasing renderings for their business jets set to launch in 2020.

NOISE-CANCELING KENNELS

Launched by Ford Motor Co., noise-canceling technology will save Man's Best Friend from the terror of fireworks, sirens, and thunder. Thanks, Detroit.

Opposite page: Skyroam SOLIS provides unlimited global WiFi at your fingertips in over 100 countries page 105

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Business Travel in Style

BOEING'S BBJ 777X: AIRBORNE LUXURY The upcoming Boeing 777X has some big shoes to fill. The new wide-body is set to be Boeing’s next flagship and the replacement for the iconic 747 jumbo jet.

And now there will be a private-jet version of the airliner.

On Monday, Boeing Business Jets launched the BBJ 777X at the Middle East Business Aviation Association Show in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“Our most exclusive customers want to travel with the best space and comfort and fly directly to their destination,” Greg Laxton, the head of Boeing Business Jets, said in a statement. “The new BBJ 777X will be able to do this like no other airplane before it, redefining ultra-long-range VIP travel.”

Since 1996, BBJ has been turning page 106

Boeing’s commercial airliners into opulent private jets for the world’s wealthy elite. BBJ doesn’t sell many planes, with just 261 orders in company history, but the aircraft it does turn out are works of flying art.

In addition to the 777X, BBJ has developed private-jet versions of the 737, the 787 Dreamliner, and the 747. Here’s a closer look at the new BBJ 777X: •

•

•

Boeing says the BBJ 777-8 has a range of 13,400 miles, while the BBJ 777-9 can go for up to 12,700 miles. That’s several thousand miles farther than the airliner versions of the planes can fly.

Boeing says the BBJ 777X is the longest-range private jet ever made, meaning flights from Sydney to London or Seattle to Dubai are possible.

Power comes from GE’s massive

GE9X engine, which it says returns 5% lower fuel consumption than rival powerplants while significantly lowering emissions.

•

The 777X boasts a 236-foot wingspan, along with a cabin that’s 7.9 feet tall and nearly 20 feet wide.

•

The 777-9 is 33 feet longer than the 777-8. The 777-8 boasts 3,256 square feet of interior space, while the 777-9 has 3,689 square feet, or about as much as a large suburban home.

•

Boeing showed off interior concepts for the 777X from three firms.

•

The Boeing 777-8 has a list price of $394.9 million. The larger 777-9 costs $425.8 million.

•

The Boeing 777-9 is expected to enter service in 2020, with the 777-8 following soon after.

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NOISE-CANCELING KENNEL FOR MAN'S BEST FRIEND

Ford Motor Co. has developed a prototype quiet kennel for dogs by using noise-cancellation technology created for high-end vehicles sold in Europe.

For years, veterinarians have urged people to find quiet space for their pets because holiday fireworks can terrify the animals. They run away, get hit by cars, develop anxiety and stress that can lead to injury and self-harm. Dogs have an acute sense of hearing that is far superior to humans, so loud noises can be especially painful and upsetting.

“We get animals that are absolutely scared to death,” said Michele Mara, a vet tech at Gasow Veterinary Hospital in Birmingham. “They go through glass windows, rip the house up on the Fourth of July. They don’t like the sound of guns or fireworks. They just don’t handle it well. Many people often medicate the animals.”

The Ford quiet kennel design detects noise and transmits opposing frequencies. In addition to noise cancellation, the structure also has a soundproofing page 108

component and an automatic door.

Mara sees a strong sales potential if the kennel is produced commercially.

Ford uses the technology in its Edge/ Endura SUV that went on sale in Australia in December 2018 for $44,990.

The kennels are not available for purchase and not yet being produced.

“All we’ve done is try to see how the technology could be used in life,” Ireson said during a phone interview while he delivered Christmas cards on his lunch break outside London. “If there’s enough interest, we’ll explore the technology” for production.

“We’re not in the dog kennel business,” Anthony Ireson, director of marketing and communications for Ford Europe, said, laughing.

But if someone wants to develop the prototype? Ford is open to the idea.

“We wondered how the technologies we use in our cars could be applied to help in other situations. Could dogs enjoy quieter New Year’s Eve celebrations through the application of our Active Noise Control system?” Lyn West, brand content manager, marketing communications, Ford of Europe, told the Free Press.

“We have a few more ideas in progress as to how our everyday lives might benefit from a little Ford know-how.”

Dogs in the quiet kennels hear less sound and feel less vibration. The sound systems are located in microphones around the dog bed in the kennel.

The project started as just a way of showing technology that’s often invisible to the consumer and now available in cars, Ireson said. “It’s hard to demonstrate what can be done. This is the first of a series we’re doing about how our vehicle technology impacts life in other ways. This just struck a chord.”

