Category: Sports & Toys

Looking Ahead to an Exhilarating 2018 Formula 1 Season

The 2018 Formula 1 Season kicked off with a competitive field at the Australian Grand Prix, with many more exhilarating races and glamorous events to look forward to throughout the year.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel celebrated his 48^th career win at the Melbourne Grand Prix in Australia, defeating Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton along with Ferrari teammate Kimi Räikkönen in a flurry of luck and adrenaline. With a fiercely competitive field among the top drivers, it is sure to be a thrilling Formula 1 season.

The 2018 season consists of 21 races, with the Malaysian Grand Prix dropping off the calendar, and the returning of Grand Prix races in France and Germany.

From adrenaline-charged races to dazzling lifestyle events, there is plenty to look forward to in the 2018 Formula 1 Season.

Amber Lounge

Celebrating 15 years of incredible lifestyle experiences at Formula 1’s at most exhilarating Grand Prix destinations, Amber Lounge is where VIP guests celebrate the race weekends with F1 drivers, celebrities, royalty, sports and movie stars.

With exclusive events and packages in Monaco, Singapore and Abu Dhabi, including the Amber Lounge Fashion Show, dining, world-class entertainment and spectacular Grand Prix after-parties, Amber Lounge offers a high-octane experience.

In order to experience the Monaco Grand Prix in true style, Amber Lounge offers a Race Viewing and Celebrity Yacht experience. From viewing the race from a spacious deck to welcoming F1 Drivers on-board, Amber Lounge provides the ultimate Monaco GP experience, all with exceptional hospitality, dining, free-flowing champagne and premium spirits.

Amber Lounge Hospitality is available to tailor a truly unique and immersive Grand Prix weekend. From luxury accommodations and VIP transfers to unrivaled race viewing and driver appearances at the Paddock Club, Race Viewing Suites and Terraces or Private Yacht Charter, Amber Lounge Hospitality goes the extra mile to create the perfect Grand Prix weekend.

Learn more & find tickets at Amber Lounge.

Ocean Blue World Glamour Racing Night

The 2018 edition of Ocean Blue World’s Glamour Racing Night is sure to be another show-stopping affair, kicking off the highly anticipated Gran Premio de Mexico.

With VIP guests and the heart-pounding suspense and exhilarating energy of the Mexico Grand Prix, Ocean Blue World Glamour Racing Night 2018 is set to be nothing short of spectacular.

The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award

Among the top automotive awards in the world, this year’s The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award was awarded to a rare and beautiful 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic.

The third annual The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award brought together eight of the world’s finest classic cars, all internationally-renowned best of show winners, to compete for the title of the most exceptional motor car in the world.

The winning Bugatti is co-owned by the Mullin Automotive Museum, and Rob and Melani Walton, located in California, USA. The vehicle was also named “Best of Show Concours d’Etat” at the 2017 Chantilly Arts & Elegance.

Powered by a supercharged engine and considered by many to be the first supercar ever made, the winning Bugatti is one of four Type 57 Atlantic models ever produced, with only three in the world remaining.

The vehicle was designed at the height of the art deco movement by Jean Bugatti, Ettore Bugatti’s son. Jean based the car on his other design, the 1935 Aérolithe concept car, which was famously riveted externally, for fear of the magnesium-alloy body parts catching fire. Jean kept this signature riveted seam on the all-aluminum body of the Atlantic.

Previously presented during Monterey Car Week, the award moved to Paris this year to be presented during the world-famous Rétromobile event. The Bugatti was presented at an exclusive reveal party in The Peninsula Paris’ subterranean garage, following a private dinner.

 

Other finalists for the prestigious award included:

1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Spider by Touring: Amelia Island Concours de Sport

1951 Ferrari 212 Export Cabriolet by Vignale, design by Giovanni Michelotti: The Gran Turismo Ferrari Cup, Cavallino Classic

1936 Bugatti Type 57 SC Coupé Atlantic, design by Jean Bugatti: Chantilly Arts & Elégance Richard Mille

1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale Prototipo by Bertone, design by Franco Scaglione: Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este

1933/35 Lancia Astura Aerodinamica Coupé by Castagna: Concours of Elegance Hampton Court Palace

1957 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet by Pinin Farina: Goodwood Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance

1929 Mercedes-Benz S Roadster by Barker: Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

1964 ATS 2500 GTS Coupé by Allemano, design by Franco Scaglione: The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering

The winning vehicle was selected after being reviewed by 24 automotive experts, designers and notable celebrities within the motoring world.

