The recently completed 8th Asia Boating Awards, organised by Asia-Pacific Boating and China Boating and held this year at the prestigious Grand Hyatt Hotel Ballroom in Hong Kong, offered big wins to the best of the best in the Asian luxury yachting scene.
This year’s event also featured a dazzling array of luxury goods showcased by event sponsors. Chopard staged a fashion show, while McLaren had its new super car MP4-12C on display in the cocktail area. Joining them were event sponsors Deutsche Bank, Dewars, Grey Goose, Henderson Land Development Company Limited and Aon. Also displayed for the first time, was the contemporary new look of the revamped Asia-Pacific Boating magazine.
Mr. Foong Seong Khong, Managing Director of Blu Inc Media Hong Kong, publisher of Asia-Pacific Boating and China Boating, said: “The tremendous support from leading members of the international yachting industry and event sponsors reaffirms Asia-Pacific Boating and China Boating as the leading luxury yachting magazines in Asia”.
The Asia Boating Awards, the most acknowledged awards in the Asian marine industry, is a night that Asia-based yacht builders can bask in the limelight and enjoy some well-deserved attention. Facing up to tough international competition, McConaghy’s Boats, which recently launched the fantastic and fully-custom yacht Adastra from its China yard, took home the prize for Best Yacht Design of the Year, against a field of competitors that included some of the best names in the business.
Hong Kong/South China superyacht builder Kingship and Taiwan yacht builder Horizon were recognised by the panel of judges as the best Asian yacht builders in their categories. For the first-ever awarded prize for Best Asia Built Yacht, the winner was IAG Yachts of Zhuhai for their Italian-styled Electra 100’.
Dutch brands dominated the international large yacht categories, with Feadship and Heesen taking the awards this year for best custom and best semi-custom yachts. UK builder Sunseeker took home the prize for its new 28-metre yacht in the Best Production Motor Yacht Category (24m-40m), which features new wraparound windows in a big departure from the traditional Sunseeker look.
Singapore’s One?15 Marina Club walked off with Best Asian Marina of the Year, beating tough competition from the new Serenity Marina in Sanya, China. Locally, the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club received double honours, first as Best Asian Yacht Club of the Year, and for its staging of the China Coast Regatta, which won for Best Asian Regatta of the Year.
In addition to the many industry VIPs in attendance at the black tie gala dinner, there were numerous guests of honour at the event, including: Mr. Eric Fok Kai Shan, Vice President of the Fok Ying Tung Group; Dr. Cecil Chao Sze Tsung, Chairman of Cheuk Nang (Holdings) Ltd; Mr. Jimmy Tang, Chairman of Prince Jewellery & Watch Company; Clarea Au, Vice Chairperson of the 33rd Term Board of Directors of Yan Oi Tong; Ms. Linda Lin, Chairperson of Lin’s Investment Group; and famous artist Mr. Joe Ma and his wife.
Winners of the Asia Boating Awards are chosen by an independent panel of industry experts familiar with the yachting scene of Asia and internationally. A plurality of votes determines the winners from a shortlist voted on by readers of Asia-Pacific Boating and China Boating magazines.
The Winners of the 2012 Asia Boating Awards
Best Asian Yacht Builder (30m and up)
Kingship, Hong Kong
Best Asian Yacht Builder (15m to 30m)
Horizon, Taiwan
Best Asian Built Yacht
IAG Yachts, Electra 100', China
Best Custom Built Yacht
Feadship, MY Musashi, The Netherlands
Best Semi Custom Built Yacht (30m and up)
Heesen Yachts, MY Satori, The Netherlands
Best Production Motor Yacht (24m to 40m)
Sunseeker, Sunseeker Yacht 28 Metre, UK
Best Production Motor Yacht (15m to 24m)
Riva, 75’ Venere Super, Italy
Best Production Sailing Yacht (15m to 30m)
Oyster Marine Ltd, Oyster 625, UK
Best Production Sailing Yacht (up to 15m)
Beneteau, Oceanis 48, France
Asian Marina of the Year
ONE?15 Marina Club, Singapore
Asian Yacht Club of the Year
Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, Hong Kong
Asian Regatta of the Year
China Coast Regatta
Asia-based Charter Yacht of the Year
Picchiotti Vitruvius MY Exumaa 50m, Italy
Personality of the Year
Y P Loke, Singapore
Print Ad of the Year
Lurssen
Best Yacht Design of the Year
McConaghy Boats, Adastra, China
Best Yacht Designer in Asia of the Year
Axis Yacht Design Group, Italy
Best Asia-based Charter Company
Simpson Marine, Hong Kong
Best Brand Presence in Asia
Azimut-Benetti, Italy
About Asia-Pacific Boating
With a heritage spanning over 35 years, and a reputation among Asia-Pacific’s yachting enthusiasts for being the leading source of news and information on the luxury boating and yachting industry, Asia-Pacific Boating is the most established and respected boating magazine in the region.
www.asia-pacificboating.com
About China Boating
China Boating is China’s first luxury yachting magazine. China Boating reaches the wealthiest Chinese entrepreneurs and tycoons.
www.china-boating.com
About Blu Inc Media
Blu Inc Media is the leading publisher of high-end leisure and industry magazines, including English-language, Chinese-language and bilingual titles. Distributed around Asia and the world, the company’s titles include Asia-Pacific Boating, China Boating, JET Asia-Pacific, AsiaSpa, Action Asia and LP-Luxury Properties.
www.bluincmedia.com
About Singapore Press Holdings
Main board-listed Singapore Press Holdings Ltd (SPH) is Southeast Asia's leading media organisation, engaging minds and enriching lives across multiple languages and platforms. It publishes 18 newspaper titles in four languages and over 100 magazine titles in Singapore and the region. On an average day, 2.92 million individuals or 74 percent of people above 15 years old, read one of SPH’s news publications. SPH’s internet editions of its major newspapers enjoy over 330 million page views with 18 million unique visitors each month. Other new media initiatives include AsiaOne, omy.sg, ST701, Stomp and The Straits Times RazorTV. SPH has also ventured into book publishing, broadcasting, out-of-home advertising and properties.
www.sph.com.sg