Ogier the Dane

Ogier the Dane (French: Ogier le Danois or archaically Ogier de Danemarche, Danish: Holger Danske) is a legendary character who first appears in an Old French chanson de geste, in the cycle of poems Geste de Doon de Mayence.

Historical references

The 12th-century Danish chronicler Saxo Grammaticus was not familiar with the character, and Ogier has not been connected to any historic event in Denmark. A chronicle from St Martin's monastery in Cologne claims that the monastery had been pillaged by the Saxons in 778, but that it was rebuilt by "Olgerus, dux Daniæ" ("Olger, War-Leader of the Danes"), with the help of Charlemagne.

Poetry, romances and literature

Ogier the Dane first appears as one of Charlemagne's knights, in Chanson de Roland (written ca. 1060 AD), without reference to any known historical figure. He plays only a minor part in this poem, and his only link to Denmark seems to be his name, Ogier le Danois.

Ogier becomes the main character in the poem Chevalerie d'Ogier de Danemarche (written ca. 1200-15 AD). Here he is the son of the Danish king Geoffrey, who is the enemy of Charlemagne, given as a hostage to Charlemagne. Ogier grows into a heroic character, who begets a son who was slain by Charlot, son of Charlemagne. Seeking revenge, Ogier kills Charlot and is barely prevented from killing Charlemagne, with whom he is at war for seven years. They eventually make peace and Ogier goes to fight at Charlemagne's side against the Saracens, in which battle he slays the giant Brehus.

Sébastien Ogier

Sébastien Ogier (born 17 December 1983, in Gap, Hautes-Alpes, France) is a rally driver for Volkswagen in the World Rally Championship, teamed with co-driver Julien Ingrassia. He is the current holder of the World Rally Drivers' Championship, having won previous titles in 2013 and in 2014. With 32 victories in the World Rally Championship and 3 WRC titles, he is the second most successful French WRC driver, after former Citroën WRC teammate Sébastien Loeb (9 titles). Ogier is married to German TV presenter Andrea Kaiser.

Rally career

Early years (2005-2007)

Ogier’s rally career began in 2005 when he won the French Federation's Rallye Jeunes and was rewarded with a place in the Peugeot 206 Cup for the following season. Teamed with co-driver Julien Ingrassia, he claimed a podium at Terre des Cardabelles and sixth place in the championship along with the Best Rookie award.

In 2007, Ogier won the Peugeot 206 Cup with four victories (Diois, Langres, Causses, Touquet) and two second places (Alsace-Vosges, Limousin). He also won the Rallye Hivernal des Hautes-Alpes. In April 2007, he took part in his first regional rally (Rallye du Quercy) placing third overall in a Peugeot 206 XS.

World Rally Championship

The World Rally Championship (WRC) is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13 three-day events driven on surfaces ranging from gravel and tarmac to snow and ice. Each rally is split into 15–25 special stages which are run against the clock on closed roads.

The WRC was formed from well-known and popular international rallies, most of which had previously been part of the European Rally Championship and/or the International Championship for Manufacturers, and the series was first contested in 1973. The World Rally Car is the current car specification in the series. It evolved from Group A cars which replaced the banned Group B supercars. World Rally Cars are built on production 1.6-litre four-cylinder cars, but feature turbochargers, anti-lag systems, four-wheel-drive, sequential gearboxes, aerodynamic parts and other enhancements bringing the price of a WRC car to around US$1 million (€700,000 / £500,000).

WRC

WRC may refer to any of the following:

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Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo /ˈmɒnti ˈkɑːrloʊ/ (Italian pronunciation: [ˈmonte ˈkarlo]; French: Monte-Carlo or colloquially Monte-Carl, Monégasque: Monte-Carlu) officially refers to an administrative area of the Principality of Monaco, specifically the ward of Monte Carlo/Spélugues, where the Monte Carlo Casino is located. Informally the name also refers to a larger district, the Monte Carlo Quarter (corresponding to the former municipality of Monte Carlo), which besides Monte Carlo/Spélugues also includes the wards of La Rousse/Saint Roman, Larvotto/Bas Moulins, and Saint Michel. The permanent population of the ward of Monte Carlo is about 3,500, while that of the quarter is about 15,000. Monaco has four traditional quarters. From west to east they are: Fontvieille (the newest), Monaco-Ville (the oldest), La Condamine, and Monte Carlo.

Monte Carlo (literally "Mount Charles") is situated on a prominent escarpment at the base of the Maritime Alps along the French Riviera. Near the western end of the quarter is the world-famous Place du Casino, the gambling center which has made Monte Carlo "an international byword for the extravagant display and reckless dispersal of wealth". It is also the location of the Hôtel de Paris, the Café de Paris, and the Salle Garnier (the casino theatre which is the home of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo).