Cannes show to go on

Cannes Yachting Festival, now the autumn’s biggest boat show, is to go ahead from 8-13 September. As an in-water show on the French Riviera, showing boats in the ideal environment, the exhibition has grown steadily over recent years to establish itself as the premier event for new yacht launches.

Last year the show was divided, with power boats at the main harbour and yachts at the nearby Port Canto. Despite restrictions resulting from COVID-19, the organisers are planning to repeat the enlarged layout, and are promising a strong line-up of boats and equipment.

“The first thing we had to do was to make an interesting, well-balanced show. We have clearly had a reduction in volume because the industry has suffered,” admits show director Sylvie Ernoult. But, she says, most of the big global brands will be bringing yachts in each category, and the larger equipment manufacturers will be returning. Sailing yachts will be in plentiful supply, she promises.

France has strict rules nationally about wearing face masks, and the Cannes show will be no different.