Saturday, May 4, in the fabulous surroundings of the Çırağan Palace Kempinski, set overlooking the legendary Bosphorus waterway, saw the superyacht industry’s best meet for the most prestigious 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.
Firstly Southern Spars would like to congratulate Alloy Yachts and Dubois Naval Architecture for their collaborated effort with the 47m superyacht Loretta Anne, winning the Motor Yacht of the Year 2013.
Southern Spars is very proud to once again be involved with many of the World Superyacht Awardees, supplying spars for luxury yacht Rainbow – Sailing Superyacht of the Year in 39m+ range, charter yacht Endeavour – Refitted Sailing yacht of the year, superyacht Hamilton – Judges special award for performance and Quintessential yacht – Judges special award for Catamarans.
Rainbow – Sailing Superyacht of the Year in 39m+ range
“Rainbow’s Southern Spars rig and rigging package goes hand in hand with her sleek lines. She utilises grand prix technology on her rig and rigging that some of the worlds most advanced maxis sport, including the current Volvo 70’s” says Project Manager Olivier Marthe. Her Southern Spars high modulus mast came out of the same mould as Endeavour, at 55.5m it is a little taller than Endeavour and is also equipped with the latest EC6 continuous rigging.
Endeavour – Refitted Sailing yacht of the year
Originally built in 1934 and reduced to being a complete wreck in the 1980s, luxury charter yacht Endeavour’s 2011 re-launch marked the completion of an extensive 18-month refit at Yachting Developments’ yard based in Hobsonville, Auckland. The Yachting Developments’ team has taken extreme care throughout the refit to preserve as much of the vessel as practical while taking advantage of 21st century sailing systems, such as a carbon fibre mast and EC6 carbon fibre rigging package from Southern Spars for enhanced performance and improved functionality.
Endeavour yacht’s future performance will benefit from the significant weight savings – an incredible 900kg on the boom, and three tonne on the rig and rigging from her previous rig – achieved by the Southern Spars’ Custom Projects team based in Avondale, Auckland.
Southern Spars would like to congratulate all of the boat yards, designers and suppliers involved in this years awards.