BLANC Paul (HONG KONG)
Blanc set up and manages the Asia Pacific regional branches of Jeanneau and Prestige yachts. The company has seen strong sales in Greater China and Blanc who is keen sailor himself is very supportive of regional races through Jeanneau. In 2018, Jeanneau and Prestige yachts should see more expansion in Southeast Asia.
BOYDE Simon (HONG KONG)
A Director of Storm Force Marine, the biggest chandlery in Asia, Boyde is also a keen sailor. He runs the GMDSS Radio courses in Hong Kong as well as assisting in the establishment of the Hong Kong Boating Industry Association and is currently the Acting Chair person while the Association is being established.
CHAN Wing Sun (HONG KONG)
CEO of YGM Trading Ltd, Sam races both his TP52 and Flying 15 in international and local regattas. His yacht FreeFire won the 2004 China Sea Race, and Chan continues to successfully campaign his yachts around the Asian circuit.
CHIU Cowen (HONG KONG)
Chairman and Commodore of the Hong Kong Sea School which exists to nurture students for employment in sea-related industries, A regular crewmember on Karl Kwok’s Beau Geste. Chiu has participated in several international regattas and is committed to growing the sport of sailing in Asia. Most notably, he is the long-serving President of the Hong Kong Windsurfing Association, responsible for supporting the substantial successes of the association Lee Lai San’s Olympic gold medal in Atlanta.
CHURCHOUSE Peter (HONG KONG)
An authority on Asian financial and real estate markets, Churchhouse is renowned on the Asian sailing circuit for putting fun and hospitality into the Premier Cruising on board Moonblue 2, which has won several regattas in the region.
CREMERS Peter (HONG KONG)
Cremers is the Executive Chairman of the Anglo-Eastern Group, a world leader in ship management (with 630 vessels!), crew management and new building consultancy services to third parties worldwide. He owns Shahtoosh, a 75-foot sailing yacht, and enjoys cruising and racing in Asian regattas.
DAWSON Colin (HONG KONG)
As a Founding member of the APSA, Dawson is a specialist broker with Expat Marine Yacht Insurance and is based in Hong Kong (since 1994). ). He is a keen sailor and is often seen on Moonblue 2, which races in the Premier Cruising Class. Dawson is also an active conservationist, often involved in the San Fernando Race Foundation, a charity assisting underprivileged children.
GRANGE Paul (HONG KONG)
Paul Grange arrived in Hong Kong in 2012, and in 2014 he was awarded Azimut Dealer of the Year. Grange has 25 years of international experience in the industry and joined forces with Thomas Woo as a partner in Marine Italia Ltd, the exclusive Azimut Yachts dealer for Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong and Taiwan.
HO Edwin (HONG KONG)
Ho is the President of StarshipYachts, the leading dealer in Hong Kong and Macau for Ferretti, Pershing, Riva, Itama, Mochi Craft and Cranchi. Starship has introduced a number of notable brands to Asia over the last 20 years.
TO Liz (HONG KONG)
To grew up in Sai Kung and followed her captain father’s footsteps by obtaining her pleasure yacht captain license at 18. With 10 years of experience in various sectors of the yachting industry, both onboard and ashore, she participated in the launch of brokerage YPI operations in Asia with a deep understanding of Asian clients’ needs.
HUI Gordon (HONG KONG)
Hui introduced Sunseeker into Asia back in 2003 and expanded the brand across the region with a network of 15 dealers. The purchase of the shipyard by the Wanda Group in 2013 has seen the brand taking a higher profile in China. Over the last few years the size and number of Sunseekers in Asia had hit a record high, with four 40m superyachts being sold to Asian owners.
KAMINSKI Traugott (HONG KONG)
German born “TK” has been in Asia for the past 25 years, importing the first two luxury yachts into China in 2003, building the Sunseeker brand in China as CEO for 10 years, selling yachts to tycoons, including the first above 100-foot yacht to Wanda group who eventually acquired the shipyard! After starting Sanlorenzo in Greater China, Kaminski as CEO with partners signed The Italian Sea group – Admiral and Technomar brands – to exclusively represent the shipyard in Asia with ambitious expansion plans ahead.
KIMMAN Bart (HONG KONG)
Since 1985, Kimman has built a successful financial career in Hong Kong; the flying Dutchman started brokerage firm Asia Yacht Services in 2004, merged with Northrop & Johnson in 2008 to become the first global yacht brokerage in Asia. The firm is active in ten countries, focusing on the sale and charter of larger yachts. It added French shipyard Bali Catamarans to its portfolio in 2018.