For more information about The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award, visit Peninsula Hotels.

 

Winners of the 2018 Laureus World Sport Awards in Monaco

The 2018 Laureus World Sports Awards celebrated the world’s most outstanding athletes of the year, including Sportsman of the Year, Roger Federer, Sportswoman of the Year, Serena Williams, and Team of the Year, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team.

A dazzling assembly of the greatest sportsmen, sportswomen and teams from throughout the sporting world were nominated for the prestigious Worlds Sports Awards.

For a record fifth time, Roger Federer was named Laureus World Sports Sportsman of the Year, as well as awarded Comeback of the Year.

Also from the realm of tennis was Serena Williams, who was named Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year, after recently winning the Australian Open.

Through supreme performance and success, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team secured the Laureus World Team of the Year award.

“There’s so much expertise in all parts of our team, I feel so proud to be a part of it,” said Mercedes’ world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Each winner received the esteemed Laureus Statuette, crafted by Cartier, representing the striving human form with an engraved representation of the continents.

Sports fans around the world also played a significant role by voting in a global poll for the Laureus Best Sporting Moment of the Year Award, which highlighted the most remarkable sporting triumph of the year.

The exclusive Awards Ceremony in Monaco was attended by the some of the greatest living sports legends, past and present. The Awards also showcased the incredible ability of sports to transform the lives of young people around the world, though the work of Laureus Sport for Good.

With host Benedict Cumberbatch and a performance by Emili Sandé at the famous “Salle des Etoiles”, part of The Sporting Club Monte Carlo, and top names of the sporting world, the Awards night was one to remember.

Congratulations to all Nominees and Award Winners!

See the full list of 2018 Laureus World Sport Awards winners below.

 

Sportsman of the Year

Roger Federer

(Switzerland) Tennis

Sportswoman of the Year

Serena Williams

(USA) Tennis

Team of the Year

Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

(Germany) Motor Racing

Breakthrough of the Year

Sergio Garcia

(Spain) Golf

Comeback of the Year

Roger Federer

(Switzerland) Tennis

Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability

Marcel Hug

(Switzerland) Athletics

Action Sportsperson of the Year

Armel Le Cléac’h

(France) Sailing

Lifetime Achievement Award

Edwin Moses

(USA)

Sport For Good

Active Communities Network

(UK, Ireland, South Africa)

Sporting Inspiration of the Year

J. J. Watt

(USA)

Best Sporting Moment of the Year

Eternal Champions (Chapecoense)

(Brazil)

Exceptional Achievement Award

Francesco Totti

(Italy)

 

Top Moments of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang (So Far)

Highlights from the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang

Beginning with the elegant pageantry and excitement of the parade of athletes in the Opening Ceremony, the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea has already presented history-defining moments.

Canada’s champion ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir helped secure Canada’s first gold medal in  at PyeongChang, by winning the short and free dance, and winning the team event.

With their new hardware, Virtue and Moir join the club of the most decorated figure skaters in Olympic history, tied with two retired Olympians. Virtue and Moir will contend for another medal in ice dancing. Should they land on the podium in that event, they will break the medals record

Another top moment was US skater Mirai Nagasu’s skate, where she became the first US woman to land a triple axel at the Olympic Winter Games. She is only the third woman to successfully land this maneuver at the Olympic Winter Games.

Also for the US, the legendary Shaun White became the first snowboarder ever to claim three Olympic gold medals, which was also the 100^th all-time gold medal for the US in the Winter Olympics

Youthful Energy Brings Gold Rush to These Young Olympic Athletes

 

Young Olympics athletes have dominated the Winter Games in Pyeongchang across a range of sports.