The Dearborn-based company is a leader in high-tech patent development, based on the sheer volume of government applications filed for patents and trademarks globally. The carmaker recently made headlines for its work to eliminate new-car odors from vehicles, an issue that ranks among top complaints in China.

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WINE

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Cheers to 2019 WINE RESOLUTIONS

Cezar Kusik, wine contributor

let’s start by abolishing some of the And here we are once again; most prevailing, deeply rooted, erroneon the cusp of another new year. While feverishly involved ous misconceptions surrounding wine, its service, and handling. in the holiday madness, juggling time between shopping, The Myth: Only old red wines decorating, and decadent should be decanted. FALSE. parties with friends, coworkPrincipally there are two main reasons ers, and family, to decant wines: in the back 1) to aerate it and our minds, 2) to separate We hope for fitter, wine, also called some of us are smarter, richer, kinder, clarifying it, if already anticimore disciplined selves. necessary, from pating 2019. sediment.

We are, after all, only We’re planning Bottling wine is and promises so human. the final step in that, at the stroke its making, after of midnight on December 31, we’ll which the bottles are stored away with transition to 2019 a new and better very limited, yet crucial, exposure to version of… us. oxygen that seeps into the bottle from New Year’s resolutions! No matter the outside through the cork, allowing how predictable and often destined to for slow, gradual maturation. It’s like fail, we can’t help ourselves. We hope hibernating with slowed-down metabfor fitter, smarter, richer, kinder, more olism without certainty when you’ll be disciplined selves. We are, after all, only awakened. It could be weeks, months, human. years, decades, and, in rare occasions, even centuries. The natural cork allows As the resident wine contributor, I for about one milligram of oxygen per offer a humble suggestion: Upgrade year to enter the bottle to ensure slow, your “wining” experiences in 2019. steady maturation.

Regardless of wine’s role in your life, there are many ways to improve your But just like for any living creature, “wining” experiences that will enhance the “awakening” of the wine can be your own pleasure and to impress othconfusing and disorienting. Decanting ers. Whether it’s a casual glass of your is like a dip in cold lake or a hefty shot favorite Chardonnay after work in your of espresso. It rapidly exposes wine to kitchen, an impromptu stop at a local oxygen, which penetrates the liquid wine bar with a friend, or a 13-course quickly, freeing the wine’s imprisoned dinner at a 3-Michelin star restaurant, aromas, enhancing its bouquet and, before we further our wine knowledge, in the case of red wines, softening

the harshness of tannins. Both white and red wines benefit from decanting. Young wines particularly benefit from decanting since they haven’t had much time to mature – decanting is a sort of sped-up maturation. If the circumstances permit, decant young, robust, tannic red wines a few hours in advance. But be careful: very old wines, let’s say 30-plus years, may be better off without decanting. The rapid air exposure could shock their delicate, aged structure, causing the flavors to flatten and dissipate.

It’s imperative to store wines in the horizontal position to keep the cork moist, preventing it from shrinking. No one likes sediment in their wine. Sediment, known as wine dregs, comes in two forms: tartrate or colloids. Even though harmless, the excess of sediment can negatively affect your wine enjoyment.

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Cheers to 2019

mouth. With age, the amount of dregs may increase and become finer. Decanting is a way of separating the sediment particles from wine. By gently handling the bottle to avoid stirring the dregs, you slowly pour the wine into the decanter. A candle or any other source of light can be placed under the bottle to make the sediment more visible. This holiday season, treat yourself to a decanter and make your wines taste better in 2019 and forward.

WINE

The Myth: Wine tastes the same, no matter what style of glass you use.

FALSE Large, bowl-like wine glasses serve as decanters allowing for better, more thorough aeration of wine for a fuller range of aromas. The reason to consider your red wine glass shape, white wine glass shape, Pinot Noir glass shape, Chardonnay glass shape or Name-Your-Variety glass shape is that it changes how you perceive the wine – from its bouquet to its body and alcohol to its tannins and acidity. Lighter, more elegant grape varieties and wine styles tend to benefit from smaller glasses.

Fuller-bodied and more powerfully flavored wines usually like to flex their power in larger wine glasses.

The Myth: Smell the cork.

FALSE. Enjoying a night out at a fancy restaurant where your friends designated you to pick the wines page 114

for the evening since you’ve read a few issues of Wine Spectator?

After a quick consultation with the resident sommelier, you decide on a bottle of wine for the table. The bottle arrives from the cellar, the somm presents it, reads the label info, you approve, and the cork is pulled and placed in front of you. Do you pick it up and… No! Don’t smell it. That would be a clear sign of your uneducated manners.

Cork smells like… cork. So don’t smell the cork; smell the wine.

