Thursday, September 20, 2007

Cannes, the Croisette, the sea and a brand-new 43-metre mega-yacht ready to make its world debut: the perfect ingredients for an unforgettable celebration. The occasion was the official presentation of the first ship of the new CRN 43 line, the "Emerald Star", unveiled at the Festival de la Plaisance in Cannes.<br /><br />A highly select group of roughly 400 guests was on hand last 14 September, at the "Gala sur la mer", for an exclusive party held by the CRN Shipyard on the beach of the Hotel Majestic Barrière di Cannes. Hosting the evening’s festivities, which were organised in collaboration with the Toywatch brand, was the MTV Vj Kris Grove. The party got underway with an aperitif of champagne and sushi, and it continued with words from CRN Chairman Lamberto Tacoli and from Gianni Zuccon, the architect who designed the CRN 43 line and who was honoured for his work with a limited-edition, ceramic model Toywatch. On hand for the event was the entire top management of the Ferretti Group and its various brands, including Chairman Norberto Ferretti and Managing Director Vincenzo Cannatelli. Making the atmosphere even more inviting was the trio Smoma and its high-energy jazz music. But the key figure at the event was "Emerald Star", docked just a few metres from the beach and, as the party reached its climax, suddenly lit up in all its splendour. <br /><br />Framed by the dark of night, the majestic silhouette of the "Emerald Star", kept hidden up to that moment, was flooded with a vibrant lightshow, charming the guests like a truly regal hostess. And in the background, to celebrate the worldwide unveiling of the yacht, a magnificent fireworks display was set off, sending fountains of light and a multicoloured rain to light up the sky above the massive, white, 43-metre hull. <br /><br />It was a proud, stirring moment for those on hand, who had come to Cannes from all over the world. Some of the owners of the six CRN 43 yachts already sold made the trip to the Riviera in order finally to see what their ships will look like in the water. <br /><br />At the end of the dinner, organised as a highly original, barefoot buffet on the beach and the barge, Lamberto Tacoli announced that awards would be given to the dealers who had already sold the first 6 yachts of the CRN 43 line. Presenting the awards were Ms. Mara Mavilla, President of Toywatch, and Vasco Buonpensiere, Sales Director of CRN. In the course of the celebration, the shipyard also received from the RINA (Italian Naval Registry) a plaque certifying that the CRN 43 line, for size and displacement, represents the largest pleasure craft built from composite materials, in compliance with the RINA’s strictest rules of classification for commercial yachts. <br /><br />From midnight on, the presentation ceremony turned into a full-fledged party, going strong until four in the morning. To the notes of the music mixed by DJ Ben, the guests let loose on the dance floor, in an atmosphere of fun, warmth and verve. <br /><br />In memory of the evening, the guests received, as a gift, a refined timepiece by Toywatch, customised for CRN, and naturally done in pure emerald green, in celebration of the precious spirit of the "Emerald Star".