Death-Defying Acrobat breaks World Record at International Circus Festival!

the tightrope walker Viktoriia Dziuba who plays with and makes the human body do things that amaze. Rounding out the Silver Clowns were the couple performing on the aerial hoop with the enchanting name Secret of my soul, the horse trainer Alex Giona and the young tiger trainer Bruno Togni. Added to his Silver Clown, Bruno Togni also swooped up four special prizes including that from the junior jury and the public. Two New Generation juniors Vladislava Naraieva and contortionist Sofiia Hrechko also crowned themselves with Silver.

Another four clowns were needed to award the depth of talent — this time Bronze. They included the Bingo troupe with Pauline Ducruet also netting a special prize for the Best costume of the troupe. The three other Bronzes included the Mystery of Gentlemen troupe, a knife throwing spectacular by the couple named Deadly Games and Elisa Cussadie and her parrots. Notably from the New Generation juniors Kimberly Zavatta received a junior bronze for her performance on aerial straps.

The International Circus Festival de MonteCarlo was back after 2 years of postponement due to the pandemic. The 45th edition of the festival and the 10th edition of New Generation Competition kicked off in the presence of HSH Princess Stéphanie, HSH Prince Albert II, Louis and Marie Ducruet and Camille Gottlieb at the Chapiteau de Fontvieille on 20 January. The festival started with a bang when death-defying acrobat Wesley Williams broke a world-record during the first evening of the Festival when he pedalled around the big top on a 10.6 metre tall unicycle! Princess Stéphanie, Louis Ducruet, Charlotte Casiraghi and her son Raphaël Elmaleh attended the festival’s 2nd day on Saturday 21 January. On Sunday 22 January, Christian Estrosi, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur and Mayor of Nice came to enjoy the festival with his entire family.

Every year, Princess Stéphanie is very involved in the organization of the festival, selecting the best international acts for audiences in Monaco. The jury of circus professionals, specialists and journalists, under her chairmanship has made its decision for the best circus acts, including awarding the coveted Golden Clown (Clown d’or), Silver Clown (Clown d’argent) and Bronze Clown (Clown de bronze), in the form of statuettes to 2023’s heros. René Casselly Jr who performs with his two partners Merrylu Casselly and Quincy Azzario, took the Golden Clown this year. As for the New Generation competition, Ameli Bilyk took the Junior Gold.

There’s only one gold but so much talent that the jury also awarded six Silver Clowns respectively to the trapeze troupe Flying Martini, the acrobatic troupe Mustafa Danguir for their acrobatics on a giant wheel,

Young artists have always been revered and encouraged in Monte-Carlo and Pauline Ducruet did the honours for tradition on this occasion by pre -

Resounding Victory in the Davis Cup for Monaco at the MonteCarlo Country Club

There was a lot at stake when the Principality’s best tennis players were pitted against Dominican Republic in Monaco in the Davis Cup at the MonteCarlo Country Club. In World Regional Group 2, a string of defeats could have them relegated to Regional Group 3. A string of victories and promotion to Regional Group 1 would be the dream. In the knowledge that the Domincan Republic’s number two had reached the top 200 in the world in the past, there was tension going into the first match. Valentin Vacherot for Monaco showed his strength of character beating his opponent Roberto Cid Subervi, in three sets. Lucas Catarina for the Principality beat the odds by winning against the Dominican Nick Hardt. The doubles, had become decisive for securing the essential third win and overall victory. Hugo Nys and Romain Arneodo for the red and whites had their work cut out as the match went to a tie-break in the first set. With three match victories that was it — overall victory for the Monegasques and official integration into World Group 2 of the Davis Cup.