Pershing : The Cannes Super-Star...

The SILVER LIGHTNING of the seas is at it again...it's time to proudly parade that long Rooster-Tail once more...


...and we have a WINNER !

Pershing...the best performance yachts of all time...has up-ped its marque by winning 3 awards...and in the process created a furore when the Pershing 64 won 2 back-to-back awards at Cannes in the 'The 2008 World Yachts Trophies Gala Dinner'.

...an incredible three awards at the 31st edition of the Festival de la Plaisance!


THE CANNES PARADE

On 13th September 2008, a splendid parade of yachts crowned the 31st edition of the Festival International de la Plaisance in Cannes, one of the most elegant and eagerly awaited events in the worldwide yachting calendar.

For a while a cloudy sky threatened to spoil the atmosphere of the closing gala celebrations, but in the end the dinner and the Yacht Parade all went off perfectly, even surpassing expectations. And for the Pershing yachts the evening was a momentous triumph.

As usual, the Cannes Boat Show closed with the World Yacht Trophy awards. Organised by Yachts Magazine, these awards are presented to the craft the magazine considers to be the best in the yachting world for that particular year. And this year Pershing’s distinctive combination of class and refinement swept the table with no less that three trophies.


In the Open Yacht Under 24 Mt category the Pershing 64' carried off awards for both Best Design and Most Functional Design, raising the Italian shipyard’s enviable prize record to even greater heights.


Then the Pershing 80’ won the trophy for the Most Innovative Boat in the Open Yacht Over 24 Mt category. This trophy was awarded after an appraisal of the craft’s structural design that guarantees superior overall performance and therefore a more luxurious onboard lifestyle for the owner.

It is no coincidence either that the two Pershing models received nominations in almost all categories, including Best Design, Most Functional Design, Best Decor (best internal layout) and Most Innovative Design.


WHY A WINNER...

These yachts boast numerous elements that make them stand out in this increasingly innovative segment.

First and foremost they are constructed using advanced techniques, such as the special Scrimp System fibreglass vacuum moulding process.


They also include a series of refined features that enhance every moment of life onboard, like the slideaway glass partition designed in collaboration with Besenzoni, the extendable and retractable hard top with its twin electric drive mechanism and the Genius gangplank that doubles as a swimming ladder.


And lastly, these craft boast highly original design elements, such as the special open-view maxi window in the Master Cabin, situated in the centre of the boat, which is a remarkably light and airy feature, thanks to the openable porthole set into the glass.


ADVANCED ENGINEERING

The Pershing 80’ and the Pershing 64’ demonstrate how Pershing insists on adopting only the most advanced technology and providing owners and their guests with new ways of surprising the future. This is the spirit that matches these new yachts perfectly with the brand’s new communication campaign: only the greatest ideas come true.


POWER, SPEED, INNOVATION...

A vision that focuses on the new, the unexplored, the yet to come and the need to improve and put oneself constantly to the test. Pershing is all this. Because ideas only become great when they are transformed into concrete actions. When they prove their brilliance by facing reality.


A GALA WITH A SPECIAL CAUSE

'The 2008 World Yachts Trophies Gala Dinner' ceremony was held in the splendid setting of the Hotel Carlton Inter-Continental beach terrace and the spectacular event was attended by some of the most famous celebrities in the world of international yachting.


The Pershing President, Tilli Antonelli, yacht designer Fulvio De Simoni and CEO Fabio Fraternale collected the awards personally, in front of an audience of a thousand invited guests.


This year, the gala evening, organised once again by Michel Karsenti’s Lux Media Group team, included a major new charity initiative. This involved introducing a subscription fee for every boat taking part in the parade, a move that succeeded in raising 41,500 Euros which the Yachts Magazine Group then donated to the ELA (European Leukodystrophy Association), an institution specialised in helping children suffering from muscular dystrophy .

80 AND 64

Pershing chose to enrol its leading models, the Pershing 80’ and Pershing 64’ at Cannes, as the French Salon is a natural continuation from the success enjoyed by the two craft during the Pershing Sea Show, this summer. This highly original event, in its second edition this year, moored in a number of prestige locations including the Milan Furniture Show, Portorose and Palma de Majorca.


At each of these stopovers the spectacular design and features of these splendid yachts succeeded in attracting attention and enchanting yachting experts as well as the press and the general public. Cannes was therefore the ideal place to continue the cruise.

And once again this year the Festival proved to be a not-to-be-missed opportunity for attracting worldwide attention and sizing up sector competitors. After all, this is an event that Pershing has created a very special bond with over the years and this, combined with its unique, prestigious atmosphere makes it the natural choice for celebrating the opening of the yachting season in style.

For more of our coverage on Cannes 2008...click here.
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Riva Debuts 'Royal Member Of The Family' At Cannes

For the opening of the nautical year 2008/09, Riva presented itself at the Cannes boat show with a display of its entire range. From Aquariva Super to 115’ Athena, the 10 models currently in production at the Sarnico and La Spezia shipyards are on show in a parade to celebrate the debut of the “royal” member of the family – the Duchessa. This 92 footer flybridge, presented as a preview to Riva owners during the annual gala dinner in Porto Cervo in August, will grace the stage at the 31st Festival de la Plaisance for the very first time, in the brand new setting dedicated specifically to megayachts.



