BOAT FEATURE
EXCLUSIVE REPORT
CANNES YACHTING FESTIVAL In September 2021, the bay of Cannes was host to the Yachting Festival. Despite Covid restrictions and more elaborate travel requirements, Australian writer-contributor and boating and adventure enthusiast, JAMIE ROBERTS, who is based in Dubai, ventured to France to experience this year’s ultimate rendezvous.
Super Yacht Extensions which staged the world premier of the Bagietto 40M and the Rosetti RSY 38M EXP.
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hile Australia is struggling with COVID outbreaks particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, the rest of the world has begun moving on. After the cancellation of the 2020 event, the 2021 Cannes Yachting Festival has been a tangible sign to the European boating community that life is starting to move on.
Colour and movement were highlights of the Port Canto sail display area.
Wri te r 's Choice
Getting to Cannes this year required careful monitoring of the constantly changing requirements for each country. Several airlines provide up-to-date information on their website that include links to the authorities and regulations in each country on their network. As I am currently based in Dubai, I was not subject to the highly restrictive travel rules affecting the Australian population. In addition, I have benefited from the aggressive rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations that has occurred in the UAE and completed my second dose of Pfizer in July 2021. For travel to France, this meant providing proof that I had received one of the approved vaccinations – Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca (with at least 7 days since the second dose) and Johnson & Johnson (with at least 28 days after the complete dosage). The UAE has made the process incredibly simple. All I had to do was download and print my vaccination certificate from the Health Ministry’s smart phone application. In addition to this, any traveller to France must complete a passenger locator form, which once registered online will generate a QR code that is inspected upon arrival. This registration must be completed before travel commences and must include details such as the address of your accommodation, the flight details and a copy of your passport.
The range of Brabus enhanced boats impressed many who attended
The flight itself was as normal as can be expected during these times. Aircraft movements through Dubai have grown to around half of what they were preCOVID. This meant that the terminal was busy on the Friday I departed. Face masks were required from the time of check in through the whole flight, with the exception being during meal times. Each passenger was provided with a hygiene kit which included sanitiser and spare face masks. Flight attendants reminded passengers to wear a face mask when required and the toilets received more attention than normal, which was a bonus. Once I landed in Nice, everything was relatively normal with the ubiquitous face mask being the only obvious sign that the world is a different place now. I collected my rental car and made my way down the spectacular Cote du Azur to Cannes which was a relaxing 40-minute drive to the west. Other than the presence of the face masks at the Cannes Yachting Festival, you would not know that COVID existed. Once evidence of a negative COVID test or up-to-date vaccination was provided, each attendee was issued a different coloured wristband each day before entry. CANNES YACHTING FESTIVAL 2021 OVERVIEW
YYachts displayed three of their stunning carbon luxury monohulls - the 22m, the 24m and the 30m
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The Cannes Yachting Festival is one of the largest shows on the international circuit showcasing over 600 vessels (140 of those were premieres), staged OCT - DEC 2021
