For the tenth edition of the exclusive Yachting Gala, organised by Azimut|Benetti Group to bring owners together from all over the world, the Group has chosen the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and the gorgeous setting of Porto Cervo in Sardinia.
From America to China and from Brazil to Australia, over 700 owners arrived in Porto Cervo for the weekend of June 24-25, where they had the chance to admire world previews of the new gems in the Azimut collection: the Azimut Grande 27 Metri and the Azimut Grande 35 Metri, which will be making its official debut next September at the Cannes Boat Show. Selected owners were also able to put the remarkable propulsion system developed exclusively by Rolls Royce to the test on the Benetti Fast 125’. Azimut|Benetti Group also showcased the other models in the Azimut and Benetti ranges, with a total of 25 yachts.
At the prestigious Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, which is one of the most famous yacht clubs in the world and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, an “AzimutBenetti Village” was set up for guests to admire and test drive the yachts in the fleet, as well as enjoying the entertainment laid on exclusively for them. They also had a chance to discover Costa Smeralda, with guided tours of the local area, excursions to the most beautiful bays, fine food and wine experiences featuring the local cuisine and Sardinian vermouths, plus the finest local craft products.
An ambassador for Made in Italy, Azimut|Benetti Group united the world’s top Italian lifestyle trend-setters in Porto Cervo.
Sipping glasses of Ferrari Trento, guests were treated to a trunk show organised by ErmenegildoZegna with Creative Director Alessandro Sartori, while a yacht provided the venue for the ladies to admire precious jewellery creations by Bulgari, accompanied by Creative Director Lucia Silvestri. Frette, which curated the decor of the boats on display and created the special one-off colour used for the table linen at the gala dinner, offered guests an exclusive bespoke service, while the designers from Rubelli provided private interior design advice in a lounge with a spectacular sea view.
After the gala dinner held on the Yacht Club terrace, electronic music, digital effects and firework displays provided the backdrop for an evocative night yacht parade to celebrate the present and welcome in the future under the banner of cutting edge technology and Italian style. The virtuoso musical entertainment was provided by pianist Matthew Lee and his eccentric performances.
Presiding over the event was the host Paolo Vitelli, Founder and Chairman of the Group, joined by the new generation of Group managers: Azimut|Benetti Group Vice President Giovanna Vitelli, Azimut Yachts Business Unit General Manager Marco Valle, Benetti CEO Vincenzo Poerio and Benetti Megayachts Business Unit General Manager Christos Ramnialis. A message of continuity for Azimut|Benetti Group, the world’s leading builder of mega yachts, which looks to the future with enthusiasm, while continuing to assert and extend its leadership in the promising giga yacht segment too.