Smelling the wine will tell you of its condition. The presentation of the cork as part of wine service etiquette comes from older days and has little relevance at the present. And it definitely nothing to do with its scent.

So why the display? Back in the day when wine labeling wasn’t well-developed (or omitted all together) labels peeled off during the storage in damp, mossy cellars. It was on the cork where you verified the wine information authenticating its origins: the winery, the appellation, the vintage.

After smelling (the wine; not the cork) from your glass, sampling it, and giving a “go ahead” to the sommelier to pour the wine around the table, give that cork back to the sommelier (unless it’s worth pocketing as a souvenir). Then wait for your friends to ask, “Why didn’t you smell the cork?”

The Myth: All whites wines should be iced.

FALSE. Please don’t; by icing your white wines, especially the fuller-bodied, more complex ones like Burgundies, California Chardonnays, Rhone and Alsatian white varieties, you mute and suppress the flavors, dramatically reducing its full aromatic potential.

The average indoor temperature of a restaurant or home is about 70 degrees; a refrigerator should be set at about 45 degrees. Room temperature is too warm for red and your ‘fridge is too cold for whites. Unless you are using cellars or wine fridges, you’ll need to act counter intuitively about 30 minutes before serving wine. Remember this: chill your reds to 60-65F and warm your whites to 50-55F. How you ask?

Just pop that red into the refrigerator for a bit, while taking the white out and letting the room temperature warm it naturally.

The Myth: Naturally, organically made wines do not contain sulfites.

FALSE. Sulfites are a natural and unavoidable byproduct of wine-making and are present in lesser or larger amounts in all wines. Not worry it – if you can eat dried fruits, like apricots or prunes without any allergic reactions, it means you are not sulfite-sensitive. Dried fruits contain a much higher content of sulfites than any wine. You may be allergic to other compo-

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Our contributor and sommelier Cezar decanters a red over a candle at 25 Lusk in San Francisco.

nents in wine, or you may just simply drink too much.

The Myth: High-alcohol wines (14 percent or more for whites, 15 percent or more for reds) are imbalanced. A very debatable opinion.

Wines are made up of many different components resulting in overall structure: acids, astringency, concentration, density, presence or lack of oak treatment, sugar, fining and filtration, and alcohol. The ultimate goal of a wine maker is to create a wine where all its ingredients complement one another composing a balanced synergy of the final product. So, if a red wine comes in at, let’s say, 16 alcohol level and exhibits intense concentration of flavors backed

up by firm, healthy tannins, enriched by oak influence, one should not perceive it as imbalanced.

The Myth: Expensive wines are better. FALSE. Drink smarter; not more expensively.

Higher priced wines aren’t necessarily better. You may simply be paying for the name or the brand. The price of wine is often not reflective of its quality.

Use the expertise of your favorite, trusted sommelier or a proprietor of your local wine shop.

So in this upcoming New Year, and the years to follow, make a point of becoming your own amateur sommelier: drink smarter and more knowledgeably.

I hear it lessens the hangover. It should be one of the easiest and more pleasur-

able resolutions you’ve ever taken on and kept.

At the same time don’t let the technicalities of wine making and rules get in the way of wine’s main purpose: multi-faceted enjoyment. Maintain a balance of joy and knowledge to avoid the air of snobbery.

Whenever you decide to share your wine knowledge, some of your more cynical friends will tell you to relax, claiming that wine is just fermented grape juice. Here’s your response: Yes, it is. Just like a painting can just be streaks of paint on canvas, a book a pile of words on paper, or a musical piece a compilation of individual sounds. But when it’s not, it adds magic to our lives; or at least makes it more bearable. page 115

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AFRICA ONCape HORSEBACK Town to Botswana

WINING & DINING ON A POLO HOLIDAY Jennifer Sims, contributor

From the moment I booked my flight to South Africa, I knew I was in for one absolutely incredible and unique adventure.

I spent two and half weeks in South Africa and galloped through the gorgeous vineyards of the Cape Winelands, experienced my first safari on horseback and even found some spare time to play polo and do a bit of jumping. All while tasting fantastic wines, dining on delicious cuisine and making some lovely friends along the way.

I started out in Cape Town, where I met Louis Geyer, the owner of Cape Winelands Riding. I joined their seven-day Cape Gourmet Trail, which is a passion project of Geyer’s that he’s invested countless hours in perfect-

ing. Geyer’s vision for Cape Winelands Riding (CWR) was to establish relationships with wine estates and local venues that had historically not allowed horseback access.

The Cape Gourmet Trail is an unforgettable and exclusive trail-riding experience that takes you over diverse terrain and through expansive vineyards – as far as the eye can see. Geyer focuses the experience on the best in local dining and hospitality, with bountiful amounts of wine and, of course, some pretty awesome horses.

