TWENTY NEW BÉNÉTEAUS

Following the successful launch of the China Cup International Regatta (CCIR) in Shenzhen last October, Simpson Marine is pleased to announce that they have signed a historic five-year sponsorship agtreement with CCIR.

Mr David Zhong, CEO of CCIR, has confirmed Bénéteau as an official ‘Global Partner’ sponsor of the China Cup for the next five years and the sole supplier of new yachts to the sailing event. As an official sponsor of the CCIR, Bénéteau will supply twenty more Bénéteau First 40.7s in time for the next regatta which is scheduled for October 24 – 27 2008. The Bénéteau First 40.7 One-Design fleet will now see over thirty yachts at the start line in 2008 and Bénéteau are also slated to supply a number of additional yachts over the next five years; including Bénéteau Farrdesigned First 40s and other more exotic racing machines. Bénéteau will also be title sponsor for two CCIR sub-regattas.

Mike Simpson, Managing Director of Simpson Marine, says the long-term partnership with Bénéteau is exciting as it will help establish a yachting culture in China and support the development of the wider industry in this young sailing market. “As a sponsor of the China Cup, Bénéteau will make a significant contribution to the development of yachting in China as the sponsorship programme includes training in yacht handling and racing as well as boat maintenance, support from the international media, and recruiting of top
sailors from around the world to compete in this exciting new regatta.”

Simpson Marine, which negotiated the Bénéteau sponsorship, is also an Official Sponsor of the CCIR over the next five years and will provide a range of services from crew training to Bénéteau fleet maintenance at a new base at Longcheer Marina in Shenzhen.

Fishing Charter

Deep sea fishing has never been so easy in Hong Kong thanks to the combined efforts of Asia Yacht Services Ltd (dealers for Grady- White Sport Fishers) and Gold Coast Marina who offer day fishing charters on their Grady-White Sailfish 282. An early start means you arrive at the blue watermark by mid morning and are ready to trawl. Mahi-mahi, skip-jack and yellow-fin tuna, black marlin, sailfish and wahoo are some of the larger species of fish caught on previous trips.

Following on from a successful morning’s fishing there is time to relax at the Po Tois and enjoy a great fresh seafood lunch at one of the local restaurants. The afternoon can offer a run to the Soko islands to experience a more leisurely session of line fishing, and if your luck’s in you’ll spot some of the local pink dolphins.

The return journey in the evening provides opportunity to view the sea eagles and kites along the coastline as they appear for their evening fishing sessions. Day charters are available out of Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club or through Asia Yacht Services.

China Dealership

Alliaura Marine, a worldwide leader in the construction of luxury catamaran yachts, has just finalised a distributorship agreement with one of China’s most well-known boating companies. James Li, President of Speedo Marine, says ‘Alliaura Marine represents a new style of cruising enjoyment in China. The Privilège catamarans are very stable and provide luxurious boating comfort.

The lifting keel version is perfect for approaching shallow waters which are not uncommon on China’s coastline. Alliaura Marine offers a real answer to our challenging market.’ Speedo Marine has five offices along China’s coastline.

Jebsen Marine's New Lines

Jebsen Marine was officially launched during 2008 China International Boat Show, with Atlantis Yachts being the first brand on their books. The company has moved ahead quickly with Olivier Decamps at the helm, and Jebsen Marine has signed up another four yacht brands for both the Hong Kong and China market.

Australian rising star Maritimo was their first choice for a flybridge cruiser. “We were looking for a comfortable multi purpose flybridge yacht, with modern and powerful lines, and we are very excited about importing the first Maritimo Yacht 48 SL into Hong Kong,” says Decamps.

The second brand that the company has acquired is the luxury Riva Group, and Jebsen Marine has the dealership in Hong Kong, Guangdong and Hainan, China. “We feel confident that the market is ready for these quintessential Italian luxury yachts, and have already ordered two yachts,” says Jebsen Group MD Helmuth Hennig who discovered the brand during Genoa Boat Show last year. When they arrive in Hong Kong next January we will perform a launch ceremony for the SportRiva 56.”

The two other brands that are being represented by Jebsen Marine are French racing Archambault and Italian high quality cruising racing Grand Soleil. “Archambautt has one of the best IRC ratings today, and both A35 and A40 just won the competitive Giraglia race in their categories,” says Decamps, “while Grand Soleil offers great racing performance with a total Italian quality and tradition of comfort.”

Floating Functions

The Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club is proud to introduce its unique and popular ‘floating platform function venue’. With over 6,000 sq ft of entertaining space, this unique venue concept is available for a variety of functions ranging from product launches to corporate functions and even weddings. The modular floating platform is capable of accommodating up to 200 persons, and may be configured to suit your requirements within the spectacular Gold Coast Marina. Whether you just need the venue, or a complete package, the Club can assist and are able to provide marquees, furniture, set-up, catering, etc.

Phuket King's Cup

Photo: Guy Nowell

Twenty-two years young, and still at the top of the Asian regatta tree. The Phuket King’s Cup is a hardy annual – it has a well-founded and well-proven programme, and one way or another it is always “good”. If you are a competitor from Asia this may be something to do with the fact that it is regularly the biggest collection of ‘big’ boats in the region – serious racers don’t have a full deck of bragging rights until they have won the King’s Cup. If you are from the UK or Europe, it’s probably a lot to do with the fact that sailing in the Andaman Sea in December is a lot warmer than sailing in the Solent in July (or December).

This year’s edition of the Phuket King’s Cup will take place from 29 November to 06 December. The NOR provides for racing in no less than 13 different classes, ranging from the super-slick, quick and impressive grand prix dragsters in the Racing division to the max-class competitors in the Classics. In between there is something for everyone – no kidding. Bring your own boat and race in one of the IRC divisions. Borrow (sorry, ‘charter’) a boat and sail in the Sunsail or Bareboat division. Add an extra hull and go for a Multihull division. Take your pick.

And no matter what boat you are sailing, turn up for all the parties. Phuket King’s Cup is as famous for its socials as it is for its sailing. Almost every night provides grade A partying at a different venue provided by the regatta sponsors, culminating in a 6-star bash thrown by lead sponsor Raimon Land, a long-time supporter of all things yachting around Thailand. So there’s no reason at all not to be there, right? See you at the end of November.

Asian Publishing Awards

YACHTstyle Asia was awarded top honours for Best in 'Design and Layout' at the recent Asian Publishing Awards held in Singagapre.

Attending the prizegiving ceremony and Gala dinner to collect the award was Barrie Goodridge, Publisher and CEO of Edipresse Asia. Accompanying him were Gilbert Cheah, MD of Singapore Tatler (left) and Ho Sum Kwong, MD of Appetite magazine (right).