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Top 100 Yachting Personalities in Asia-Pacific (Hong Kong)

Here are the signature “Top 100 Yachting Personalities” in the boating world in Asia-Pacific highlighted in our recent YACHT STYLE features and expert columns. We also honour the important people in the boating world with short and engaging summaries. Read moreā€¦

Mar 14, 2018 | By Yacht Style

BLANC Paul (HONG KONG)
Blanc set up and manages the Asia Pacific regionalĀ branches of Jeanneau and Prestige yachts. TheĀ company has seen strong sales in Greater China and Blanc who is keen sailor himself is very supportive ofĀ regional races through Jeanneau. In 2018, JeanneauĀ and Prestige yachts should see more expansion inĀ Southeast Asia.

BOYDE Simon (HONG KONG)
A Director of Storm Force Marine, the biggestĀ chandlery in Asia, Boyde is also a keen sailor. He runs the GMDSS Radio courses in Hong KongĀ as well as assisting in the establishment of the Hong Kong Boating Industry Association andĀ is currently the Acting Chair person while the Association is being established.

CHAN Wing Sun (HONG KONG)
CEO of YGM Trading Ltd, Sam races bothĀ 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 SchoolĀ which exists to nurture students for employment in sea-related industries, A regular crewmember on Karl Kwokā€™s Beau Geste. Chiu hasĀ participated in several international regattas and isĀ committed to growing the sport of sailing in Asia. Most notably,Ā he is the long-serving President of the Hong Kong Windsurfing Association, responsible for supporting the substantial successes of the association Lee Lai Sanā€™s Olympic gold medal in Atlanta.

CHURCHOUSE PeterĀ (HONG KONG)
An authority on Asian financial and real estateĀ markets, Churchhouse is renowned on the Asian sailing circuit for putting fun and hospitality intoĀ the Premier Cruising on board Moonblue 2, whichĀ has won several regattas in the region.

CREMERS PeterĀ (HONG KONG)
Cremers is theĀ Executive ChairmanĀ of the Anglo-EasternĀ Group, a world leaderĀ in ship managementĀ (with 630 vessels!), crewĀ management and newĀ building consultancyĀ services to third partiesĀ worldwide. He ownsĀ Shahtoosh, a 75-footĀ sailing yacht, and enjoysĀ cruising and racing inĀ Asian regattas.

DAWSON Colin (HONG KONG)
As a Founding member of the APSA, Dawson is aĀ specialist broker with Expat Marine Yacht InsuranceĀ and is based in Hong Kong (since 1994). ). He is aĀ keen sailor and is often seen on Moonblue 2, whichĀ races in the Premier Cruising Class. Dawson isĀ also an active conservationist, often involved in theĀ San Fernando Race Foundation, a charity assistingĀ underprivileged children.

GRANGE PaulĀ (HONG KONG)
Paul Grange arrived in Hong Kong in 2012,Ā and in 2014 he was awarded Azimut Dealer ofĀ the Year. Grange has 25 years of internationalĀ experience in the industry and joined forcesĀ with Thomas Woo as a partner in Marine ItaliaĀ Ltd, the exclusive Azimut Yachts dealer forĀ Hong Kong,Ā Macau, Guangdong and Taiwan.

HO EdwinĀ (HONG KONG)
Ho is the President ofĀ StarshipYachts, theĀ leading dealer in HongĀ Kong and Macau forĀ Ferretti, Pershing, Riva,Ā Itama, Mochi Craft andĀ Cranchi. Starship hasĀ introduced a number ofĀ notable brands to AsiaĀ over the last 20 years.

TO LizĀ (HONG KONG)
To grew up in Sai Kung and followed her captainĀ fatherā€™s footsteps byĀ obtaining her pleasure yacht captain licenseĀ at 18. With 10 yearsĀ of experience inĀ various sectors of theĀ yachting industry, bothĀ onboard and ashore,Ā she participated in theĀ launch of brokerage YPIĀ operations in Asia withĀ a deep understanding ofĀ Asian clientsā€™ needs.