My horse for the week was Santiago, a fiery little chestnut Lipizzaner/Boerperd gelding who quickly became one of my all-time favorite horses ever to ride on holiday. The Boerperd is the South

African breed of horse that is sturdy and sure-footed, making it an excellent endurance horse.

A little about the Cape Winelands: they are situated just 40 minutes from the Cape Town International Airport and are widely heralded as home to some of the world’s best wines. Over the next seven days, we rode to multiple estates including Laborie Estate, Boschendal Estate, Kanonkop and Knorhoek Wine Estate Stellenbosch. We dined at fantastic local restaurants as well as a traditional South African braai at the home farm of CWR. Geyer also organized a very special dinner and wine tasting at family-owned and operated Mitre’s Edge.

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starting point, riding through vineyards, hillsides, forests and orchards until stopping for lunch at a different vineyard each day. During our break, we would either tie up the horses in the shade or let them relax and graze in a small paddock at the vineyards.

I can’t tell you how rad it is to ride your horse up a beautiful, winding driveway or through an immaculately manicured garden to a wine tasting. Okay, I can tell you – it’s unbelievably rad. We tasted some incredible wines at Plaisir De Merle, Backsberg and Anura Vineyards. Our wine tastings were always accompanied by an elaborate charcuterie platter featuring traditional appetizers. Some of the traditional South African appetizers we enjoyed were jaffles, which are basically sealed, toasted sandwiches which are hugely popular and can have a variety of delicious filling. We also had boerewors which are basically sausages made up of a mixture of beef and lamb.

Afterward, we hopped on our horses and continued our trail ride until we reached our destination for the evening.

Toward the middle of our seven-day adventure, we enjoyed a tasting menu dinner at Noop, an amazing restaurant in Paarl that turned out to be my favorite. Our delicious dinner was accompanied by a wine pairing provided by Danwin James of Pearl Mountain Wines, who taught us how to really do a wine tasting sommelier style – gurgling and all.

Knowing that Val De Vie, a luxury lifestyle estate and home to the Val De Vie Polo Club, was literally around the corner from the CWR farm I just had to visit the club. Geyer beat me to the punch, and being the amazing host that he is, had already arranged for me to join in the club’s practice chukkers one evening and also take a lesson with the club director Kevin Rixon.

The facilities at Val De Vie are exquisite and not only outfitted for polo, but also with showjumping and dressage arenas as well. There are also tennis courts, pools, mountain-biking trails and a fully equipped health club.

The marketing director Ryk Neethling, an Olympic Gold Medalist in swimming, runs the swimming school. I had the pleasure of meeting Neethling while attending the Cintron Pink Polo Tournament, which fell on the same day as my arrival in Cape Town. The first half of my time in South Africa was more action-packed and fulfilling than I could have dreamed.

After the seven days of wining and riding around Cape Town, it was time to catch our flight to Botswana to do the Tuli Safari Ride with Limpopo Horse Safaris. Geyer had done this ride before and was very much tied in with Limpopo, so I was fortunate to have him accompany me for this part of my adventure as well.

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After a short flight to Botswana, we found ourselves in the Mashatu Game Reserve, the largest privately owned reserve in South Africa. It is comprised of over 29,000 hectares (72,000 acres) of protected wilderness area in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve. The terrain is as diverse as its landscape: we rode through wide-open plains, grasslands, forests, river beds, rocky hills and sandstone ridges.

Mashatu translates to “Land of the Giants” and takes its name from the Mashatu or Nyala berry tree, which are everywhere and also the “giants” that roam the area in abundance. During the eight-day ride, there was not one day that I did not see elephants, impala and giraffe. In fact, I saw more than I could have imagined: cheetah, leopard, lion, hyena, zebra, baboon, warthog, bat-eared fox, ostrich and so much more.

Like the Cape Gourmet Trail, we stayed at different accommodations almost every night. One of my favorites was Kgotla Camp, which is an old tribal court relocated to the banks of the Motloutse River -- basically an open-air, traditional African camp built with logs. We slept under the stars for two nights at this special camp and awoke to the songs of too many birds to count and some pretty playful baboons and monkeys.

Each day, we spent about six hours in the saddle. My trusty steed for the week was Monate, a Boerperd/Saddlebred, with whom I also fell completely in love. Our wonderful guides David and Tapelo (affectionately known as Tips) were incredible. They possessed unsurpassably trail knowledge and never got us into any sticky situations with the wild animals. Each evening, we went out either on a sunset ride or game drive and let me tell you, if you haven’t gotten to enjoy a sunset in Botswana, you need to make it a priority ASAP. Each rider was matched perfectly with their horse. Those who wanted to jump got to play a bit over some natural fences. After sunset, we made our way back to camp to enjoy cocktails and then dinner. The food was amazing. Chefs and sisters Martha and Grace prepared the most delicious meals – perfect combinations of gourmet comfort food with a bit of local flair. We were beyond spoiled.