Revealed to the international press during the press conference held on September 11th, the new 92' Duchessa immediately achieved great success among the visitors come to see her, thanks to her exclusive design that marks another step forward in the history of the shipyard. Moreover, besides the eleventh pearl of the Riva collection, those visiting the boat show had the chance to admire Aquariva Super, Rivarama, Rivale, SportRiva 56’, 63’ Vertigo, 68’ Ego Super (another new model for 2008), 75’ Venere, 85’ Opera Super and 115’ Athena.


Riva’s latest full size yacht, the 92 Duchessa, takes cues from the 115 Athena Flagship as well as incorporates design cues from the legendary Aquarama. The yacht sleeps eight guests in four cabins with a separate section of the boat containing the galley and crew cabins. The entire interior has been designed so that every room and cabin receives plenty of sunlight, the yacht features a room in the bridge deck to stow a 4.2-meter tender and a jet ski. The yacht is powered by two 2200 horse power diesel MTU engines which give it a top speed of twenty nine knots.


The novelties are numerous, both in the exterior design and in the interior layout and fittings, that won't miss to match the requests of the most demanding owners!





For more exciting images of the eleventh pearl click here...
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Cannes International Boat Show 2008 : 31derful

Three days into the one of the world's favourite boat shows...and things seem to be getting only better in France.


With the Mediterranean brimming buzz and activity after waking up from its Summer Slumber...the Cannes Boat Show sets the ball rolling for the yachtsmen and yachting in this region...


CANNES 2008

In what can be considered another epitome of a festival following the Cannes Film Festival...the Cannes Boat Show is able to draw in people from all over the world who feel it is the perfect venue (the scenic French coast) for viewing the most spectacular yachts from all over the world.

Visitors will be flying in from countries near and far to delight in discovering the latest models and outstanding second-hand yachts all aglow in the magical atmosphere that reigns in these two warm and sunny ports.


Situated on the French Riviera the Cannes show offers an enchanting panorama of luxury. In it's 31st year, more than 750 of the world’s finest yachts are expected to be displayed in water this year, with 250 of them being unveiled here for the first time ever.

In fact, when it comes to the number of boats exhibited in water Cannes is one of the three largest shows in the world.


MAGNATE-MAGNET

The Cannes International Boat and Yacht Show is an exceptional business event that brings together exhibitors (boatbuilders, service providers, equipment manufacturers, interior designers, marinas, the press...) and visitors from around the planet. Among the event’s many advantages, exhibitors and visitors alike quickly learn to appreciate the opportunity to try the boats out on the open sea.


This year’s event will see further improvements as the organisers expand the show yet again in their never-ending quest to bring onboard new exhibitors both on land and in the water.

For the first time, the Quai Croisière is being called into service to accommodate more than fifteen lovely huge yachts each stretching over thirty metres, such luxurious maidens as Wesport 130, Broward 120, Riva 115 and 90, Pershing 115...and their will be exhibitor tents to visit on the quay as well. Located just 100 metres from the extension for Super Yachts, a sea shuttle will ferry you there with ease.

Quai Pantiero will be even larger this year thanks to a new pontoon for boats 11 to 17 metres long. Twenty new boats have already registered to exhibit here.

Last but not least, the brokerage section located at Port Pierre Canto is to welcome twenty additional yachts over 25 metres next to the main entrance, on a new quay 72 metres long. A total of 80 yachts, 25 to 60 m will be displayed there.


HIGHLIGHTS 2008

The highlights of the Cannes International Boat & Yacht Show will be updated till the opening of show the next 10th September :-

Wednesday, 10th September

10h00: Opening of the 31st Cannes International Boat & Yacht Show.

Thursday, 11th September

15h00 : Inauguration of the 31st Cannes International Boat and Yacht Show.

Friday, 12th September

20h00 - 22h00: The Cannes International Boat and Yacht Show late evening opening (exhibitors reception opened this year for the visitors with a ticket or an invitation).

Saturday, 13th September

20h00: For the fourth year, the World Yachts Trophies organised with Yachts Magazine will take place on Saturday 13 September at the Carlton Beach and will propose a show of the most beautiful yachts in the world.

The yachts will go out from the Old Port from 9:30 pm and will sail alon the Cannes Croisette : an authentic presentation of the 2008 most beautiful yachts from the greatest shipyards in the world...

60 boats will be nominated in each one of the 15 categories, production and custom, with a classification of the best yachts out from July 2007 to July 2008, by style and by size.

Three special awards will also be given to:

- Interior Decoration
- Design & Innovation
- Jury Special Award

The Jury will be made of 5 journalists from various yachts international newspapers so as from professionnals of the marine industry.

Monday, 15th September

18h00: Closing of the 2008 Cannes International Boat & Yacht Show.


BOATS GALLORE

The number of boats is the best way to measure the credibility of the show...and can you guess the number of boats expected in these 5 days at Cannes...?


757...that's 150 boats a day that you would need to check out incase you want to have a look at every beauty of a boat there...

Enjoy our coverage of last year's show by clicking here.

And to get to know more about this year's FESTIVAL click here.

See you at Cannes today...
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