The fourth annual World Superyacht Awards took place on Saturday May 16th, 2009, at one of London's most historic venues, Guildhall. Over 500 guests, a number which included 150 superyacht owners and their friends, and pre-eminent members of the superyacht industry, gathered from around the world to enjoy a magnificent gala dinner that was followed by a spectacular awards ceremony and after party.
The most glamorous event on the superyacht calendar, the World Superyachts Awards celebrates excellence in the design and build of these vessels, recognising the dedication and passion of owners and the talents of their builders, naval architects and designers.
An independent panel of judges comprising 13 superyacht owners and two highly respected industry professionals gave unstintingly of their time and knowledge to determine what, in their opinion, were the best yachts of 2008. All of the judges made extraordinary efforts to visit as many of the contending yachts as possible and, following receipt of a 400-page dossier containing a detailed brief on every yacht, they gathered at silver sponsor Maybach's headquarters in Stuttgart in March 2009 to debate and mark every finalist in even greater detail. Each yacht was awarded marks under six headings in a secret ballot and the total of these marks determined the winning yachts.
Silver Sponsors Maybach, Chihuly, Oceanco, Camper & Nicholsons International, Miele Marine, Audemars Piguet, Greenline Yacht Interiors, Camper & Nicolsons Marinas and Vulkan Shipyard all had the opportunity to present an award to winners of their respective sponsored categories.
The winners of the Sailing Yacht of the Year Award, sponsored by Chihuly, and Motor Yacht of the Year Award, sponsored by Maybach, received both a Neptune and a dramatic art piece created especially for the occasion by the world famous glass artist Dale Chihuly. A select number of outstanding finalists received Judges' Commendations and were invited to the stage to receive a Porcelain piece by Nymphenburg. Awards were also presented for the 'Newcomer of the Year', for advances in yacht Technology and to The Young Designer of the Year, an award sponsored by Camper & Nicholsons International. In addition, the Legacy Award was presented to Dion Liveras, in recognition of the contribution made to superyachting by his father, the late Andreas Liveras, who was sadly murdered in last year's Bombay terrorist attack. A full review of the fourth annual World Superyacht Awards will be included in the July issue of Boat International, on sale on 11th June, 2009.
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