May 4 in the fabulous surroundings of the Çırağan Palace Kempinski, overlooking the historic Bosphorus waterway, saw the superyacht industry’s finest gather for the eagerly awaited event in the yachting calendar – the eighth annual World Superyacht Awards.
During a gala evening attended by a distinguished guest list of superyacht owners, their families, friends and luminaries of the superyacht industry, news broadcaster Natasha Kaplinsky presented the prized silver Neptune awards to the owners of the finest sail and motor yachts delivered in 2012.
Seventeen coveted Neptunes and three Judges’ Commendation prizes, custom made for the occasion by Baccarat, were awarded to the winners on the night.
Motor Yacht of the Year, sponsored by Camper & Nicholsons International, was awarded to the 47.00m superyacht Loretta Anne.
47m Alloy motor yacht Loretta Anne designed by Dubois
Custom built for an experienced, second-time client of Alloy Yachts, Loretta Anne yacht was designed by Dubois Naval Architects who created an attractively low and sleek yacht.
In practical fashion, the raised pilot house of luxury yacht Loretta Anne is fitted with vertical windows to ensure optimum external visibility, while three sides of the flying bridge can be sheltered by powered, vertically-sliding glass screens. Her modern interior, by Donald Starkey Designs, offers elegance, comfort and sophistication.
Alloy superyacht Loretta Anne - Interior
Sailing Yacht of the Year, sponsored by Tansu, went to the 37.33m luxury yacht Pumula, built by Royal Huisman.
Royal Huisman superyacht Pumula - Photo by Cory Silken
Pumula is the epitome of a modern classic sailing yacht. Built to the highest standards, her exterior lines reflect the beauty of a bygone age. A sea-kindly hull with optimum underwater lines and an easily handled rig with carbon-fibre mast, PBO headstay and Kevlar backstay and in-boom furling, guarantee modern standards of performance and handling.
Her interior offers a large owner cabin aft together with two twin-bed guest cabins, while a further double guest cabin lies forward of the deck saloon and lower deck living area. The Rhoades Young Design interior, designed to match her exterior styled by Dykstra Naval Architects, is executed in light oak, subtly aged to meet the expectations of a classic yacht.
Sailing Yacht Pumula - lower salon - Photo by Cory Silken
The Voyager’s Award, sponsored by Alloy Yachts, was presented to the owners of the 37.33m expedition yacht Marama. In the summer of last year she cruised northwards from Seattle to Glacier Bay, Alaska in a three-month, 3,200nm voyage.
The thoroughness with which the coastline was explored, the experiences enjoyed along the way and, perhaps above all, the manner in which the cruise was documented with the most enchanting (and technically demanding) photographs and video, immediately captured the hearts of the judges.
38m expedition yacht MARAMA
The Legacy Award, sponsored by Proteksan Turquoise Yachts, was awarded to Tom Perkins, for his lifetime services to yachting and, in particular, the development of charter yacht Maltese Falcon – one of the most advanced sailing yachts in the last 100 years.
MALTESE FALCON
Maltese Falcon
Boat International Media would like to thank Gold Sponsor RMK Marine and the event sponsors and partners who have helped to make the 2013 World Superyacht Awards such a tremendous success.