I will definitely be adding these holiday packages to my roster of riding holidays for EqGlobeTrotter.

When an experience is this special , it must be shared. As Geyer says, once you visit South Africa, it becomes a part of you.

I’m pretty sure that’s true.

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It’s no longer a question of season or weather when it comes to visiting rooftop bars around the world. In 2014, 230 Fifth in New York was the first to install rooftop igloos on their terrace.

Heated, transparent igloos make it possible to enjoy drinks on rooftop bars even during the winter.

The rooftop igloo is, without doubt, the hottest trend in the rooftop scene. From London to Budapest to Boston, rooftop igloos are popping up at all the chicest spots just in time for winter season. The Rooftop Guide CEO Hans Ebenman recently completed visits and evaluations of some of the hottest rooftop bars sporting igloos.

230 FIFTH ROOFTOP BAR NYC 230 Fifth rooftop bar is one of the

largest and most famous rooftop bars in NYC, named after its location at 230 Fifth Avenue. The terrace has seating for approximately 1,000 people and offers some magical views of the Manhattan skyline, with the Empire State Building as a mighty focal point.

The rooftop 230 NYC delivers a wide selection of both food and drinks. There are well-made classic cocktails along with beer and wine, on tap or bottled, and a food menu ranging from bar bites to more full dinner meals like burgers, salmon, fish & chips and a big sushi menu. And best of all is the 230 Fifth brunch buffet, a ‘must try’ that is served every weekend from 10-4pm.

The roof terrace at 230 Fifth is open all year, with heaters for colder nights.

From November to May, keep extra warm inside their famous 230 Fifth Igloos. Heated and transparent, offering the same views as outside, you can enjoy

hot drinks, like our recommendation, the Bailey’s Boozy Hot Chocolate, and really have a fantastic winter rooftop experience.

Come for sunny drinks with a view during daytime or enjoy the vibrant party atmosphere night time. The 230 Fifth dress code is casual during the day and smart casual in the evenings. During Christmas you can even spot rooftop Santa’s up here and people – both locals and tourists – flock around these popular igloos.

BAR 54 NEW YORK Bar54 is also a great rooftop for a winter time visit, when the rooftop igloos are out. The bubble-like, transparent balls make for a really cool experience, and you can enjoy the view even on the coldest days.

Bar 54 New York is the highest rooftop bar in Times Square, and also among Hans Ebenman | The Rooftop Guide CEO

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ROOFTOP the highest in the city. As the name clearly suggests, the rooftop is located on the 54th floor at the Hyatt Centric Times Square, and offers a really superb river-to-river views, including the Chrysler Building and all of lower Manhattan. Bar 54 has one of the top views any of the best rooftop bars NYC has to offer.

The bar offers a really impressive drink menu, including a large set of well-crafted cocktails with farm-fresh, housemade ingredients. There are ‘Shaken and Refreshing’ ones, ‘Bubbles and Fizzes’ and ‘Tropical Excursions,’ along with beers, wines by the glass or bottle, a wide section of whiskey and also some tasty bar bites.

Since there are both an indoor and outdoor lounges, make sure to ask for a table on the terrace.

360 BAR BUDAPEST As the name suggests, 360 Bar Budapest (or just Rooftop 360) comes with a magical 360-degree view of Budapest. This relaxed and urban rooftop bar, located in the central part of Pest, close to the Budapest Operetta-theater, has perhaps the very best view of any Budapest rooftop bar. Perfect for some relaxing

IGLOOS

cocktails while taking in the city.

In winter, the rooftop is turned into an Igloo Garden, with large, plastic bulbs scattered around the terrace. Quite a cool sight, and perfect for keeping warm while still offering 360-views of the city.

The roof terrace is large and very open air, bathing in sun from morning until night. Quite simple in decoration but with fresh color and material choices and a lot of greenery, creating a “park-feel.”

With a laid back and fun atmosphere, 360 Bar is very popular, especially with a younger crowd. It is also an eventful rooftop bar with lots going on both day and night, like live DJs and artists performing or rooftop yoga with brunch.

LOOKOUT ROOFTOP BAR BOSTON The Envoy’s modern building, radiating light and glass is crowned by the Lookout Rooftop. The panoramic views of the Boston skyline and Boston Harbor are unmatched in the Boston’s Innovation District and on par with the best roof top venues in Boston. The uniquely-shaped bar is complemented by intimate seating groups and glowing fire pits. The covered igloo seating areas

have built-in ceiling mounted heaters for cool evenings. The beverage-only bar features unique house made craft cocktails, micro brews and wine by the glass collections.

