UCINA, the Italian marine trade association, presented the Boating Pioneers Awards at a recent event at the Abbazia della Cervara in Santa Margherita Ligure. This was the 30th edition of the awards, which recognize executives, craftsmen, designers, and Italian and international journalists who have made “significant contributions to Italy’s vast nautical heritage,” according to UCINA.
The Boating Pioneers Award ceremony was presented by Matteo Zaccagnino, director of Top Yacht Design; along with Paolo Donadoni, mayor of Santa Margherita Ligure; Adm. Nicola Carlone, chief of the maritime directorate of the Genoa coast guard; and Saverio Cecchi, UCINA’s new president.
Giorgio Ettore Donà, president of the SAIM Group, was presented the Manager’s award. The judging committee said that Donà’s concept of coordinated distribution across the luxury boating market offered “highly valued engineering services” for both clients and suppliers. It has also led SAIM to become a beacon for components in Italy and overseas.
Anna Ziliani Scarani, the Rio Yachts entrepreneur, was also presented a Manager’s award. She has worked in the boating world for 50 years, said the panel, “investing in technology, innovation and without ever losing sight of a product’s elegance, contributing to spreading her love for the sea and Italy’s unmatched sense of style.”
Achille Pennellatore was acknowledged in the Craftsmen category. Pennellatore is a forecaster for racing sailors in Sanremo marina. His marine forecasts have been relied upon via radio, television and newspapers. He was also praised for forecasting key racing events, such as Monaco 1997 when he was personally thanked by Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher.
Fulvio De Simoni won the Designer category. He has had more than 3,000 boat designs, including designs for leading shipyards in Italy and around the world, including Astondoa, Austin Parker, Pershing and Rossinavi.
Torsten Moench, editor of Boote magazine in Germany and author of a number of boating guides, was awarded Boating Pioneer among foreign journalists.
Fabio Pozzo, a journalist with La Stampa, has written about marine topics during a long career. He was awarded the prize for Pioneer in the field of Italian journalists.
The Boating Pioneers Award ceremony was established by UCINA in 1988. Sponsored by Italy’s Ministry for Economic Development, it recognizes the commitment, dedication and skills of entrepreneurs, managers, craftsmen, operators and journalists who believe passionately in the boating and yachting sectors.
