AQuiJo, the 86m sailing yacht from Vitters Shipyard & Oceanco, took home the Neptune for Best Naval Architecture – Sailing Yacht for moving into entirely new territory. A ship by virtue of her equipment and gross tonnage – certainly comparable to a large motor yacht in size and displacement – she was created to circumnavigate the globe. This rare yacht was designed by Bill Tripp who specialises in marrying style and comfort with speed and safety. As the leader of the naval architecture panel aptly put it: “She’s an amazing piece of work.”
Thibaud Le Merdy – Young Designer of the Year – Student Designer
The ShowBoats Design Awards also celebrate up-and-coming designers in both the student and professional categories, and this year’s entrants were tasked with providing an outline drawing of an 80m superyacht and more detailed designs for two tenders. The award for Young Designer of the Year – Student Designer, which is intended to encourage and assist talented young designers in becoming part of this exciting industry, was awarded to France’s Thibaud Le Merdy and his design concept Comète, which stood out for its sophisticated combination of modernity and elegance.
Eric Laurent – Young Designer of the Year – Professional Designer
Meanwhile, the award for Young Designer of the Year – Professional Designer went to France’s Eric Laurent and his design concept Hearsay. Above all, the judges complimented Laurent on his hand-drawn renderings, which were the most accomplished among this year’s entries.
Germán Frers – Lifetime Achievement
Finally, the Lifetime Achievement award went to the extremely talented Argentinian Germán Frers. After growing up in racing dinghies and crewing some of the world’s most powerful yachts, it was no surprise when Frers followed his father into naval architecture. Frers moved to Italy in 1989 to design Raul Gardini’s America’s Cup challenger, creating Il Moro di Venezia, the fastest challenger of the new America’s Cup class of yachts. The Frers team joined Prada for the 2000 Cup and the Frers-inspired Luna Rossa also won the Louis Vuitton challenger series. In recent years Germán’s star has shone in the stratosphere of superyachts, including Indio in 2009, 2013’s multi-award-winning Inukshuk and Unfurled, which was named Sailing Yacht of the Year at the World Superyacht Awards 2016. His design portfolio is extensive and his designs continue to inspire others across the industry, making him the worthy winner.
