Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1075590
15 COMMERCIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 JANUARY 2019 MSC Cruises reveals 'beautiful' line-up for MSC Bellissima's naming ceremony in Southampton With just over one month until MSC Cruises' new flag- ship MSC Bellissima comes into service, the Swiss-based world's largest privately- owned cruise line has revealed details of the all-star line-up for her glittering naming cer- emony on 2 March. The new addition to the MSC Cruises fleet will become the largest ship to be launched in South- ampton. The event will capture the essence of the ship's name Bel- lissima, which means "possess- ing intense beauty, delighting the senses," with a stunning array of live entertainment and performances awaiting the specially invited guests from around the world as well as from across the UK & Ireland – one of MSC Cruises' key markets. MSC Bellissima will feature two brand new Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows VARÉLIA and SYMA and as part of the evening's celebrations, attend- ing guests will be treated to a very special and exclusive Cirque du Soleil at Sea perfor- mance during the ceremony on the pier. Hosting the evening's pro- ceedings as the Master of Cer- emonies will be the English TV presenter and star of ITV, Hol- ly Willoughby. Best known for her current presenting roles on 'This Morning' (ITV), 'Danc- ing on Ice' (ITV) and 'Celeb- rity Juice' (ITV2), she recently joined Dec in the jungle for a once in a lifetime opportu- nity co-hosting last year's 'I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!'. Providing the live music for the evening and getting the audience on their feet will be Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in- ductee and three-time Gram- my Award-winner Nile Rodg- ers and his band Chic. No MSC Cruises naming ceremony would be complete without Academy Award-win- ning actress and MSC Cruises' beautiful godmother Sophia Loren who will perform the traditional ribbon-cutting and officially name the spectacular vessel. MSC Bellissima is the fourth ship from MSC Cruises to launch in less than two years and will be closely followed by MSC Grandiosa in November this year. This next-generation ship will feature some of the most innovative technology at sea with the introduction of the world's first virtual per- sonal cruise assistant ZOE, taking the connected cruise experience to the next level. Other highlights include a new speciality restaurant concept HOLA! Tapas from two-time Michelin-starred Chef Ramón Freixa, a new French special- ity restaurant, l'Atelier Bistrot and a Chocolaterie and Choc- olate Bar from the award-win- ning pastry chef and chocolat- ier Jean-Philippe Maury. The state-of-the-art ship will offer world-class entertainment, the stunning MSC Aurea Spa, outstanding facilities for fami- lies in partnership with LEGO Group and Chicco, the MSC Yacht Club as well as the icon- ic 96 metre promenade with the longest LED sky screen at sea with a shopping gallery fea- turing over 200 brands. MSC Bellissima will depart Southampton on 4 March to commence her 10-night inau- gural cruise to Genoa. From 17 March MSC Bellissima will commence seven-night itin- eraries in the Mediterranean calling in at Genoa, Naples and Messina (Italy), Valetta (Malta), Barcelona (Spain) and Marseille (France). Hamilton Travel Co. Ltd. of 4, St. Publius Street, Floriana are the exclusive General Sales Agents for MSC in the Maltese Islands. For further information, call on 21241292 or www.hamil- tontravel.com.mt THE 2019 Dakar Rally saw over 135 motorcycle riders from all around the world race past 9,000 kilometers through Peru, Bo- livia and Argentina in an effort to claim victory. Leading the way was KTM driver, Toby Price, who suc- cessfully finished the competition with an impressive timing of 33 hours 57 minutes and 16 seconds. Toby Price's triumph for KTM has cemented him into the com- petition's history as a two-time champion of the Rally following his 2016 success. Although KTM were anticipat- ing yet again another victory in the competition, unexpected com- plications just before the event would challenge this expectation. Eventual race victor Toby Price required emergency surgery in his wrist only a few days before the event, following a broken scaph- oid occurring during a training accident, casting him in extreme doubt. "I didn't even expect him to make it to the start line with the wrist injury he had. He had to have it pinned in surgery," Toby's father John Price stated. "It was big task for him to even