The past year has seen the coronavirus pandemic force the cancellation or postponement of a raft of superyachting events. For all the latest developments, please check below…
Sydney Festival of Boating
What’s the latest? Originally due to take place at the end of July 2021, Australia's Sydney Festival of Boating has been cancelled due to health and safety concerns. The event had been sold-out.
What they said… “Cancelling the event supports government efforts to get the current outbreak of COVID-19 and its highly contagious Delta under control," said Boating Industry Association (BIA) president Darren Vaux, adding: “it was a difficult decision to cancel the event, especially as there was such strong industry support.”
Superyacht Cup Palma
What’s the latest? The Superyacht Cup Palma, which was forced to cancel last year due to coronavirus restrictions, is set to go ahead June 23-26 as the event celebrates its 25th anniversary.
What they said… "We know there is a yearning for competitive sailing after what has of course been a challenging time for everyone,” said SYC Event Director Kate Branagh. “By keeping the focus out on the water, we know we can meet all local pandemic restrictions, keep owners, skippers, crews and our partners safe, and deliver exciting superyacht racing on what will be our 25th anniversary at the home of Mediterranean superyacht sailing.”
The Mastercard Superyacht Regatta
What's the latest? The Mastercard Superyacht Regatta is to go ahead as planned, with racing taking place from February 23 - 28.
What they said: "With Auckland currently under Alert Level 2 restrictions, we have a planned contingency to run the event safely within the government guidelines (...) We are now ready to move forward with what will be a superb week of superyacht sailing, motoring and social events."
The Millennium Cup
What's the latest? The Millennium Cup, due to take place from 15-18 February, has been postponed due to a rise in Covid cases in New Zealand. The event will now take place from March 28-31.
What they said: “Postponing until late March allows us to still run an excellent event, supported by our sponsors, and our hosts, the Duke of Marlborough Hotel. Organisers expect the event to be well-supported by superyacht entrants post-America’s Cup," said NZ Marine chief executive Peter Busfield.
Virtual BOAT Show 2021
What's the latest? The 2021 edition of the Virtual BOAT Show is now underway.
What they said... "The 2021 Virtual BOAT Show is open for business. This month we're celebrating the thrills and spills of yachting, from epic voyages to intrepid explorers and the yachts set to get your pulse racing..."
Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta
What's the latest? The first notice of the 2021 Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta has been published, confirming the event will take place from June 1-5, 2021. The 2020 edition of the regatta was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
What they said... "Developments in relation to the pandemic and related restrictions will be monitored constantly in order to adapt the schedule for the event accordingly, and to ensure maximum safety for participants."
St Barths Bucket
What’s the latest? The 2021 St Barths Bucket has been cancelled. It is the second consecutive edition of the event to be cancelled due to coronavirus.
What they said…"One by one, over the last few weeks, yacht owners decided that it had become impossible to attend the Bucket in 2021 and that they would postpone participation until 2022. With a committed field of less than five, the collective decision of the race participants had to be acknowledged and accepted by the Bucket Stewards. As a result, the 2021 St Barth’s Bucket is now officially cancelled."
boot Düsseldorf 2021
What's the latest: The 2021 edition of boot Düsseldorf has been cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic. The next edition of the event will take place from January 22-30, 2022.
What they said: Chief executive of venue Messe Düsseldorf, Wolfram N. Diener, said: "We have reassessed the situation with our partners and jointly decided to cancel boot 2021 early. Our priority is the health and planning security of our exhibitors, visitors and service providers. All activities will now be focused on the successful staging of boot 2022."
Thailand Yacht Show
What's the latest: The Thailand Yacht Show, scheduled to take place from February 11-14, has been postponed to later in the year due to a recent outbreak of coronavirus infections in Thailand.
What they said: Chief executive Andy Treadwell said: "Despite the financial hardships this will cause for our suppliers, our exhibitors, and for ourselves too, we are in full agreement with the government’s anti-Covid safety measures, and we will just have to wait for the situation to ease.”
Miami International Boat Show
What's the latest? The Miami International Boat Show, due to take place in February 2021, has been cancelled.
Original date: February 11 -15, 2021.
What they said: "The health and safety of everyone involved in producing, attending and exhibiting at our shows is of utmost importance. Following a thorough analysis of the local market and our safety-first principles, we have decided to cancel this year’s 2021 Miami International Boat Show."
