After closing the season with the positive economic results announced during the Cannes Yachting Festival, Azimut|Benetti Group was the star of the gala evening organised to award the World Yachts Trophies.
In addition to the six prizes awarded this year to the novelties presented by the two brands, Azimut Yachts and Benetti, Paolo Vitelli received a special acknowledgement for his “Outstanding Carrier”.
The eighteenth edition of the World Yachts Trophies, organized in Cannes by the prestigious magazine Yachts France, once again recognizes the excellence of Made in Italy and pays tribute in particular to the leadership of the Group owned by the Vitelli family, which continues to bring innovation and creativity to the world of yachting.
In order of increasing size, Azimut Atlantis 45 received the interior design award in the category of yachts between 45 and 64 feet (13.70 and 19.50 meters), impressing the jury with the welcoming and sophisticated atmosphere created by Neo Design in partnership with the Avigliana-based shipyard. Its spacious structure, given by the design will to maintain the kitchen and dinette in the frontage position, boasts great functionality. The yacht features two cabins: the owner’s cabin and a second one in the middle of the boat, with two beds that can be joined together, if required, to make a double bed. A third bed can also be added. And two bathrooms, both with separate shower cabins.
Azimut 78 Fly, the Fly Collection’s new flagship and a new-entry in the CarbonTech generation, won the layout award in the category of boats between 64 and 80 feet (19.50 and 24 meters). This ultra-innovative and hyper-technological boat makes an impression for its design: the futuristic and patinated exterior lines are signed by Alberto Mancini, while Achille Salvagni is the author of the sophisticated interior décor. This prestigious collaboration led to a perfect balance between extremely dynamic lines and very large volumes.
Recognised as one of the most innovative and interesting boats at the Show, the brand new Azimut S8, which won the “Best Evolution Product” award after the surprise announcement of its attendance shortly before the event. Modernity, grit, design and sportiness declined in their most elegant sense are the perks of this 24.63-meter yacht.
The widespread use of Carbon Tech and triple propulsion Volvo Penta IPS takes this yacht to the top level of the technological innovation in its category. The S8’s layout is one of a kind features four cabins on the lower deck and a closed galley on an intermediate deck. The Main Deck concept is an alternation of lounge and dining areas, characterised by seamless continuity extending across the interior and exterior design. The exterior and interior designers are respectively Alberto Mancini and Francesco Guida.
On the left the Benetti FB276 “Metis” and on the right the Azimut Grande S10
The Best Exterior Award for boats between 80 and 98 feet (24 and 30 metres) was won by the Azimut Grande S10. The S Collection flagship is a product of the partnership between Alberto Mancini for the exteriors and Francesco Guida for the interiors. The Azimut Grande S10 is a unique yacht, sporty and classy at the same time: the elegance of the megasailers, the architecture of a modern villa overlooking the sea and the sporty character of the automotive design have been cleverly combined in this 28 metres. These are three elements of great originality and undoubted charm that faultlessly coexist in this yacht and give it a new dimension. Thanks to this uniqueness and originality, Grande S10 won a second prize as “the most innovative boat of the year”. With this model Azimut Yachts has gone beyond the standards of the market segment to trace a new path in the entire sector.
Giorgio M. Cassetta penned the exterior design of Benetti M/Y “Metis”, earning this 63-meter Custom yacht the top step on the podium in the Best Exterior Design category for yachts between 164 and 270 feet (50 and 82 meters). “Metis” design maximize the dynamic proportions of a yacht with an imposing long bow with vertical straight. The author of the external design defines her “a modern and timeless yacht, which reveals large volumes behind fluid lines and innovative peculiarities, such as the private deck. The design is minimal, while maintaining Benetti’s sense of sophisticated elegance”. The Interior architectural is designed by british studio Bannenberg & Rowell, the interior décor is a partnership between the Uk based studio with the german firm Birgit Otte Interior.
Finally, 107-meter Giga yacht Benetti FB277 won the award as “Yacht of the Year” in the category of boats over 270 feet in length (over 82 meters). One of the protagonists of the Benetti Giga Season, FB277 is powered by an electric diesel propulsion system and has interiors and exteriors designed entirely by Benetti. The hull is made from steel and the superstructure from aluminum. The key features include a large pool on the Sun Deck, a grand piano, a spa with hammam, a massage room with a gym, and a touch-and-go helipad. Its maximum beam is 15.2 meters and the gross tonnage is 3,300 tons.
From the outside, its elongated, linear profile emphasized by huge windows is designed for lovers of contemporary, minimal design, while the bow is sculpted to tackle even rough sea conditions with ease and comfort. At the stern, each deck ends with soft lines that extend downwards. The spaces dedicated to guests offer every possible comfort to enjoy during their adventure at sea.
In addition to these product prizes, Paolo Vitelli was presented with an “Outstanding Career” award. The jury wanted to reward his long career as an entrepreneur, driven by vision, product and production system innovation, and great strategic skills at the service of the global marketplace. Paolo Vitelli said: “In this long year of celebrations, we continue to receive awards and acknowledgements from a world that I have always loved and to which I have dedicated the past few decades. The Cannes Yachting Festival in particular has offered us some truly unique moments, with the announcement of our brilliant results last year, the celebration of our 50th anniversary with our international customers at a magical evening event, and our gratification at the great interest and appreciation shown for our latest models, testifying to how the yachts built by our two brands excel in all categories, from 12 up to 100 meters. I could not have imagined a better conclusion for this boat show.”