HUI Gordon (HONG KONG)
Hui introduced Sunseeker into Asia back in 2003Ā and expanded the brand across the region with aĀ network of 15 dealers. The purchase of the shipyard by the Wanda Group in 2013 has seen the brandĀ taking a higher profile in China. Over the last fewĀ years the size and number of Sunseekers in AsiaĀ had hit a record high, with four 40m superyachtsĀ being sold to Asian owners.

KAMINSKI Traugott (HONG KONG)
German born ā€œTKā€ has been in Asia for the past 25 years,Ā importing the first two luxury yachts into China in 2003,Ā building the Sunseeker brand in China as CEO for 10 years,Ā selling yachts to tycoons, including the first above 100-footĀ yacht to Wanda group who eventually acquired the shipyard!Ā After starting Sanlorenzo in Greater China, Kaminski asĀ CEO with partners signed The Italian Sea group ā€“ AdmiralĀ and Technomar brands ā€“ to exclusively represent theĀ shipyard in Asia with ambitious expansion plans ahead.

KIMMAN BartĀ (HONG KONG)
Since 1985, Kimman has built a successful financial career in Hong Kong; the flying Dutchman startedĀ brokerage firm Asia Yacht Services in 2004, merged with Northrop & Johnson in 2008 to become the firstĀ global yacht brokerage in Asia. The firm is activeĀ in ten countries, focusing on the sale and charterĀ of larger yachts. It added French shipyard BaliĀ Catamarans to its portfolio in 2018.

KOO Tiffany (HONG KONG)
Malaysia-born Tiffany, with her very experiencedĀ brother cum mentor (and at times racing rival) Jeremy,Ā won the Malaysian match racing championships. InĀ recent years, she has focused her attention on trainingĀ Chinese sailors and has successfully competed withĀ them in many editions of the China Cup International Regatta. She is also the Asian representative forĀ sailing wear brand SLAM in Asia.

KWOK Karl (HONG KONG)
As a racing yachtsman since 1975, Kwokā€™s currentĀ Beau Geste steed is a Mod 70, which he has beenĀ racing in New Zealand. His prior boats were a TP52,Ā and a Botin 80, which were racing under the sameĀ name. He is the only Chinese skipper to have won the Sydney-Hobart Race on handicap (1997), and is aĀ prior record holder of the 565 nm Hong Kong-SubicĀ Bay China Sea Race (under 48 hours in 2000) and theĀ 315 nm Macau-Sanya Hainan Race (under 24 hours ahead of a 1999 typhoon). He has raced extensivelyĀ in Asia, North America, Caribbean, Europe, AustraliaĀ and New Zealand. A former President of the HongĀ Kong Sailing Federation, he was awarded the Medal ofĀ Honour for contributions to sailing by the Hong KongĀ SAR Government in 2011.

LAI MartinĀ (HONG KONG)
Lai is the only ChineseĀ Powerboat racer andĀ he is developing a newĀ racing circuit in AsiaĀ with a new style racingĀ boat especially designedĀ for Asia. Lai is planningĀ a number of powerboatĀ 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 ofĀ Camper & Nicholsons International in October 2016 andĀ Chairman of Camper & Nicholsons Asia in May 2017.Ā He is CEO of Lai Fung Holdings Limited and ExecutiveĀ Director of Lai Sun Development Co Ltd, eSun HoldingsĀ 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 diverseĀ yachting disciplines focusing on yachts overĀ 30 metres, Lau started her yacht management company in 2013 after working for BenettiĀ Asia. In 2017, she joined Camper & NicholsonsĀ Asia as managing director and board director,Ā providing bespoke comprehensive yacht charter,Ā management and brokerage services to Asian customers around the globe.