COPPA CLUB LONDON Coppa Club is a space for eating, drinking, meeting and unwinding. Built around a central, brass bar that’s open on all-sides, Coppa Club has a raised lounge for working and winding down, a 250-cover restaurant with a marble herringbone floor, and a café with booths and a fireplace. Outside, there’s a large, south-facing terrace that catches the sun all day. All seating is designed to make the most of our view over the river.

For the winter, the terrace has been transformed into the coziest set up the Thames has to offer. With fluffy blankets & sheepskin rugs, sparkly night’s sky and unrivaled views of London’s Thameside skyline. It’s this winter’s dreamiest spot, ideal for hiding away from the cold and the city outside. And if it seems like this can’t get any better, it can. This year, they’ve partnered with Sipsmith to bring you a dedicated gin menu, including hot gin.

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SPIRITUALITY DEFINING THE DIVINE

OUR CHAKRAS BALANCING HEAVEN AND EARTH PART I Jyoti Paintel Bowles Spiritual Guidance Contributor

Achieving balance in the midst of our demanding lives during the most wonderful (hectic) time of the year, in a constant state of push and pull, rarely leaves time to feel complete or centered. Our external circumstances override our internal needs and desires; when ignored for too long, we become overwhelmed or burned out.

Yoga and meditation are increasingly popular strategies to address what has been coined the mind-body connection. Aside from proper diet, exercise, and rest for our physical bodies, we also need to give attention to our spiritual and emotional needs, which are keys to mental wellness.

Understanding the chakras further enhances the development of the mindbody connection. Through the chakra system, we can identify and fine-tune specific aspects that are out of balance.

Chakra is a Sanskrit word that translates into “wheel or disc.” Like wheels, our chakras are in motion – constantly spinning – and the output of that motion is energy. Our chakra energy centers represent significant areas of life: relationships, career, and, of course, our connection with the Divine.

To explain the chakras, I like to imagine there is a river running from the base of our seat to our head. Throughout this river are seven stations where water must pass in order for us to function optimally. When one or more of these stations is blocked, the flow becomes strained, or even completely constricted, causing a disruption in the whole system. This creates a sense of unease in our life – we feel that something isn’t right, but we have a difficult time pinpointing the cause.

the body, so when this energy center malfunctions, it can cause extreme instability. This can manifest as anxiety disorders, digestive problems, and feeling drained of motivation and physical strength.

Awareness – the simplest and most-effective tool in our self-healing – is the key to unblocking our chakras.

Little things can bring you closer to Earth: walking barefoot in the grass or sand, dancing and hiking will strengthen your root chakra.

Part I - The Earth Chakras: Root, Sacral, and the Solar Plexus The seven chakra energy centers are divided into two categories: Heaven and Earth. The Earth chakra is the root chakra, which, as the names implies, roots us to the ground – associated with stability.

When confronted with feelings of anxiety or unsteadiness, simply acknowledge it; don’t try to dissect why it is happening… yet. Remember that self-criticism is tunnel vision that limits our ability to problem solve.

Exercise: While envisioning your root chakra becoming stronger, meditate and repeat the word “lam,” which is the mantra associated with this chakra. Indulge in red foods that bring you pleasure such as pomegranates, beets, berries, and tomatoes.

It is also the source of our identity – what we know to be true about our physical and emotional selves – and confidence, so having a healthy root chakra is vital to spiritual balance.

The root chakra produces feelings of security and safety, even through the uncertainty and chaos of life.

The orange sacral chakra lies in the pelvic area and controls sexuality and creativity. When the sacral chakra is in balance, sexuality is an expression of creativity, pleasure, connection, and healing. Creation is a natural urge in humans – we use this energy in activities such as crafting art and design, cooking, gardening, and, of course, procreating.

It is the foundation for the rest of

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SPIRITUALITY DEFINING THE DIVINE

OUR CHAKRAS BALANCING HEAVEN AND EARTH PART I a flow of movement are associated with the sacral chakra, imbalance can result in sexual frustration and dysfunction, as well as creative blocks. Unfortunately, depression and addictions tend to emerge as a way to cope with these feelings.

Exercise: Ask yourself if you fear emotional or physical intimacy, without focusing on why. Does the idea of change scare you?

Acknowledge and accept your truth. Tell yourself that you are now on your journey back to health and abundance. The orange Sacral chakra is associated with water, and so one of the best remedies is to immerse yourself in a body of water.

Stand or sit in water and observe the flow of water as it moves around you and silently repeat the mantra “vam.”

Enjoy orange –rich foods such as mangoes, carrots, and citrus. Buy yourself a piece of bright amber jewelry and use it as a touchstone when you feel anxiety or fear.

