Merry X-mas and Happy 2008 !

(click on pic to enlarge)

We would like to wish you all great holidays and all the best for 2008!

2007 has been a year of changes for us. The most significant one our move to Munich in February/March. Leaving Paris and France after six years has been not so easy (we do miss the most beatiful and romantic city in the world, its cafes, markets, posh restaurants and night clubs big time), although Munich has welcomed us very nicely. We like it here lots, have met excellent people quite fast, not to mention that leaving our new appartment is gonna be once again not so pleasant whenever this happens.

Workwise things did change lots, too. A bit of stress, but I am confident things will move forward faster next year. :-)

Highlights of the year have been: the America's Cup and the Louis Vuitton Cup (a three and a half months event that ended in the most exciting race ever - I was extremely proud of Valencia and its new port), the already traditional Salty Route regatta, the INSEAD five year reunion, Brazil, Paris Hilton B-day party, Moscow, and enjoying Munich either at the riverside or at the Wiesn.

We'll see what surprises does 2008 bring.

Best wishes!

Winter festivals

With the temperatures dropping below cero (brrr) is not a bad idea to visit the several winter festivals and Christmas markets around town. Lots of different ones have popped up everywhere in the city.

With Claudia and Herbert at Tollwood

To keep warm best is to drink hot wine or feuerzangenbowle, although we have also found hot caipirinhas ! urr, didn't dare to try that. :-)

The medieval market at Wittelsbacherplatz

Ernesto, we need your decision

Ernesto Bertarelli, Alinghi's owner, tried to gain some time over the weekend by publishing an open letter about his vision for the America's Cup.

Fact is that this letter comes too late, the time is running out.

In that sense, Larry Ellison, BMW Oracle Racing owner, responded today with another open letter directly asking Ernesto for his decision: Are we going to have a conventional America's Cup in Valencia in 2009?

Ernesto, stop playing ball, it is decision time.

(as previously said, I unfortunately reckon he will decide to go for the 1-on-1 cat race in 10 months. If he wins that, he will be able to do whatever he wants with the Cup)

UPDATE: Alinghi has hired new lawyers as they are apparently considering to appeal...if this happens the America's Cup will be put on hold for months if not years....

St Anton "proper" ski season opener

German TV filming the famous apres-ski austrian atmosphere at Mooserwirt

While in the Pyrenees the snow situation resembles the terrible last season, the Austrian Alps have difficult to beat conditions. Thankfully, we had decided to have our Ski Season Opener 4th Edition in St. Anton, where 230cm of powder were awaiting us. I have hardly found better conditions on the slopes. With a bit more sun it would have been the best ever.

and here some pic effects from Dani & myself (need to improve the format, though)

Brazil footage

Here the promised video from our recent brazilian trip. It covers the marriage of Paulo & Carol in Sao Paulo, the beach days with the INSEAD gang at Barra do Sahy and Maresias, and our road-trip to Paraty, Tiradentes, Petropolis and Rio de Janeiro. Awesome. I already miss the picanha and the caiprinhas. snif.

ah, the video also includes Sabine's try to become a tele-novela star...

Brazilian women and Sabine in Tiradentes

Mirror games with the Christo Redentor at Corcovado

Incredible breakfast location at Castelinho38

America's Cup chess game

The possibility of sipping prosecco at the Mascalzone base in Valencia in 2009 is gettting more and more unlikely.

A huge dissapointment but all rumors these days place an Alinghi-Oracle only America's Cup next summer as the most plausible option. Remember, if there is no agreement, Oracle chooses the boat (cats 90x90) and Alinghi the location (Valencia likely not to be chosen, as a strong windy place would be better for catamarans).

Oracle is officially pushing for a conventional cup in 2009, but since this is the closest Ellison has been of winning the Cup, there are doubts on their real willingness to reach an agreement. To their credit, their proposal to Alinghi looks quite acceptable.

Alinghi on the other side has dissapeared, very strange tactic if you were interested in talking to Oracle... Bertarelli might think he will win no matter what.

Meanwhile, eight challengers sitting on the fence. Their pressure is the only way we might get away from the catamarans race. (Nice analysis here and here)

The clock is ticking. Decision time is nearing. Personally, I think the 33rd edition is going to be a deed-of-gift race just between Alinghi and Oracle. If we get lucky, the 34th edition will be in Valencia in 2011.

X-mas cookies

Sabine organized her traditional Christmas cookies ("Plätzchen") backing this past Sunday afternoon. Men (specially myself) are not allowed in the house during the event. Still not sure exactly the reason behind this, but it might have to do with the vast amount of Glühwein being drunk there.

Anyway, I can't complain. I get to thoroughly taste the cookies afterwards :-)

Ski season opener

With Olivier on the top of Germany

Last week on the beach, this one on the snow. harsh seasonal change. ;-)


Although Dani is coming over for a proper ski season opener next weekend in St. Anton and Ischgl, I couldn't resist Olivier's proposal to christen the season at the Zugspitze glacier. (Zugspitze is the highest German mountain with 2,962m, 80km south from Munich).

It was great, but I cannot move anymore... ufff :-)