LEE Lai San (HONG KONG)
Popularly known as ā€œSan Sanā€, she became aĀ national hero and an inspiration for Asian sailors after winning the windsurfing gold medal at theĀ 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Lee became a recipientĀ of the ā€œTen Outstanding Young Persons Awardā€Ā and the Bronze Bauhinia Star Award in recognitionĀ of her outstanding achievements in theĀ international sports scene.

LEE Seng-Huang (HONG KONG)
The executive chairman of Sun Hung Kai & Co ownsĀ the supermaxi Scallywag (formerly Syd Fischerā€™sĀ Ragamuffin 100) is also the owner and DirectorĀ of the Hong Kong-flagged entry SHK/Scallywag –Ā winner of the 4th leg in the 2017-18 Volvo OceanĀ Race (Melbourne to Hong Kong). He is as wellĀ the principal donor to the Hong Kong SailingĀ Federationā€™s SHK/Scallywag Sailing DevelopmentĀ Programme which, if fully funded, will provideĀ 9,000 days of free education and sailing to lessĀ advantaged children in Hong Kong. Lee hopes thatĀ the programme will help to ā€œpromote competitiveĀ sailing in Asia, and build a long-lasting youth sailingĀ legacy in the region.ā€

LIEU DavidĀ (HONG KONG)
Builder and owner of Hong Kongā€™s firstĀ superyacht, the 64m Van Triumph, whichĀ came from Lieuā€™s own Supercraft yard atĀ Tsing Yi. The yard has also built for a numberĀ of Hong Kongā€™s Admiralā€™s Cup contestants,Ā including a very young Ed Duboisā€™ first FarĀ East commission, Vanguard.

LIEU Michael (HONG KONG)
Fast both on and off the water, Lieu is anĀ internationally recognised racing car driverĀ and establishedĀ Promax Marine in 1992.Ā The company now represents Technohull, ToyotaĀ cruisers, Yanmar, Sunstream boat lifts, Fisher Panda, Sea Gyro and Jet Dock in Hong Kong.

MAHONY PeterĀ (HONG KONG)
With a solid 30 yearsā€™ experience in marketing andĀ sales for some of the largest British boat builders,Ā Mahony was recently appointed General ManagerĀ of Benetti Asia to build the Groupā€™s presence acrossĀ the region. He will be directly managing salesĀ and also responsible for maintaining customerĀ satisfaction levels, as well as after sales andĀ marketing development.

MARDEN Anto (HONG KONG)
Deeply rooted in Asia, shipping industry magnate andĀ long-term sailor Marden becomes affectionate goingĀ onboard his futurist power trimaran Adastra launchedĀ in 2012. The award-winning 42.5m superyacht wasĀ designed by John Shuttleworth for efficient long-rangeĀ cruising and is being used to explore the world.

MONTVALON (de) ThibautĀ (HONG KONG)
Montvalon successfully expanded the presenceĀ of Beneteau, Lagoon and Monte Carlo YachtsĀ brands across the region, with Vietnam operations opened in 2017. Beneteau GroupĀ Asia Pacific runs a network of 30 distributors, from Vladivostok all the way South to NewĀ Zealand, and promotes sailing and motorĀ yachts from 20ft to 130ft.

MARQUES Adriano (MACAU)
Long associated with the boating scene in Macau,Ā Marques was a past Commodore of the Macau YachtĀ Club, and an adviser to the Macau Yacht Show when itĀ was first held at Fishermanā€™s Wharf in 2012. As sailor inĀ the past, Marques is more aligned with motoryachts theseĀ days, and continues to work closely with David ChowĀ who owns the Legend Group.

MILLER Robert (HONG KONG)
American-born British billionaire Robert Warren MillerĀ is the co-founder of Duty Free Shoppers (DFS, sold toĀ LVMH) and a sailing champion. In 2003, his superquickĀ superyacht Mari-Cha IV set a new world record,Ā becoming the first monohull ever to cross the AtlanticĀ Ocean in under seven days, and in 2005, won the Rolex Transatlantic Challenge.

