The first edition of the Riviera Water Bike Challenge was a success!
This past Sunday, June 4, 2017, was the Riviera Water Bike Challenge, the first relay race of its kind on water that started in Nice and finished at the Yacht Club of Monaco, after travelling 21 kilometers on Schiller S1-C water bikes. (Race course diagram on the left)
Prince Albert, who is a sports lover, joined the contestants in Nice for part of the race and could be seen water biking along side David Coulthard, with the picturesque city of Nice skyline on the background.
Everybody was a winner
Ten teams of 5-people each, comprising 2 athletes and 3 amateurs took part in the race, including four Ambassadors of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation: Pierre Frolla, Nic Lamb, Jamie Mitchell and Terence Parkin. Princess Charlene, who was at the forefront of this sportive initiative, had trained during several weeks to master water biking, could not take part in the race as planned because she had hurt her wrist during practice. But our beautiful Princess did the honors of participating in the Awards Ceremony kindly giving the prizes, but we saw her swiftly disappearing when Mika Hakkinen started to spray champagne to those in the Podium and everybody around, as it is customary in Formula 1, of course!
HSH Princess Charlene declared: “I have been so touched by the support we have received for the Riviera Water Bike Challenge. Sport has the power to change lives. We have the most beautiful coastline and it’s wonderful to see our Principality hosting this first race of its kind for such a worthwhile cause. To see so many athletes from across the world, representing such a variety of disciplines, partnering with members of our community like this to support my Foundation and enable us to build the first aquatic rescue centre in Burkina Faso is a triumph. Together we will save lives – one person, one family, one community at a time.”
The Fondation Francis-Xavier Mora’s team led by accomplished South African swimmer Ryk Neethling, and rugby player Percy Montgomery who held the record for the largest number of caps for his country at 102, also from South Africa, took two hours and a half to win the Riviera Water Bike Challenge! A real satisfaction for Princess Charlene who had just named Ryk Neethling as Ambassador of the Foundation for his commitment to the children’s cause.
The Monaco Police team captained by former rugby player Dan Luger from England, and former F1 driver Nico Rosberg from Germany, came a close second, and the COCC team lead by Argentine rugby player Esteban Lozada and former F1 driver Mika Hakkinen from Finland, arrived on third place.
The other teams who completed the water bike challenge were:
Monaco Jets
- Luciano Orquera, Rugby, Italy
- Garret McNamara, Surfer, USA
Monte-Carlo Polo Team
- Nic Lamb, Sufer, USA
- Pierre Frolla, Freediving, Monaco
Serenity
- Valerie Nicolas, Handball, France
- Simon Shaw, Rugby, England
Slammers
- David Coulthard, F1, Scotland
- Muriel Hurtis, Athletics, France
Stelios Philantrophic Foundation
- Jean-Baptiste Botti, Jetski, France
- Tiffany Cromwell, Cycling, Australia
The Wine Palace
- Kevin Crovetto, Gymnastics, Monaco
- Paula Radcliffe, Running, UK
Victor
- Valere Germain, Football, France
- Jamie Mitchell, SUP, Australia
The Schiller Bike 100% human powered
For the first edition of the Riviera Water Bike Challenge, the competitors used the Schiller Bike S1-C model, which employs a lightweight, carbon fiber outdrive optimized for hydrodynamic performance in the water.
The S1-C can achieve speeds of approximately 7+ knots per hour (13kph_ depending on rider ability. The bike is ergonomically designed to ensure maximum safety in the water. A blend of state-of-the art design, technology, and engineering, these bikes are sleek quiet, sustainable and 100% human powered, the Schiller S1 is the most advanced water-bike in the world.
Princess Charlene Foundation committed to saving lives
The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation was launch on December 14, 2012, with the primary objective of saving lives by putting an end to drowning. Its mission is to raise public awareness about the dangers of water, teach children to swim while learning preventive measures.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that:
- Drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, accounting for 7% of all injury-related deaths.
- There are an estimated 360 000 annual drowning deaths worldwide.
- Global estimates may significantly underestimate the actual public health problem related to drowning.
- Children, males and individuals with increased access to water are most at risk of drowning.
Furthermore, when a drowning is non-fatal often the victim suffers collateral neurological effects. A number of “Learn to Swim” and “Water Safety” programs have been implemented around the world in order to eradicate the problem. The Foundation’s actions are also based on the values of sport as a discipline, self-respect and respect for others, determination as well as team spirit.
The Foundation’s “Sport and Education” program uses sporting activities as tools to contribute to the well-being and development of all children regardless of their origin or circumstances.From December 2012 through December 2016 more than 307,000 people, mainly children, in 30 countries benefited for these three programs.
Together we can make a difference
The organizers give their heartfelt thanks to the many supporters and participants who made this event possible.
Adamas, ASM, Automobile Club of Monaco, Balkin Estates, Barclays, Coconut Creative, M. Ian Connor, F. Tech, Fairmont Monte-Carlo, Federation Monegasque de Rugby, Mm Tina Green, Julius Baer, Kaplankaya, Lete, Maison Lino, MC Buns McLaren Securities, Minuty, Monaco Asset Management, Naturalicious, Nike Monte-Carlo, Novak Djokovic Foundation, Only Yacht, Orezza, M. Patrice Pastor, M. Mike Pellegrino, Pit Stop, Red Eye Events, Riviera Radio, Rudy Projects, SBM, Schiller Bikes, Thalassa Holdings, Thirty-Nine Monte-Carlo, UBS, Villa Mangiacane, M. Howard Walker, M. Joshua Warren, Wajer Yachts, M. Michael Wittstock, World Class Gym, Yacht Club of Monaco, Yachtzoo.
Today’s Quote
“My foundation is based on helping children, and I hand-pick projects that are close to my heart and home.” H.R.H. Princess Charlene of Monaco
Monaco Reporter 