17-year-old American snowboarder, Chloe Kim, soared magnificently to win a gold medal in the women’s Snowboarding Halfpipe.

Another American teenager, 17-year-old snowboarder Red Gerard, made his mark on the sport after winning the men’s Slopestyle.

Norway’s 21-year-old Johannes Hoesfolt Klaebo surged ahead triumphantly for a win in the men’s Cross Country Sprint classic, as well as becoming the youngest gold medal winner ever in men’s Cross Country skiing.

Dutch Domination in Speed Skating

The Dutch team continues to dominate in Speed Skating, already having won 8 of 12 medals, including all four golds.

The Netherland’s Ireen Wust set a new record in the sport and became the most decorated Olympic speed skater, and the most successful Dutch Olympian in history.

New at the 2018 Winter Olympics

Curling Mixed Doubles made its debut at the 2018 Winter Olympics, with a one female and one male player competing with six stones, instead of the traditional eight stones.

In the final, Canada topped the reigning world champions from Switzerland.

Canada’s Kaitlyn Lawes, a gold medalist in the women’s competition at Sochi 2014, and John Morris, a men’s team champion at Vancouver 2010, made Olympic history as the first-ever winners of the mixed doubles in Curling.

Other new events at the 2018 Winter Olympics include Speed Skating Mass Start, a Mixed Team Alpine Skiing Team Event, and Snowboard Big Air.

Renowned Yacht Builder Hinckley Unveiled the World’s First Fully Electric Luxury Yacht

Hinckley, the distinguished New England builder of fine yachts, continues its legacy of craftsmanship and innovation by unveiling the world’s first fully electric luxury yacht – Dasher.

With fully electric propulsion, the soundless Dasher produces zero emissions. Without sacrificing capability, the vessel maintains the superior performance and handling that have earned Hinckley admiration from sailors and yachtsmen around the world.

Designed with a carbon-epoxy composite hull shape, titanium hardware and hand-painted Artisanal Teak, the ultra-lightweight vessel is the lightest Hinckley ever.

Along with modern styling and signature touches of teak, Dasher features new high-tech touchscreen controls and a retractable windshield. In order to achieve this lithe, sophisticated construction, each piece – from the hardware to the console – has been meticulously created using advanced 3D printing technology.

Dasher powers her 28 feet 6 inches with twin 80hp electric motors and dual BMW i3 lithium ion batteries, delivering unbelievably silent propulsion. This electric-powered yacht charges twice as fast as most plug-in electric cars. A full charge is reached in under four hours with dual 50amp charging, which is a standard on most docks.

Cruising speed is 10mph with fast cruising at 18-27 mph. The range reaches 40 miles at cruising speed, and 20-25 miles at fast cruising speeds.

As on all Hinckley Yachts, a shallow draft allows boaters to explore places that would be inaccessible on other yachts, making the Dasher suitable for day boaters as well as superyacht owners.

Without compromising aesthetic or functionality, this clean-powered luxury yacht is effortlessly suited for comfort. The touch screen panel makes navigating and controlling the yacht simple, while the open layout allows for numerous possible configurations for guests. Noiseless propulsion, zero emissions and minimal time at the fueling dock offer a superb experience on the water.

“Since 1928, Hinckley has pioneered beautiful, timeless, and highly innovative yachts.  We have a long tradition of innovation in pursuit of the perfect yachting experience.” Peter O’Connell, President and CEO of The Hinckley Company.

With a combination of well-honored heritage, iconic design and cutting-edge technology, Hinckley’s Dasher achieves a new standard of excellence with modern touches and fully electric propulsion.

Porsche is Driving into Digital Worlds

Exclusively created for Porsche customers who are also golf enthusiasts, the Porsche Golf Circle is designed to connect and deliver experiences across both realms.

The Porsche Golf Circle is an app-based community app that allows members to contact other community members directly and find playing partners around the world. More services are planned for the app, such as training tips in the form of digital golf tutorials, as well as help with rules and reports. One of the highlights of the app will be access and information for exclusive events around the world. Anyone who owns a Porsche can join the Porsche Golf Circle.