Antigua Charter Yacht Show
What’s the latest? The Antigua Charter Yacht Show, due to take place in the first week of December, has now been cancelled.
Original date: 4-9 December
What they said… "It is with heavy hearts that we announce the cancellation of the 59th Antigua Charter Yacht Show due to the resurgence of Covid-19 and the subsequent risks to all involved in the show. Next year we will be celebrating 60 years since the first Charter Yacht Show in Antigua and we have already started working to make next year's show one with a difference for brokers, captains, vendors and press. We will be sending out these exciting changes in the New Year."
Dubai Boat Show
What’s the latest? The Dubai Boat Show, which was initially postponed from 10-14 March to 24-28 November 2020, has now been cancelled and the 2021 edition will take place on 9-13 March at Dubai Harbour.
Original date: 10-14 March, 2020
New date: 9-13 March, 2021
What they said… "Following close consultation with Dubai Harbour and Dubai International Boat Show stakeholders, Dubai World Trade Centre shall reschedule Dubai International Boat Show to March 2021, when Dubai Harbour will be fully operational to offer the most seamless marina lifestyle experience to all international event participants, yacht owners and residents."
The Superyacht Gathering
What's the latest? The 2021 edition of The Superyacht Gathering will take place from March 24-26.
What they said... "Details will be posted on our website and regular newsletters will keep you informed. Full refunds to all ticket holders will be available in the unlikely event that The Superyacht Gathering has to be cancelled again," organisers said.
Boats 2020
What's the latest? Boats 2020, an alternative to the Southampton Boat Show, has been cancelled less than 24 hours before the start of the show. The show was due to kick off on September 11 and run to September 20.
What they said... British Marine chief executive Lesley Robinson said she was "desperately disappointed that Boats 2020 will no longer be taking place, especially receiving the news at the eleventh hour before opening."
Metstrade
What's the latest? The 2020 edition of Metstrade has been cancelled due to ongoing disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The 2021 edition of Metstrade will take place from November 16-18.
What they said... Metstrade’s maritime director Niels Klarenbeek described the cancellation as “a tough blow” but added that “this is the only right decision we could make.”
Cannes Yachting Festival
What's the latest? The 2020 Cannes Yachting Festival has been cancelled.
What they said... Show manager Sylvie Ernoult said: "It is with our greatest regret and with some misunderstanding that we are forced to announce the cancellation of the Yachting Festival 2020."
The Australian Superyacht Rendezvous
What's the latest? The fourth Australian Superyacht Rendezvous, due to take place from October 15-18, has been postponed. New dates are set to be announced in the future.
What they said... Paul Darrouzet, organiser of Australian Superyacht Rendezvous, said: "The implications of COVID-19, and subsequent international and domestic travel restrictions, financial and logistical issues are beyond our control and we have been left with no other option than to postpone."
The Southampton Boat Show
What's the latest? The 52nd edition of the Southampton Boat Show, due to take place in September, has been cancelled for 2020.
Rolex Swan Cup
What’s the latest? The Rolex Swan Cup, scheduled to take place from September 7-13, has been cancelled.
What they said…"In light of the significant increase in the infection curve and several outbreaks in the Costa Smeralda area and in Porto Cervo in particular, in order to protect the safety and health of our guests, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda has decided - with the support of Nautor’s Swan and Rolex - to cancel the Rolex Swan Cup."
Monaco Yacht Show
What’s the latest? The Monaco Yacht Show has been cancelled for 2020.
What they said…“Ongoing apprehension from some exhibitors and attendees, combined with the fact that much of the superyacht fleet is currently still located in the US and Caribbean, has led to the conclusion that it is in the industry’s best interests to postpone until September 2021." Read the full article here.
Perini Navi Cup
What's the latest? The eighth edition of the Perini Navi Cup has been postponed until September 15-18, 2021.
Original date: September 16-19
What they said... “We believe that postponing the Perini Navi Cup to 2021 is the best possible decision at the moment, although we made it with great regret."
Swan European Regatta
What’s the latest? The Swan European Regatta, due to take place 7-13 July, has been postponed to 2021.