KOO Tiffany (HONG KONG)
Malaysia-born Tiffany, with her very experienced brother cum mentor (and at times racing rival) Jeremy, won the Malaysian match racing championships. In recent years, she has focused her attention on training Chinese sailors and has successfully competed with them in many editions of the China Cup International Regatta. She is also the Asian representative for sailing wear brand SLAM in Asia.
KWOK Karl (HONG KONG)
As a racing yachtsman since 1975, Kwok’s current Beau Geste steed is a Mod 70, which he has been racing in New Zealand. His prior boats were a TP52, and a Botin 80, which were racing under the same name. He is the only Chinese skipper to have won the Sydney-Hobart Race on handicap (1997), and is a prior record holder of the 565 nm Hong Kong-Subic Bay China Sea Race (under 48 hours in 2000) and the 315 nm Macau-Sanya Hainan Race (under 24 hours ahead of a 1999 typhoon). He has raced extensively in Asia, North America, Caribbean, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. A former President of the Hong Kong Sailing Federation, he was awarded the Medal of Honour for contributions to sailing by the Hong Kong SAR Government in 2011.
LAI Martin (HONG KONG)
Lai is the only Chinese Powerboat racer and he is developing a new racing circuit in Asia with a new style racing boat especially designed for Asia. Lai is planning a number of powerboat racing events in Asia.
LAM Lester (HONG KONG)
In the continuity of his father Dr Peter Lam, Lester Lam was appointed a member of the Board of Directors of Camper & Nicholsons International in October 2016 and Chairman of Camper & Nicholsons Asia in May 2017. He is CEO of Lai Fung Holdings Limited and Executive Director of Lai Sun Development Co Ltd, eSun Holdings Limited and Lai Sun Garment (International) Limited, all part of Lai Sun Group listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. His passion for yachting was developed over the past 20 years as owner of several yachts in both the Mediterranean and Hong Kong for which he obtained related licenses and certifications.
LAU Carmen (HONG KONG)
With over 15 years of experience in diverse yachting disciplines focusing on yachts over 30 metres, Lau started her yacht management company in 2013 after working for Benetti Asia. In 2017, she joined Camper & Nicholsons Asia as managing director and board director, providing bespoke comprehensive yacht charter, management and brokerage services to Asian customers around the globe.
LEE Lai San (HONG KONG)
Popularly known as “San San”, she became a national hero and an inspiration for Asian sailors after winning the windsurfing gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Lee became a recipient of the “Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award” and the Bronze Bauhinia Star Award in recognition of her outstanding achievements in the international sports scene.
LEE Seng-Huang (HONG KONG)
The executive chairman of Sun Hung Kai & Co owns the supermaxi Scallywag (formerly Syd Fischer’s Ragamuffin 100) is also the owner and Director of the Hong Kong-flagged entry SHK/Scallywag – winner of the 4th leg in the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race (Melbourne to Hong Kong). He is as well the principal donor to the Hong Kong Sailing Federation’s SHK/Scallywag Sailing Development Programme which, if fully funded, will provide 9,000 days of free education and sailing to less advantaged children in Hong Kong. Lee hopes that the programme will help to “promote competitive sailing in Asia, and build a long-lasting youth sailing legacy in the region.”
LIEU David (HONG KONG)
Builder and owner of Hong Kong’s first superyacht, the 64m Van Triumph, which came from Lieu’s own Supercraft yard at Tsing Yi. The yard has also built for a number of Hong Kong’s Admiral’s Cup contestants, including a very young Ed Dubois’ first Far East commission, Vanguard.
LIEU Michael (HONG KONG)
Fast both on and off the water, Lieu is an internationally recognised racing car driver and established Promax Marine in 1992. The company now represents Technohull, Toyota cruisers, Yanmar, Sunstream boat lifts, Fisher Panda, Sea Gyro and Jet Dock in Hong Kong.
MAHONY Peter (HONG KONG)
With a solid 30 years’ experience in marketing and sales for some of the largest British boat builders, Mahony was recently appointed General Manager of Benetti Asia to build the Group’s presence across the region. He will be directly managing sales and also responsible for maintaining customer satisfaction levels, as well as after sales and marketing development.
MARDEN Anto (HONG KONG)
Deeply rooted in Asia, shipping industry magnate and long-term sailor Marden becomes affectionate going onboard his futurist power trimaran Adastra launched in 2012. The award-winning 42.5m superyacht was designed by John Shuttleworth for efficient long-range cruising and is being used to explore the world.