“Porsche and golf have dynamics, technology and precision in common. In turn, members of the Porsche Golf Circle share a great passion for both Porsche and golf,” says Oliver Hoffmann, Director Experiential Marketing at Porsche AG.

This digital golf network was launched at the “Founding Member Event” at the Penha Longa Resort, near Lisbon, Portugal. Over 180 participants from 16 countries were treated to a very special golfing experience, including two rounds on the Oitavos Dunes and Atlântico courses. The guests also viewed the latest Porsche models on the roads around the Portuguese capital.

All participants of the Porsche Golf World Finals dating back to 2014 were invited as founding members, provided they were still Porsche owners. Following a meeting with legendary American golf course architect, Robert Trent Jones Jr., the Porsche Golf Circle was officially launched at the closing gala dinner.

Porsche has been involved in the world of golf since 1988, through the Porsche Golf Cup – a global amateur series for Porsche customers. In 2015, this commitment was expanded with the title sponsorship of the Porsche European Open, one of the most prestigious tournaments on the European Tour. In the last two years, the Porsche Generations Open was launched, which is a nine-hole tournament series for amateur golfers.

Porsche customers can download the Porsche Golf Circle app free of charge for tablets and smartphones via the App Store (iOS) or the Google Play Store (Android).

Sports & Toys | Ocean Blue World

After winning the world’s first fully-electric FIA Formula E race, the 2014 Beijing ePrix, Lucas di Grassi has appeared on the podium more times than any other driver.

With twenty appearances on the ePrix podium, this Brazilian driver from São Paulo has exploded into the Formula E racing scene.

He finished third in the first season, and took the Season Two title down to the wire, but ultimately just lost out. In Season Three he turned it around again to overcome a 10-point deficit to achieve his Championship victory in Montreal.

Having contended with archrival and former champion Sebastien Buemi since the inaugural Formula E race in Beijing 2014, an ecstatic di Grassi claimed the Championship title on the final day of the double-header.

“You have no idea,” di Grassi said. “We had so many sacrifices but everything counts. I’m so happy!”

The technical relationship with Schaeffler has been a driving force for Lucas di Grassi, which transported him to within mere points in the Season Two final and finally the Championship title in Season Three.

Besides di Grassi’s Championship win, his most memorable race is undoubtedly the 2017 Mexico City ePrix, where he came back to claim an improbable win in one of the most thrilling races in the all-electric series’ short history.

“The race at Mexico showed what Formula E is all about, on track and around the racing itself,” di Grassi told CNN‘s Supercharged show.

He has driven for the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler team, which has been a regular front-runner in Formula E since winning the inaugural race back in Beijing 2014. Di Grassi was the first driver to commit to the series and played a key role in the development of the original spec car that was used in season one. Di Grassi and teammate Daniel Abt have been on board since the first season, with both drivers taking multiple podium finishes.

Di Grassi also took part in a spectacular street demo in Las Vegas. He also became the first man in history to drive a racing car on the Arctic Ice Cap, when he took a starring part in the incredible Project Ice adventure.

As well as racing in Formula E, di Grassi previously spent a season racing in F1 for Virgin, and was also a test driver for the Renault Formula One team.

Courtesy of FIA Formula E.

 

The next Olympic Winter Games will be held from February 9 to 25, 2018 in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, in the Republic of Korea.
PyeongChang was awarded the XXIII Olympic Winter Games by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after receiving a majority vote after three consecutive bids at the 123rd IOC Session held in 2011.
The 2018 Olympics will be the second Olympic Games held in South Korea, after the 1988 Summer Olympics held in Seoul and will be South Korea’s first Winter Games. PyeongChang is the third Asian city selected to host the Winter Games after Sapporo, Japan (1972), and Nagano, Japan (1998).
PyeongChang will be the stage for the opening and closing ceremonies and most snow sports. Alpine speed events will take place in Jeongseon and all ice sports will be competed in the coastal city of Gangneung. The games will feature 102 events in 15 sports. Four new disciplines in existing sports will be introduced including: big air snowboarding, which will replace the parallel slalom; mixed doubles curling, mass start speed skating, and mixed team alpine skiing.