Original date: 18-23 June
What they said…"With more than 100 yachts expected at this year’s event and 31 already registered, it is with a heavy heart that Nautor and Turku have jointly decided to postpone the event to summer 2021. Turku has always been the house for Swans in the Baltic and we feel the need to host this event in the best condition ever, and this is not the right time. We surely will celebrate our Spirit of Swan properly next year."
Venice Boat Show
What’s the latest? The Venice Boat Show, due to take place 18-23 June, was cancelled for 2020.
Original date: 18-23 June
What they said… "Due to the persistence of the Covid-19 epidemic and the recent measures that all countries in the world have been adopting to block international travel, it has been decided to postpone the event to the 2021 edition."
America's Cup World Series - Portsmouth
What’s the latest? The America's Cup World Series Portsmouth, due to take place 4-7 June, was cancelled.
Original date: 4-7 June
What they said… "It is with great regret that the America’s Cup Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, and local organising authority ORIGIN Sports Group announce the unavoidable cancellation of Emirates ACWS Portsmouth. This decision was not taken lightly and now allows all of the teams to focus their attention on their respective operations in their home ports in the coming months while planning logistics for their move to Auckland and subsequent development, testing and preparations for ACWS Auckland (17-20 December), PRADA Cup (15 Jan- 22 Feb) and the America’s Cup Match presented by Prada (6-15 March)."
America's Cup World Series - Sardinia
What’s the latest? The America's Cup World Series Sardinia, due to take place 23-26 April, was cancelled.
Original date: 23-26 April
What they said… "Due to the Coronavirus pandemic and the restrictive measures imposed by various governments the Panel has decided that it has become objectively impossible to hold the ACWS Sardinia – Cagliari event from the 23rd to the 26th of April 2020 and has canceled the event. A postponement of the ACWS Sardinia - Cagliari could only be achieved with the mutual agreement of the Challenger of Record and the Defender. As the Defender was not prepared to agree to a change of date of the ACWS Sardinia-Cagliari, the event is now definitely canceled."
Monaco Grand Prix
What’s the latest? The Monaco Grand Prix, a highlight on the yachting calendar, has been postponed.
Original date: May 21-24
New date: TBC
What they said… “Due to the ongoing and fluid nature of the COVID-19 situation globally, Formula 1, the FIA and the three promoters have taken the decision in order to ensure the health and safety of the travelling staff, championship participants and fans, which remains our primary concern. Formula 1 and the FIA continue to work closely with affected promoters and local authorities to monitor the situation and take the appropriate amount of time to study the viability of potential alternative dates for each Grand Prix later in the year should the situation improved."
Superyacht Show Palm Beach
What’s the latest? The Superyacht Show Palm Beach has been postponed to spring 2021.
Original date: 26-29 March
New date: 25-28 March, 2021.
What they said… “Adhering to government recommendations to suspend all mass gatherings over contagion concerns, we fully support the decision as the health and safety of our visitors, community, exhibitors, staff and vendors is our top priority."
The Superyacht Show
What’s the latest? The Superyacht Show, due to be held in Marina Port Vell Barcelona from 6-9 May, has been cancelled.
Original date: 6-9 May
New date: TBC
What they said… “Due to the widespread health concerns surrounding the current coronavirus outbreak and the resulting restrictions on large-scale events imposed by the Spanish authorities, we regrettably have no option but to cancel the 2020 edition of The Superyacht Show. With a limit on the size of public gatherings and with the safety of all the yacht crew, participants and visitors in mind, this is the only prudent thing to do.”
The Superyacht Experience
What’s the latest? The Superyacht Experience 2020, which was to be held at Rybovich SuperYacht Marina in March, was cancelled.
Original date: 26-29 March
New date: TBC
What they said… “We regrettably have no option but to cancel the inaugural edition of The Superyacht Experience at Rybovich Marina. We had an incredible line-up of superyachts confirmed for the show, overwhelming industry support and strong interest from buyers but health and safety is of course the top priority.”
The Superyacht Gathering
What’s the latest? The Superyacht Gathering, set to take place in Auckland from 25-27 March, was cancelled.
Original date: 25-27 March
New date: TBC
What they said…"It is with a heavy heart that we must inform you that the March 2020 Superyacht Gathering will be cancelled. As I am sure you are all aware, the decision was not made easily but in the current environment, to go ahead would have been irresponsible. We have already discussed organising a Long Lunch in October in which we can enjoy your company, network with guests and listen to one or two speakers."