Use this affirmation: “I am beautiful, creative, and unique.” Say this often to yourself in the mirror, even if it feels silly at first. The brilliant Dr. Seuss once

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wrote: “Words become thoughts, and thoughts become things, so think good thoughts.”

The third chakra is the solar plexus.

Located at our navel, it is associated with our ego, ambition, and our sense of power. Because it is connected to the ego, it governs our self-esteem, as well as our ability to go through life’s transformations with confidence and courage.

Our metabolism is directly linked to solar plexus energy, and when it is freely moving through us, we have a strong vision of our goals and the resolve to move toward them.

Buddhism uses the word samskaras to describe impressions or wounds from the past that are buried deep into our subconscious.

Exercise: Ask yourself if you have unfounded fears or a lack of willpower.

Additionally, a blockage in our solar plexus is distinctly felt in the physical realm through poor metabolism, digestion, and weight issues. Most emotional blockage stems from a fear of abandonment or rejection and cause anger and

control issues. If we feel a lack of control over our circumstances, it is often because we are doing too much or trying to please too many people, which leads to feelings of insecurity and frustration if we cannot manage.

Creating small, daily goals and accomplishing them can ease worries about the future and develop self-acceptance.

Creating contentment about our victories, however small, allows us to develop clarity about the bigger picture. Basking quietly next to a fire, decorating your space with sunflowers or other bright yellow flowers, and just bathing in the sun meditating to the mantra “ram,” are some simple ways to fortify the solar plexus, as is eating yellow rich foods such as: bananas, turmeric, and ginger.

Begin 2019 with a deeper understanding of the chakras and prepare yourself for a year of unleashed experiences, unlike anything you’ve known before.

Next month’s column will describe the four Heaven chakras and the importance of using our ability to connect our presence on Earth with the realm of Heaven.

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DOJO 5 étagères noires, 4 formes mobiles géométriques devant et 3 fixes à l’arrière : telle est la bibliothèque Dojo, inspirée des cloisons coulissantes traditionnelles japonaises. À finir en chêne ou en laque brillante, suivant son penchant.

D O J O, B I B L I O T H È Q U E .

M O N T G O L F I È R E , FA U T E U I L .

C H E S S , TA B L E S B A S S E S E T D E S S E R T E S .

D O J O, B O O KC A S E M O N T G O L F I È R E , A R M C H A I R. C H E S S , C O C K TA I L A N D S I D E TA B L E S .

The Dojo bookcase was inspired by traditional Japanese sliding partitions and features 5 black shelves, 4 mobile geometric shapes in front and 3 fixed shapes in the back.

It is available with oak or glossy lacquer finish.

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COACH WINE: FUNCTIONAL TRAINING FOR

FAT LOSS &

MUSCLE GROWTH

"I cannot state it more simply: growth hormone is the key behind fat loss and lean muscle growth."

By Mark Wine BA; CSCS; USAW; PT, PES, CES

Fat loss and muscle growth occur when growth hormone and lactate concentrations levels are elevated within the body.

Metabolically focused workouts, which involve intense resistance training, result in increased lactate and growth hormone concentrations.

I cannot state it more simply: growth hormone is the key behind fat loss and lean muscle growth.

The common misconception with fat-loss focused training is that aerobic/ cardiovascular training is of

the highest priority. In fact, some studies point to the opposite. In these studies, persons who solely focused on aerobic training often end up increasing their fat levels or lose insignificant amounts of fat. The metabolic demands of the workout stimulated fat storage and type I fiber recruitment. Although aerobic-focused training can increase lactate concentrations, which is beneficial for fat loss, aerobic training will decrease lean mass, lower growth hormone levels and, therefore, increase body fat.

An exception: persons who are sedentary and start a program focused on aerobic training can often lose fat and weight in the beginning, but the results are often short-lived. Most studies that point to aerobic training as a successful fat-loss method involve non-active participants. Another common practice is to limit the time of observation to a short period of time. So if aerobic training isn’t a great way to

lose fat, what is?

Weight lifting, power lifting and resistance training, which involve complex multi-joint movements with medium to high volumes, has proven to produce the most favorable results. One study calculated the exact lactate response of the power clean movement under different volumes. The low volume power clean tested three sets of three at 90 percent, one rep max (RM).

The medium volume power clean tested three sets of six repetitions at 85 percent, on RM. The high volume power clean tested three sets of nine repetitions at 75 percent, one RM. The results showed that the high-volume power clean stimulated a much greater lactate response (7.43 mmol/L) than the low-volume power clean did (4.03 mmol/L).

We know that fat loss requires lactate concentrations to be elevated within the body in order for growth

hormone to be produced.

