Asia Boating Award winners revealed

by IBI Magazine and Sunsail on 26 Apr 2006 Singapore was named Best Asian Maritime City at this year's Christofle Asia Boating Awards, which were held at the Fullerton Singapore last Friday as part of Boat Asia 2006. More than 300 VIP guests attended the awards presentation, including Li Quanhai, Secretary General of the Chinese Yachting Association.

'Singapore's hosting of this second edition of the Christofle Asia Boating Awards further strengthens the event's presence in the region, coming a year after Shanghai staged the first show,' said Olivier Burlot, CEO of Adkom Media Group, organiser of the awards and publisher of Asia-Pacific Boating and China Boating magazines. 'The quality and variety of winners and the superb line-up of guests at this elegant event really puts it among the finest of boating awards shows.'

The winners of the Christofle Asia Boating Awards 2006 were as follows:

* Best Asian Megayacht Builder (100ft Plus) - Raffles Yacht (Singapore-China)
* Best Asian Yacht Builder (Under 100ft) - Horizon Yachts (Taiwan)
* Best Megayacht (100ft Plus) - Galaxy (Benetti, Italy)
* Best Motoryacht (70-100ft) - Ferretti 731 (Italy)
* Best Motoryacht (40-70ft) - Princess 42 (England)
* Best Motoryacht (Under 40ft) - Sea Ray 340 Sundancer (USA)
* Best Sailing Yacht (Under 100ft) - Swan 100S (Finland)
* Best Brand Presence in Asia - Sunseeker (England)
* Best Boat Show in Asia -Dubai International Boat Show (UAE)
* Best Marina in Asia - Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club
* Best Asia-based Charter Company - Sunsail
* Best Yacht Management Services - Simpson Marine
* Best Asian Maritime City - Singapore
* Yachting Event of the Year - Phuket King's Cup Regatta (Thailand)

The Personality of the Year award went to Wang Chaoyong, China Team (America's Cup).

A panel of 16 Asia-based judges chose the 15 winners after the nominations were announced in March.

Sunsail was named Best Asian Charter Company.

Kevin Quilty, Managing Director of Sunsail Thailand, collected the award on behalf of Sunsail who won Best Asia-based Charter Company for the second successive year, the only repeat winner in the awards, which were first held in April 2005 at the China International Boat Show.

In 2006, Sunsail continued to expand their operations in Asia with the introduction of two new bases in Koh Samui (Thailand) and Phang Nga Bay (Vietnam), complementing their existing Asia Pacific bases of the Whitsundays, Phuket (Thailand), Tahiti and Lankgawi (Malaysia).

Further information on Sunsail’s Asia Pacific bases and sailing holiday products can be obtained by contacting Sunsail on tollfree 1800 803 988 (within Australia), tollfree 0800 449 891 (from New Zealand), +66 76 239057 (Thailand), emailing sunsail@sunsail.com.au or visiting the website at www.sunsail.com.au