By LAWRENCE TAN

Singapore bagged a hat-trick of awards at the Asia Boating Awards 2009, including Asia’s Maritime Capital, at a gala reception held at the Le Royal Meridien Hotel in Shanghai witnessed by Luxury-Insider.com, the only online media invited.

The island nation only came in for mention at last year’s affair with Marina at Keppel Bay getting the nod for Best New Asian Marine/Yacht Club.

Since then, however, Singapore has gone on to become a stopover city for the Volvo Ocean Race, making its first-ever appearance in Asian waters last year. Efforts have also been made to turn the Lion City into a sailing and boating hub, with significant development of yacht clubs and marina facilities.

These efforts have paid off, with ONE°15 Marina Club (which hosted the Singapore VOR stopover) getting the thumbs up for Best Asian Marina/Yacht Club of the Year. Singaporean/Malaysian yacht builder Grand Banks impressed the judges and took home the title of Asian Motor Yacht Builder (51-85 feet).

The China Cup International Regatta, in only its second year, was again named Best Regatta Event of the Year, and looks well poised to establish itself as one of Asia’s biggest yachting events.

Mike Simpson from Simpson Marine accepts his award

“Tonight's event shows how the Asia Boating Awards are unique in that they recognize the efforts being made in this part of the world to develop the leisure marine industry, and to create a new and exciting cruising ground for the world's yachtsmen,” said Olivier Burlot, managing director of Blu Inc Media, publisher of Asia-Pacific Boating and China Boating magazines.

For the complete list of winners of the Asia Boating Awards 2009, please visit www.asiaboatingawards.com

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Asia Boating Awards 2009