No sooner were the summer holidays over and it was time for the Contest boat show team to head off to a series of major events in September. From the impressive new city centre location of the HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show to the glamour of Cannes and the successful show in Southampton, we have had a busy time meeting clients and making new friends. What's more, the Contest 72CS made her public debut and was very enthusiastically received.
The HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show moved from its former location in IJmuiden to an impressive new site on the northern banks of the IJ waterway, opposite Amsterdam Central Station. It attracted 26,000 visitors – 35% up on last year – and with splendid weather throughout the six-day event this was the ideal place for us to give a global premier to the 72CS.
As the largest Contest built to date, this spectacular boat was the recipient of a great deal of attention from clients and visitors alike. The general consensus was that the 72CS remains very clearly a Contest in terms of her unrivalled quality, while simultaneously giving a fresh perspective on the Contest design motif. People were full of praise for her flush and clean deck layout as well as the fabulous interior design created in cooperation with Wetzels Brown Partners. ‘Less is more’ is a saying that fits every aspect of the 72CS.
Also on display was the 50CS, which received unanimously positive reactions. The same can be said for our yearly Sails & Cocktails event. Around 100 people attended this party on the Thursday night of the boat show, where they were served oysters, bubbles and other tasty treats.
As you might expect, the champagne was also flowing among visitors to the Cannes Boat Show, where the sun continued to shine on large numbers of visitors. There was a really good atmosphere at this event where we showcased the 50CS and met many potential clients who are seriously considering building a new Contest. Watch this space for more details as and when they emerge!
Last but by no means least, the 72CS also received a splendid reception at the Southampton Boat Show after making her maiden trip from Amsterdam to the English coast. Over the nine days of this extensive exhibition, we welcomed many people onboard the yacht and could see by the reactions just how impressed these visitors were