Therefore, for fat loss and lean muscle growth, incorporating higher volumes more frequently is essential to achieve optimal results.

Complex multi-joint exercises produce the greatest amount of lactate concentration and growth hormone production due to their metabolic demands. More muscles are active in unison, which involves higher metabolic stress on the body. The study we looked at involved the power clean, which is an Olympic weightlifting exercise. Olympic weightlifting requires countless hours of practice in order to be able to properly perform the movement without being injured. The exercise, when performed correctly, recruits type II muscle fiber because of its explosive movement pattern. The power clean is most often kept to a low repetition count in order to prevent technique breakdown and reduce the risk of continued on page x page 149

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COACH WINE: FUNCTIONAL TRAINING FOR

FAT LOSS

& MUSCLE GROWTH injury. Typically speaking, five to six repetitions should be the maximum number of repetitions performed for one set.

In contrast to the industry norm, I have found that, for advanced athletes, performing the power clean near the end of the workout is advantageous in attaining strength and power endurance, which is an integral part of modern-day sports.

This tactic must be kept to the more advanced weight lifters. Take caution in those performing higher repetitions with Olympic movements, which can decrease strength and power because of the lightened load. Therefore, be sure that you incorporate more traditional repetition counts that require 85-95 percent, one RM, at least one to two days per week.

A program geared for fat loss and lean muscle growth should perform higher volume training, typically eight to 15 repetitions with shorter rest times (30-60 seconds), at least two to three days per week. The other one to two days of training should incorporate strength focused lifts that involves slightly lower repetitions at 85-95 percent, one RM. Exercises that should be chosen throughout the program are dead lifts, squats, power cleans, RDLs, Bulgarian squats, split squats, bench press, pull ups, and military press.

Complex multi-joint movements with higher volumes and limited rest times will turn your body into a fat burning and lean muscle building machine.

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MOLD YOUR MIND

WHO IS THE REAL

COMPETITION? PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS

Have you been told that you could not do something or that you were not good enough, and you believed them? Growing up and into adulthood, this was the case for me on the regular.

When my high school basketball coach told me I was not proficient at certain skills, instead of working to perfect them, I figured he was right.

When a manager told me I did not have the required skills for a promotion, I believed them and became stationary in my position. All of this happened because I let others’ words dictate my actions.

In the sports industry and in the business world, there is one constant: competition. Whether scouting an opponent’s plays, identifying their best player, or looking at sales strategies and the competitor, we tend to focus on what our competition is up to.

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Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric, said, “Don’t over-brain things to the point of inaction.” Welch meant that when we think about what to do too much, we end up doing nothing. Therefore, our competitors do not actually hold us back, but rather our Self is the main culprit. We must defeat your Self before you can defeat your competition.

Slump Cycle Drs. David Grand and Alan Goldberg established what is known as the slump cycle.

The slump cycle states that performance problems are our own problems. Mistakes lead us to feel confused and embarrassed, we begin to overthink, we face an increase in self-directed anger, we become distracted, and we exhibit an increase in physical and mental tension.

In baseball, you are considered successful if you get a hit 30 percent of the time. In basketball, you are considered a great shooter if you make 40% of your shots. In sales, it takes an average of eight cold calls to receive one prospect. Mistakes are inevitable and are bound to happen in anything you do.

Responding with negativity, self-doubt, anger, and embarrassment only make it more difficult to convert that misfortune into opportunity.

The R.A.R.E. Perspective Model Altering your perspective can significantly impact your perform when you are not performing at your known level of capabilities.

Think of the acronym R.A.R.E. that stands for: Recognize, Acknowledge, Replace, and Evaporate.

The first step is to recognize that you are being hard on yourself or you are in a negative mindset. Recognizing these statements help increase awareness that you are the one who is causing this feeling; nobody else.

The second step is to acknowledge where you went wrong. This is a reflective stage, where you may find some information in your sales pitch that was a bit off, or you were too worried about missing that next free throw that you forgot proper shooting form.

The third step is to replace those negative, misguiding statements with improvements.

For example, if I missed a free throw because I was distracted, I could replace that statement with, “Next time, I want to take a deep breath, go through my routine, and let it fly!” Also, notice that I used the word “want” to make improvements and not “need.” Using the word “need” subconsciously adds more pressure than the word “want,” so you should want to make changes in order to help you be more successful.

Finally, you want to elevate your performance. Whether in business or in sports, once you replace that misguiding information with a process-oriented statement, the next step is to put that information into action and gain control of your performance.

Remember, if you do not believe that you can win, or that you can be successful, then you have already lost the battle. You – no one else – are in control of our own thoughts. Do not let your thoughts and your mind defeat you. Give yourself a chance and take on those other competitors with a strong mindset.

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