Saturday May 9 saw some of the world’s newest, largest, best designed and technologically advanced superyachts go head-to-head in the marine industry’s most prestigious annual awards ceremony. Boat International Media’s 2015 World Superyacht Awards took place in Amsterdam on Saturday night for its 10th edition, welcoming a who’s who of esteemed designers, builders and owner’s who enjoyed a gala evening and the recognition of the last year’s standout new builds and refits. Here are a few of the big winners…
Arguably the most coveted award of the night went to the striking 73m superyacht ‘Grace E’ which took the title for ‘Motor Yacht of the Year’. This incredible vessel broke new ground when she was launched in 2014 as the largest and most advanced of Perini Navi’s Picchtiotti Vitrivius series and has been widely acclaimed for her environmentally responsible cruising and extensive on board ‘spa deck’. She has since been made available for charter, creating a platform for a lucky few of world exploration like no other.
(Photograph: Burgess)
Sailing yacht of the year went to ‘Win Win’, a 33m vessel built by Baltic Yachts. Perfectly balancing form with function, she caught the judges’ attention with her offering of impressive high-performance racing style combined with luxurious interior living areas. The 47m Royal Huisman sailing yacht ‘Wisp’ meanwhile was recognised as the best ‘Sailing Yacht of 45m and Above’, described by her builders as fulfilling ‘her owner’s brief for a supremely comfortable cruising yacht that may also indulge in some ‘gentleman’s racing’.
One of the most talked-about superyachts of the past year – Kismet – took the prize for best ‘Displacement Motor Yacht of 75m and Above’. This Lurssen built, Espen Oeino designed motor yacht turned quite a few heads when she was anchored in the River Thames for a couple of weeks last November – perhaps due to her imposing 95m LOA, huge bowsprit ornament in the shape of a silver jaguar and on deck basketball court to name just a few reasons. Another highly acclaimed yacht to hit the water recently is Feadship’s 46m Como, which was awarded best ‘Semi-displacement or Planing Two-deck Motor Yacht of 38m and Above’.
Sponsors of the event featured prominent companies from throughout the luxury yacht industry, including renowned builder’s such as Royal Huisman and Feadship, as well as superyacht law firm Clyde & Co who provide expert advice and legal services to owners looking to buy and build. For the full list of this year’s winners click here.
By Dominique Thew
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