Crowning the 140th anniversary celebrations for the oldest Italian superyacht boatyard, the Azimut Benetti Group invited more than 600 of its most select clients from all over the world to a Yachting Gala, in the splendid setting of Portofino last weekend. It gave guests the chance to see an exclusive preview of the brand new Azimut 80, raise a toast to Benetti, and help charity.
The weekend was full of events and smiles – smiles made even more special thanks to the charity initiative organised in partnership with the Operation Smile Italia Foundation, which is chaired by Santo Versace.
This exclusive Yachting Gala has become a traditional event and was held this year against the wonderful backdrop of Portofino. Over the two days the guests could spend all their time taking part in sea trials and visiting the splendid yachts in this beautiful, unique setting.
Portofino Marina was “branded” with the Azimut Yachts name thanks to a two-year partnership that involves the company based in Avigliana sponsoring the jetties and staff uniforms. At the end of each day dedicated to the fun and the pleasure of sailing there were gala evenings reserved for important celebrations.
Most importantly the Yachting Gala 2013 was also an opportunity for the Azimut|Benetti Group to plan and achieve an important objective: to finance the work of the non-profit Operation Smile Italia Foundation chaired by Santo Versace, by raising enough funds to allow at least 200 children to smile again, and at the same time to give them a new life.
The Foundation consists of volunteer doctors, nurses and health workers who carry out humanitarian missions in more than sixty countries around the world, correcting serious injuries and deformities through plastic surgery.