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EDITOR’S NOTE
GLEN WATSON
Editor-in-ChiefShould you wish to share your sailing adventures or experiences,
please email [email protected]SUMMER IS HERE in the Northern
Hemisphere and over the next few months
many people are planning to take to the water
in a sailboat, either to rest and explore while
on holiday, compete for an Olympic medal,
battle for racing honours at the yacht club,
or simply enjoy that special feeling when
the sails go up and the engine is turned off.
There’s nothing like it, and Asia Pacific is a
fantastic place to enjoy sailing – even if it’s
also winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
In this issue, there is a Special Feature
about Sailing in Asia – from Vietnam and the
Olympics, to grassroots disabled sailing, and
an Australian boat builder making high-tech
yachts in Zhuhai, China. There is also a Special
Feature about marinas in Southeast Asia.
The Features include a focus on SoftBank
Team Japan, which is competing in the Louis
Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in hopes
of claiming the Challenger role at America’s
Cup Bermuda 2017.
Plastic straws and drinking glasses were recently banned at the Royal
Hong Kong Yacht Club, part of a global effort to reduce the material’s
impact on the environment. The Marine Conservation article explores
the issue of plastic waste what else is being done about it.
Other Features include a look back at Sir Francis Chichester and his
pioneering solo around-the-world voyage 50 years ago, at the age of
65 with only his Rolex Yacht Master to help guide him, and we climb
aboard the Indonesian phinisi superyacht Dunia Baru to find out what
makes her so special. The Destination feature explores Borneo, one of
the more exotic places you can visit in the region.
The Spotlight section begins at the big end of the sailing world with the
recently launched 43m Royal Huisman Sea Eagle that was custom built fora Taiwanese scholar and philanthropist. We also take ride on the CNB 76
and Jeanneau 54 yachts that have begun sailing in Asian waters.
Fans of motor yachts haven’t been forgotten, with sea trials of the
Absolute Navetta 52, Ferretti Yachts 700 Tai He Ban edition, Princess 75,
Majesty 122 and Sunseeker 131.
The Brand Story is about the award-winning Australian company
Multihull Solutions, which is expanding rapidly throughout the region
to keep up with the popularity of catamarans and trimarans.
Elsewhere in this issue you’ll find the usual wrap-up of news about
recent launches, design, races and regattas, boat shows, destinations and
the industry.
Sailing is an exciting and rewarding activity for people of all ages
and abilities. Here’s wishing good speed and fair winds to all those who
choose to enjoy sailing in Asia Pacific, and elsewhere.