NOYEL Eric (HONG KONG)
As a Mediterranean-raised yachting enthusiast,Ā Noyel started with a luxury charter company inĀ Hong Kong, and today it is one of Asiaā€™s leadingĀ regional operators, with offices in six Asian countries.Ā Renamed ASIAMARINE in 2016, the group offers charter, brokerage, dealership and yacht management;Ā and represents Numarine, Hatteras sports fishingĀ boats and the award-winning Galeon (regional).

PONG Frank (HONG KONG)
As a committed big boat sailor, Pong has raced andĀ helmed a number of yachts (all called Jelik) acrossĀ Asia and has collected dozens of trophies. He wasĀ the first Chinese Commodore of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and continues to be instrumentalĀ in mentoring many Asian and ChineseĀ sailors and isĀ known as the ā€œGodfather of Chinese Sailing.ā€

SIMPSON Mike (HONG KONG)
Founder of Simpson Marine in Hong Kong (1984),Ā now Asiaā€™s leading yacht distributor and brokerageĀ house for luxury yacht brands: Sanlorenzo, Monte CarloĀ Yachts, Beneteau, Lagoon, Viking, and recently Aquila.Ā After consolidating and expanding the groupā€™s businessĀ activities ā€“ with 14 offices across China, Hong Kong,Ā Taiwan, and South East Asia, two superyachts officesĀ in Hong Kong and Singapore, and a Charter and YachtĀ Care Services office in Phuket ā€“ Mike will be focusingĀ more on the growing superyachts division in 2018.

TIRELLI AlessandroĀ (HONG KONG)
As Sales Director of the Ferretti Group Asia-Pacific,Ā Tirelli has been instrumental to the sales and dealersĀ network expansion over the region, with a newĀ exclusive dealership recently signed in IndonesiaĀ with Yacht Sourcing.

TONG Yui Shing (HONG KONG)
President of the Hong Kong Sailing Federation,Ā Tong is also a catamaran and Neckra sailor whoĀ has represented Hong Kong in the Asia Games.Ā He is heading up the Volvo Ocean Race duringĀ the Hong Kong stopover in January 2018.

WONGĀ Hoyen PegasusĀ (HONG KONG)
As the CEO of AcceleraĀ Yachts, Wong promotesĀ the shipyard to ChineseĀ and Asia-PacificĀ markets, associatingĀ technological innovationĀ with branding efforts.Ā As the third yachtingĀ generation, Wong alsoĀ founded the Asia-Pacific Yacht AllianceĀ and chairs the Asia-Pacific Ocean LifestyleĀ Alliance, activelyĀ promoting links betweenĀ the yacht industry and oceanĀ lifestyle.

WOO Thomas (HONG KONG)
Woo purchased his first boat 20 years ago andĀ turned his passion into his business 10 years later.Ā On top of Absolute Yachts, Woo is a Partner andĀ the Managing Director of Marine Italia Ltd, theĀ exclusive Azimut Yachts dealer for Hong Kong,Ā Macau, Guangdong and Taiwan.

WOODMANSEY MarkĀ (HONG KONG)
After his Masterā€™s degree in the UK, WoodmanseyĀ worked on board private and charter sailing yachtsĀ during Mediterranean and Caribbean seasons.Ā He moved to Hong Kong in 2003 and spent over aĀ decade selling yachts for Simpson Marine all overĀ Asia. Woodmansey joined Burgess in 2015 a short yacht broker and Chief Representative for Greater China.

YOUNG AmbrousĀ (HONG KONG)
A brand loyalist, Young is the owner ofĀ Hong Kongā€™s largest superyacht, Ambrosia III, a 65m Benetti ā€“ and fourth superyacht he hasĀ bought from the same shipyard. Young is an active member of SeaKeepers, a society that worksĀ directly with the yachting community to support ocean research and conservation efforts.


 
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