race, but he was determined to be on the start- ing line. To see him get the win is nothing short of amazing." As team celebrations came to a close, Toby Price stated, "It feels amazing to stand here knowing I have won the Dakar, I don't think it has really sunk in yet", continu- ing to say that "The team put in so much work on the lead up to the event. I knew that when we got here it would have been up to me out there on the track to make it to the finish line in the first place. It feels amazing to be able to reward them all with this result and keep KTM's winning streak going." KTM's first attendance in the competition happened one year after Dakar's foundation; in 1980. While the first few decades of the event frequently saw KTM riders compete, it was only until 2001 that rider Fabrizio Meoni was able to claim victory. In the years that followed the KTM brand has be- come synonymous with success in the Dakar Rally, achieving a total of 18 consecutive years of wins, and frequently having their other riders within the same team finish second and third respectively. The Austrian company boasts some of the best drivers within Dakar Rally's history. Between the years of 2005 and 2015, KTM champions Cyril Despres and Marc Coma battled with each oth- er year after year to both claim five victories each in the competition, making them two of the most suc- cessful drivers ever. Extremely proud of their Dakar Rally 2019 result as KTM domi- nated the podium, finishing first, second and third, Jordi Viladoms, KTM Rally Team Manager, stated "it's been an amazing race with many ups and downs, often stress- ful, but I am extremely proud of the whole team's performance. The rally has been far tougher than expected. Despite being shorter than usual it has included days with a very detailed and well planned strategy, navigation. The level of riding has been so close. To win our 18th consecutive Da- kar is incredible and a lot of it is thanks to Toby, as he won the race even with a lot of pain in his wrist. Personally, I would like to thank KTM for their ongoing support of this rally programme. All of this is only how united the team is to- gether." For anyone who is daring enough to have a close-up look at these speed beasts is invited to visit Fapi Motors Ltd showroom in Attard or call 2339 2328/9 for more infor- mation. One can also e-mail info@ fapimotors.com. Fapi Motors is a Mobility Business Unit within Fa- malco | Building Businesses. KTM triumph at the 2019 Dakar Rally MAPFRE Group collaborates with Fondazzjoni Ejjew Ghandi in aid of victims of domestic violence MAPFRE Middlesea and MAP- FRE MSV Life worked together with Fondazzjoni Ejjew Ghan- di, a non-profit organisation (NGO) that runs a home in Sta Venera, which provides shelter to victims of domestic violence. The principal aim of the NGO is to offer a safe, structured and loving environment whereby its residents are able to provide a safe home for their children whilst going about their daily lives. These women and chil- dren are offered a small flat for a period of approximately 18 months, however the duration depends on the individual case and family care plan. A team of social workers work closely with every member of the fam- ily in order to effectively assess their needs and identify differ- ent ways in which the family can be reintegrated into soci- ety. MAPFRE Group contributed a small share towards these victims of domestic violence by meeting with the residents and taking them out for an early dinner with their children. Due to the financial constraints in- flicted by their current lifestyle, most of the victims rarely find the opportunity to dine out and enjoy themselves. MAPFRE Group funded an evening out for the residents, consisting of ten women and fifteen children together with volunteers from both the NGO and MAPFRE's employees. Entertainment was also provided for the children involved in this activity. Ines Silva, Chief Officer Hu- man Resources at MAPFRE Middlesea said that "Having these brave women sharing with us their experience, always being very positive and helpful regarding the future, should be a lesson for all of us, especially the volunteers involved in this CSR activity." Ines Silva re- marked that the children there "had the opportunity to be a child" yet again. She further highlighted "the awesome work that Fondazzjoni Ejjew Ghandi does, providing a structured and loving environment for those women and children." MAPFRE Group intends on continuing to support this initiative in the future in order help those who find themselves as victims of domestic violence.