Superyacht design awards

The giant superyacht known simply as 'A' is, depending on how you think, either the ugliest yacht in the world or a breakthrough in marine design. Whatever your view, there is no doubting that the yacht is controversial and likely to start a spirited argument in any yacht club bar.

With her sharply-raked reverse sheer bow, 'A' doesn't look like anything else afloat and that clearly impressed the judges at the recent International Superyacht Society design awards, where she won the trophy for the best power yacht 65 metres or longer.

Built by the famous Blohm & Voss shipyard, 'A' was designed by naval architect Martin Francis and the interior design and styling were done by multi-award winning designer Philippe Starck.

The judging panel was made up of 15 of the megayacht world's leading naval architects, designers and brokers.

Other winners were:

Best power 24-40 metres: Allogante, built by Alloy Yachts and designed by Dubois Naval architects with interior design by Donald Starkey.

Best power 40-65 metres: Slipstream, built by CMN, who also did the design. The interior and styling were done by Andrew Winch.

Best sail 24-40 metres: Bristolian, built by Yachting Development with Philippe Briand handling the design and styling. Interior design by Emma Tabone.

Best sail 40-65 metres: Mondango, built by Alloy Yachts. Design by Dubois naval architects and interior design and styling by Raymond Langton.