In Florence, Italy, the full line-up of sumptuous winners of the World Superyacht Awards were revealed on 16th May 2016 (see list below). Hosted by Boat International Media, and now in their 11th year, the awards celebrate the most outstanding and innovative superyachts from around the world.
Power, speed, technology, usability, cutting edge design and comfort were the criteria that the influential panel of 23 judges were exploring when selecting the finalists.
In the event, 47 of the world’s most renowned boat builders and shipyards from 15 different countries entered the competition, putting forward almost 70 superyachts into this year’s awards.
Big shipbuilding names Feadship, Benetti, Amels, Oceanco, Princess and Vitters battled it out to be recognised for having launched, or relaunched, a standout superyacht in 2015.
THE WINNERS OF THE WORLD SUPERYACHT AWARDS 2016:
Sailing yacht of the year: Unfurled
Sailing yacht (40m +): Unfurled
Motor yacht of the year: Savannah
Voyager’s Award: Latitude
Refitted yacht: Mirage
Rebuilt yacht: Malahne
Rebuilt yachts (judges’ commendation for achievement): Kanaloa
Sailing yacht (30m to 39.99m): Atalante
Sailing yacht (30-39.99m) (judges’ special award for design & performance): Nikata
Sailing yacht (40m) (judges’ special award for design): Topaz
Semi-displacement or planing two-deck motor yacht: Antheya III
Semi-displacement or planing three-deck motor yacht (30m to 40.99m): Divine
Semi-displacement or planing three-deck motor yacht (41m and above):Serenity
Displacement motor yacht of below 500gt (30m to 41.99m): Solis
Displacement motor yacht of below 500gt (30m to 41.99m) (judges’ commendation for design): Rüya
Displacement motor yacht of below 500gt (42m to 46.99m):Genesi
Displacement motor yacht of below 500gt (42m to 46.99m) (judges’ commendation for technology & innovation): Genesi
Displacement motor yacht of below 500gt (42m to 46.99m) (judges’ commendation for design): Moka
Displacement motor yacht of below 500gt (47m and above): Sibelle
Displacement motor yacht of 500gt to 1,299gt:11.11
Displacement motor yacht of 1,300gt to 2,999gt: Savannah
Displacement motor yacht of 2,999gt and above: Symphony
Quality and value award: Nashwan
More about the winners:
Breathtakingly beautiful sailing yachts Unfurled and Atalante triumphed in their respective size categories. Unfurled was crowned sailing yacht of the year thanks to her impressive technological advances, including retractable pods for propulsion. This was the first collaboration between the yacht’s builder, Vitters, and renowned Argentinian racing yacht designer Germán Frers.
The 1930s classic motor yacht Malahne – once owned by renowned film producer Sam Spiegel to serve as his production office and hotel while filming Lawrence of Arabia in Jordan – took home the prize in the rebuilt yacht category. After she was rendered almost unrecognisable by a 1980s refit, her current owner went right back to the beginning to restore her classic lines – an intensive 30 month project.
Mirage was awarded the best refitted yacht accolade, after the entire vessel was redecorated and restored, complete with a new gymnasium and spa pool. For quality and value, it was the 37.3-metre motor yacht Nashwan which captured the imagination of the judges. At $9.5-million, she was deemed extremely good value for her spacious layout and excellent on-board facilities.
The unique voyager's award, which celebrates an adventurous superyacht owner who has taken long distance voyaging and exploration to the next level, went to Latitude’s owner Anil Thadani. A self-confessed polar bear enthusiast, Anil captivated the judges after completing the legendary Northwest Passage around the top of Canada to Alaska and the Pacific Ocean – a near 11,000-mile expedition.
Savannah – considered Feadship's most innovative yacht ever – was awarded the displacement motor yacht of 1,300gt to 2,999gt. She impressed the judges with her distinctive level of craftsmanship, inspirational elegance and stunning underwater lounge – really setting here apart in terms of innovative design. She then went on to win the highly-coveted motor yacht of the year prize.
Photos: Boat International
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