The winners of the 9th edition of the World Superyacht Awards will be revealed this weekend and guests of the event are beginning to arrive in the eclectic city of Amsterdam.
Amsterdam plays host to guests of the World Superyacht Awards 2014
The award ceremony, which will be held on the evening of Saturday 3 May, credits yachts across a diverse range of categories including the finest displacement motor yachts, semi-displacement motor yachts and sailing yachts delivered in 2013, as well as refit and rebuilt yachts and owners that have undertaken an extraordinary voyage within the preceding two years. Winning yachts and their owners are set to receive critical acclaim through the presentation of a Neptune trophy, a symbol synonymous with excellence in superyacht build and design.
The judging panel, compiled of twenty experienced superyacht owners, were “quick to acknowledge that every finalist is a magnificent vessel in its own right, and that merely being singled out as a worthy yacht for them to consider is an accolade for its owner, designers and builder” according to Roger Lean-Vercoe, Chairman of the Judges.
In addition to a prestigious gala evening, for which this esteemed group of superyacht owners, industry specialists and creative teams gather, guests are invited to explore the city’s cultural offerings and rich maritime history.
Prominent Neptune Trophies
The event kicks off tomorrow with a glamorous reception hosted by Embraer Executive Jets and the Event Partners at Westerkerk, the city’s striking Dutch Renaissance Church famed for its association with Anne Frank, several renowned Dutch artists and the former Queen Beatrix. The following day the region’s lengthy tradition as a world-leading hub for the superyacht industry is to be explored by attendees of the World Superyacht Awards throughout the weekend.
Guests are to visit the exclusive world-leading shipyards of our five Event Partners; Amels, Feadship, Heesen Yachts, Holland Jachtbouw and Royal Huisman. Each yard will provide tours of their impressive facilities alongside a generous hospitality programme in the run up to the main event.
With five 55m-plus new build yachts at various stages of completion on display, the Project Managers at Amels will guide guests through the production process at the heart of modern Dutch high-value yacht building, before treating them to a lunch of local seafood specialties at a uniquely memorable location.
The Westerkerk, situated next to Anne Frank's famous house, will host a glamorous Welcome Cocktail
Keen to display the beauty and culture of the Aalsmeer lakes and Amsterdam’s canals, Feadship are offering a champagne tasting and lunch prepared by a three-star Michelin restaurant en route to their prestigious facility in a classic saloon boat. On site, visitors will receive a behind-the-scenes tour, letting them into a few secrets underlying the intimate details of Feadship’s craftsmen’s work.
Guests attending the tour of Heesen Yachts’ yard will discover the workmanship behind their all-aluminium motor yachts built to high performance specifications. The yard currently has twelve yachts at different stages of construction which allows attendees of the World Superyacht Awards programme to experience design, engineering and manufacturing processes.
Those opting to join the Holland Jachtbouw tour will enjoy a delightful saloon boat trip and lunch aboard the ‘Dame van Amstel’, a tour of the shipyard, an introduction to their new facilities and some exclusive previews of current and future projects, including a 46 metre Tripp designed sloop.
Guests partaking in shipyard tours will have the opportunity to explore the region's renowned tulip fields
Meanwhile, Royal Huisman are opening the doors to their purpose-built 30,000m2 facility to display the passion for perfection and commitment to technological innovation presented by their fifth generation family run yard. Royal Huisman will demonstrate the way in which they dovetail their own skills and resources with a worldwide network of external maritime specialists through presentation of the bespoke projects currently in build at the yard.
In addition, as part of the World Superyacht Awards programme, Gassan Diamonds and exclusive Dutch supercar manufacturer, Spyker, are hosting tours of their facilities to provide the unique opportunity to display cross-industry high-end Dutch manufacturing. Finally, Esenyacht, Silver Sponsor of the World Superyacht Awards, are pleased to invite all guests to a farewell lunch at Sofitel Legend, The Grand on Sunday after the ceremony in celebration.
The mark of a Neptune trophy is a measure of distinction in the superyacht industry and the announcement of winners is duly highly anticipated.