MONTVALON (de) Thibaut (HONG KONG)
Montvalon successfully expanded the presence of Beneteau, Lagoon and Monte Carlo Yachts brands across the region, with Vietnam operations opened in 2017. Beneteau Group Asia Pacific runs a network of 30 distributors, from Vladivostok all the way South to New Zealand, and promotes sailing and motor yachts from 20ft to 130ft.
MARQUES Adriano (MACAU)
Long associated with the boating scene in Macau, Marques was a past Commodore of the Macau Yacht Club, and an adviser to the Macau Yacht Show when it was first held at Fisherman’s Wharf in 2012. As sailor in the past, Marques is more aligned with motoryachts these days, and continues to work closely with David Chow who owns the Legend Group.
MILLER Robert (HONG KONG)
American-born British billionaire Robert Warren Miller is the co-founder of Duty Free Shoppers (DFS, sold to LVMH) and a sailing champion. In 2003, his superquick superyacht Mari-Cha IV set a new world record, becoming the first monohull ever to cross the Atlantic Ocean in under seven days, and in 2005, won the Rolex Transatlantic Challenge.
NOYEL Eric (HONG KONG)
As a Mediterranean-raised yachting enthusiast, Noyel started with a luxury charter company in Hong Kong, and today it is one of Asia’s leading regional operators, with offices in six Asian countries. Renamed ASIAMARINE in 2016, the group offers charter, brokerage, dealership and yacht management; and represents Numarine, Hatteras sports fishing boats and the award-winning Galeon (regional).
PONG Frank (HONG KONG)
As a committed big boat sailor, Pong has raced and helmed a number of yachts (all called Jelik) across Asia and has collected dozens of trophies. He was the first Chinese Commodore of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and continues to be instrumental in mentoring many Asian and Chinese sailors and is known as the “Godfather of Chinese Sailing.”
SIMPSON Mike (HONG KONG)
Founder of Simpson Marine in Hong Kong (1984), now Asia’s leading yacht distributor and brokerage house for luxury yacht brands: Sanlorenzo, Monte Carlo Yachts, Beneteau, Lagoon, Viking, and recently Aquila. After consolidating and expanding the group’s business activities – with 14 offices across China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South East Asia, two superyachts offices in Hong Kong and Singapore, and a Charter and Yacht Care Services office in Phuket – Mike will be focusing more on the growing superyachts division in 2018.
TIRELLI Alessandro (HONG KONG)
As Sales Director of the Ferretti Group Asia-Pacific, Tirelli has been instrumental to the sales and dealers network expansion over the region, with a new exclusive dealership recently signed in Indonesia with Yacht Sourcing.
TONG Yui Shing (HONG KONG)
President of the Hong Kong Sailing Federation, Tong is also a catamaran and Neckra sailor who has represented Hong Kong in the Asia Games. He is heading up the Volvo Ocean Race during the Hong Kong stopover in January 2018.
WONG Hoyen Pegasus (HONG KONG)
As the CEO of Accelera Yachts, Wong promotes the shipyard to Chinese and Asia-Pacific markets, associating technological innovation with branding efforts. As the third yachting generation, Wong also founded the Asia-Pacific Yacht Alliance and chairs the Asia-Pacific Ocean Lifestyle Alliance, actively promoting links between the yacht industry and ocean lifestyle.
WOO Thomas (HONG KONG)
Woo purchased his first boat 20 years ago and turned his passion into his business 10 years later. On top of Absolute Yachts, Woo is a Partner and the Managing Director of Marine Italia Ltd, the exclusive Azimut Yachts dealer for Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong and Taiwan.
WOODMANSEY Mark (HONG KONG)
After his Master’s degree in the UK, Woodmansey worked on board private and charter sailing yachts during Mediterranean and Caribbean seasons. He moved to Hong Kong in 2003 and spent over a decade selling yachts for Simpson Marine all over Asia. Woodmansey joined Burgess in 2015 a short yacht broker and Chief Representative for Greater China.
YOUNG Ambrous (HONG KONG)
A brand loyalist, Young is the owner of Hong Kong’s largest superyacht, Ambrosia III, a 65m Benetti – and fourth superyacht he has bought from the same shipyard. Young is an active member of SeaKeepers, a society that works directly with the yachting community to support ocean research and conservation efforts.
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