Inaugural Asian Marine & Boating Awards at CIBS

by Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia on 10 Apr 2010 With 360 exhibitors in the catalogue, the China (Shanghai) International Boat Show is the biggest boat show in China. And the event is also the longest-running show in China, having started 15 years ago in 1996.

To celebrate this anniversary, last night at the opening Gala Dinner CIBS presented the inaugural Asian Marine & Boating Awards. The AMB Awards were described by the organisers as 'designed to be a thank you to all our loyal exhibitors, and an attempt to set a new standard for recognizing excellence in the ever-growing marine industry in China'.

With a panel of judges drawn from local and international marine, boating and lifestyle media, and marine industry professionals, awards were made in 14 principal categories.

The Phuket King’s Cup was voted Asian Regatta of the Year. The judges said, 'to win an award time after time could lead to complacency, but this event constantly strives to improve. Over 100 boats competing on excellent courses, under first class race management.' Accepting the Award, Race Director Simon James added, 'we listen to the sailors and the sailing community to decide how best to meet the needs of our participants. Winning this award inspies us to continue to innovate, and to strive for excellence – so, thank you'.

Yacht Club of the Year for 2010 is the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. 'The RHKYC has been extremely helpful is assisting with the development of sailing throughout Asia. Members regularly move their yachts thousands of ocean miles each year to compete in and support regional regattas, and the RHKYC provides the Race Management for the China Cup in Shenzhen, ensuring that the event is run to the highest possible standards.'

Best Sailing Yacht (<45’). This award went to the new Beneteau 40, successor to the highly successful Beneteau First 40.7. Ten 40s will be appearing in China soon, at Qingdao’s August Sailing Week.

Best Sailing Yacht (>45’). Hanse 545. The judges approved of this 'innovative design, with a powerful modern hull form and the ability to be semi-custom built. A performance boat, in which modular interior construction allows a degree of customization while still at a production price.'

Best Motor Yacht (<40’). 'A boat can seldom be all things to all people, but the Sea Ray 310SDA comes close. Designed for fun, usability and safety on deck – and for comfort down below, this boat demonstrates what can achieved with 50 years of boat building experience.'

Best Motor Yacht (40-75’) This category was awarded to the Azimut 70, 'a yacht to get you there and back again speedily in style, and still be home in time for the opera – be it the Viennese or the Bejing variety. And if you miss the marina gates, there are plenty of berths to accommodate your guests in comfort.'

Best Motor Yacht (>75’) . Sometimes it seems as if 'the bigger they come, the smarter they get' and the Ferretti 88 is no exception to this rule. 'A complete luxury experience for those fortunate to meet her,' was how this boat was described by the judges.

Best Fishing Boat. The Pama 48 is one of the pioneer stories in China boat building. The boatyard was established in 1992, and continues to produce 'solid seaworthy boats'.

Best Dayboat (Sportsboat/Dinghy) A tried and tested design, but the movement of production of the J/80 to China has given this class a shot in the arm – and it has been selected for the Asian Games in China in 2010.

Most Innovative Company. An exceptionally well-deserved award for McConaghy Boats. It requires 'skill, experience in carbon construction, and impeccable QC to produce boats such as the Bladerider and the Mach 2 foiling Moths, not to mention such custom one-offs as the Chinese IACC CHN95, the latest Alfa-Romeo, Ambush and Green Dragon (VO70). THen the OD Melges 20s, and the Elliott 6Ms to be used at the next Olympics. And now they have added Optimists to their range.

'Our order books are full', said Paul Scholten, Production Manager at McConaghy’s Zhuhai yard. 'This is the first time ever that NcConaghy’s have been given an award for anything, and the first time that the company has exhibited at a boat show'. Both items very overdue! 'And did you know that there are over 60 measurement points on an Optimist?'

Asian Boating Capital of the Year. The city government of Qingdao has hosted one Volvo Ocean Race stopover and two Clipper Race stopovers. They have sponsored an entry in the Clipper Race, and maybe most importantly of all they are the first city in China – and as far as we know, in Asia – to include sailing on the school curriculum, making the sport open to any child who wants to 'have a go'.

Most Eco-Friendly Marine Business. All too often this is a buzz-word, but Oz Marine have developed a electric 're-power' system for yachts. When the propeller is in the fixed position, every hour of sailing generates enough charge in the batteries for 15 minutes of motoring. Not quite perpetual motion, but a big step in the right direction.

Best Brand Penetration in Asia. Originally producing a 5.8m river cruiser over 40 years ago, Fairline has since built over 11,000 boats. Fairline now has a regional office in Asia (Singapore), and just today presented the new Fairline Squadron 55 at the Shanghai Yacht Club – the first example of this new model in Asia.

Best Yacht Designer (of a yacht in Asia) . Over the past few years the super-quick designs of Mark Mills have been winning regattas all over the world. Two of them, Ambush and Mandrake, have been doing 'quite nicely' in Asia.

Judges:
Yang Xinfa, President, China Boat Industry & Trade Association
Zhang Peiyua, Chief Editor, China Yachting
Marcus Krall, Editor-in-Chief, Boat Exclusive
Frank Pong, Sailor
Simon Pickering, Marine Consultant
Alistair Skinner, Founder of Shanghai Boat & Yacht Club and President of Team 4 Dragons Marine Co. Ltd.
Suzy Rayment, Managing Editor, Yachtstyle
Guy Nowell, Asia Editor, Sail-World.com
Inge Strompf-Jepsen, Jepsen Designs
Repert Hoogewerf, Founder of Hurun Report